Yes, this IS the Beauty and the Beast that is meant to be a reboot of the 1980s series with Ron Perlman and Linda Hamilton. There are clearly quite a few differences between that series and this one, however, including the very different backstory for the “beast,” played by Jay Ryan. Happily, we’re going to be getting that info right off the bat, as you’ll see in this new extended trailer:

So, it’s looking a little bit more like The Vampire Diaries and less like Supernatural – I’m sure it’s no coincidence that it follows The Vampire Diaries on Thursday nights – but I’ll definitely be giving this one a chance and hoping we get more of the great action and less of the whiny music. Bring it!

Beauty and the Beast, starring Kristin Kreuk, Jay Ryan, Max Brown, Nina Lisandrello, Nicole Gale Anderson, Austin Basis, and Brian White, will air Thursdays at 9 on The CW.