ABC Announces New ‘Roseanne’ Spin-Off ‘The Conners’
Following the cancellation of ABC’s “Roseanne” reboot, it appears The Conner family will continue to be on our televisions — just without the show’s matriarch.
ABC announced that a new spin-off series with the working title “The Conners” will debut on the network sometime this fall. While the majority of the family will be there — Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. — Roseanne Barr will not.
ABC said the series, which already has an order of 10 episodes, will see the family after a “sudden turn of events” in which the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in a way they never have before. The show will see them grapple with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws.
ABC isn’t revealing just what the turn of events is that leads to Barr not being on the show. But the network has confirmed she will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series. The series is set to air Tuesdays at 8 p.m., but ABC hasn’t announced an official release date.
“The Conners’ stories demonstrate that families can always find common ground through conversation, laughter and love,” ABC said in a statement. “The spinoff will continue to portray contemporary issues that are as relevant today as they were 30 years ago.”
The news of the spin-off comes weeks after the “Roseanne” reboot was canceled following a racist tweet from Barr about political adviser Valerie Jarrett. While Barr later deleted the tweet and apologized, ABC canceled the successful show, which they initially had picked up for a second season.
Cast members for the new series issued a joint statement about the show, saying, “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. 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.”
Sara Gilbert, who plays Darlene, and Emma Kenney, the young actress who played Darlene’s daughter in the reboot, had spoken out separately on Twitter in the wake of Barr’s tweet.
Roseanne’s recent comments about Valerie Jarrett, and so much more, are abhorrent and do not reflect the beliefs of our cast and crew or anyone associated with our show. I am disappointed in her actions to say the least.
— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018
This is incredibly sad and difficult for all of us, as we’ve created a show that we believe in, are proud of, and that audiences love— one that is separate and apart from the opinions and words of one cast member.
— sara gilbert (@THEsaragilbert) May 29, 2018
As I called my manager to quit working on Roseanne, I was told it was cancelled. I feel so empowered by @iamwandasykes , Channing Dungey and anyone at ABC standing up for morals and abuse of power. Bullies will NEVER win.
— Emma Kenney 🌹 (@EmmaRoseKenney) May 29, 2018
Will you be tuning in to the spin-off?