Mexican television channel Televisa is planning a remake of "Simplemente María," the successful telenovela it produced from 1989 to 1990, and has apparently cast actress Maite Perroni in the role of María López de Carreño, Terra reported.

The show tells the story of a country girl who travels to Mexico City in search of a better future. In the Mexican capital, she begins working as a maid in the wealthy Del Villar household, reigned by the powerful Juan Carlos del Villar.

The 1989 "Simplemente María," which was itself a remake of a late 1960s Peruvian telenovela, launched Victoria Ruffo to stardom. The 52-year-old actress has since appeared in a nearly a dozen shows, including "Abrázame Muy Fuerte," "En Nombre del Amor" and "Corona de Lagrimas."

Perroni, 32, worked with Ruffo in the 2010 telenovela "Triunfo del Amor." Before Perroni's leading role as the new María López de Carreño was confirmed, 38-year-old Irán Castillo had also been rumored to be in the running for the part, according to Novela Lounge.

Meanwhile, speculations are heating up on which male actors will star alongside Perroni in the remake.

Brandon Peniche, known for the 2011 show "Niña de mi Corazón," has supposedly already secured a spot on "María," Novela Lounge said; the 28-year-old actor also worked on "Un Refugio Para El Amor," produced by Ignacio Sada, who leads the team in charge of the remake.

"Many telenovela fans have seen (Peniche) maturing as an actor in the (shows) and have asked for him to be a protagonist," the website judged.

Also in the running seems to be David Zepeda, known for his leading roles in "La Fuerza del Destino" and "Hasta el Fin del Mundo," Terra noted. The 41-year-old may be set to fill the shoes of Manuel Saval, who played Juan Carlos del Villar in the 1989 "María."

The remake is likely to benefit from the original's popularity, but comparisons can also be demanding, the website pointed out.

"The question is whether Perroni can exceed Ruffo's success and whether viewers accept Zapata's new role before the cameras a short time after he replaced Pedro Fernández on 'Hasta el Fin del Mundo,'" Terra noted.