Asner headed back to 'Hawaii Five-0'

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Ed Asner is set to reprise his role of August March, the character he played in the original "Hawaii Five-0," in an upcoming episode of the remake, CBS said.

Footage from a 1975 episode in which Asner's character is introduced will be used in the new installment. It will show March as an up-and-coming smuggler. Now a reformed man after serving 30 years in prison for murder, March lives on Oahu and is approached by the Five-0 to assist on a smuggling case, the network said in a synopsis.

"It is thrilling to, for the first time, merge the original 'Hawaii Five-0' and our new show by having the classic, versatile and award-winning actor Ed Asner reprise his role of August March, a character Mr. Asner first played 36 years ago. There is no better way to form a bridge between our reboot and the original series," Executive Producer Peter Lenkov said in a statement.

The new version of the show is in its second season, and stars Alex O'Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, Grace Park and Masi Oka.

Asner is best known for his work on the TV shows "Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Lou Grant."