Roseanne is officially coming back to ABC this fall without its titular star in tow.
Roseanne Barr’s racist remarks may have pushed ABC to pull the plug on their popular Roseanne reboot, but it looks like the network isn’t quite done exploring the lives of some of the sit-com’s other characters.
In a press release sent out on Thursday (June 21) evening, ABC announced that they’ve officially picked up Roseanne spinoff that’ll center around the Connor family.
The new series, which has been given a working title of The Conners, has been given a straight to series order and will premiere as part of ABC’s upcoming 2018 fall television lineup.
The synopsis for the new series, which is set reunite returning cast members John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (DJ), reads as follows:
“After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Landford in a way they never have before. This iconic family— Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky, and D.J. — grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America. Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns— with love, humor and perseverance, the family prevails.
The majority of the Roseanne cast might be returning for the upcoming spinoff, but one familiar name who will no longer be involved with the Conners is Barr herself.
Per the press release, ABC is assuring viewers that “Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.”
As we discussed when we first learned that a spinoff was in the works at ABC, bringing the cast back for a show that doesn’t feature Barr as a creative force is certainly a way to make sure others don’t suffer for the actions she alone is responsible for.
It’s also a smart move for ABC who saw a tremendous amount of success in ratings and viewership when the Roseanne reboot premiered this past fall.
As for the cast members set to return for the spinoff, it sounds as though they’re thrilled to get yet another chance to work with each other again.
“We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience,” said cast members Goodman, Metcalfe, Gilbert, Goranson, and Fishman in a joint statement.
“We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter.”
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