Back in 1987, it was the movie that melted teenage hearts and inspired countless dance lessons. Dirty Dancing – considered a potential flop during production – went on to become a phenomenon, making millions at the box office.
Now, a sequel has officially been announced. The news is almost as anticipated as the final lift in Johnny and Baby’s guest dance at the Sheldrake. Film studio Lionsgate has confirmed that the beloved classic is getting a follow-up, with Jennifer Grey set to reprise her iconic role as Frances “Baby” Houseman.
What the sequel won’t have is Patrick Swayze. The actor, who played sexy dance instructor Johnny Castle, died in 2009, aged 57, from pancreatic cancer. The idea of Dirty Dancing without Patrick has left fans up in arms. The classically trained dancer had nearly turned down the role due to a knee injury.
Fans are divided over sequel news
“Without Swayze, there’s no point,” commented one fan.
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“Cash grab!”
Another added, “Ugh, let it go. Nobody is interested in Baby as a senior citizen.”
However, others were more optimistic.
“I hope this is a smash hit when it rolls out,” read a further comment.
Revisiting a beloved classic
In addition to starring in the sequel, Jennifer, now 65, will also serve as an executive producer.
She says of her iconic character, “I’ve long wondered where we might find Baby years later and what her life might be like. “It’s taken time to assemble the kind of people I felt could be entrusted to build on the legacy of the original. I’m excited to say the wait will soon be over.”
Though the plot for the sequel remains under lock and key, it’ll no doubt have fans feeling nostalgic for the first one. Set at Kellerman’s Resort in 1963, the original follows sheltered 17-year-old Baby as she meets working-class dancer Johnny. When his partner Penny gets unexpectedly pregnant, Baby steps in, sparking a forbidden romance defined by class divides and social change.
The truth behind the chemistry
Ironically, the on-screen chemistry between Jennifer and Patrick masked a more complicated off-screen dynamic. In his 2009 memoir, The Time Of My Life, Patrick described tensions during filming, writing that his co-star could be emotional and occasionally disrupted scenes with laughter. Yet those frictions may have fuelled the magic.
“Sometimes it was conflict, sometimes it was love,” choreographer Kenny Ortega said in 2017.
“There was something between the two of them that was unexplainable. They were human fireworks.”
One of the film’s most iconic moments – the lake scene where Johnny and Baby practise the lift – was far from glamorous. Filmed in late autumn, the water was so cold, the actors’ lips turned blue.
A 40th anniversary celebration
“It was horrifyingly cold, and we filmed that scene over and over,” recalled Patrick.
“When you’re lifting someone in water, even the skinniest little girl can feel like 500 pounds [227kg].”
With the sequel slated for release in 2027 to coincide with the film’s 40th anniversary, Jennifer says, “You never try to repeat something that was magic – you just go for something different.”
Johnny Castle
Played by Patrick Swayze
The actor’s turn as Johnny was the start of his reign as a heartthrob and action star, with roles in Ghost, Point Break and Donnie Darko following. After his death, his Hollywood peers paid tribute to him at the 2010 Oscars.
Penny Johnson
Played by Cynthia Rhodes
Cynthia starred in Flashdance prior to Dirty Dancing, but by the early ’90s, she’d retired from acting to focus on her family. She was married to singer Richard Marx for 25 years, until 2014. They share sons Lucas, Jesse and Brandon.
Lisa Houseman
Played by Jane Brucker
Baby’s vain older sister Lisa put in a memorable performance as “Hula Hana” at the talent show. In real life, the role was Jane’s most notable. She actually wrote that song, but only got credit when Dirty Dancing was adapted into a musical.
Marjorie & Jake Houseman
Played by Kelly Bishop & Jerry Orbach
The actors who played Baby’s parents had big careers – Kelly went on to star as matriarch Emily in TV hit Gilmore Girls, while Jerry had a 12 year run on Law & Order. After his death in 2004, he had a street in New York named after him.
Neil Kellerman
Played by Lonny Price
lonny went from playing a resort owner’s son with an unrequited crush to finding success behind the camera. He’s directed episodes of Desperate Housewives and 2 Broke Girls, and is set to helm Dirty Dancing: The Musical for the stage.
Robbie Gould
Played by Max Cantor
Max followed up his turn as womanising waiter Robbie with a role in 1989 film Fear, Anxiety And Depression, before pivoting careers to investigative journalism. Sadly, he died from a drug overdose in 1991 at just 32.
