TV & VIDEO - Aug. 8, 1988

Ending weeks of speculation and denials, a spokesman for Peter Graves confirmed that the actor would reprise the role of James Phelps in its new “Mission: Impossible” series for ABC. Graves, who portrayed the character--the head of the Impossible Missions Force--for six seasons (1968-1973), will be the only member from the original series to return when it begins production Sept. 5 in Australia. Paramount, which is producing both this version and also made the original, is recycling and updating 13 scripts that were produced during “Mission: Impossible’s” earlier run on network television. A source close to the production noted that Graves’ role was really the only one of the five principal roles that could be repeated by a former cast member. Names of the new cast members will be announced shortly.