In a recent announcement that has left fans disappointed, NBC has decided to cancel the comedy series “Extended Family” after just one season. The news comes amidst renewals for other shows like “Night Court” and “Lopez vs. Lopez,” as well as the greenlight for “Happy’s Place,” starring Reba McEntire.
Created by Mike O’Malley, the multi-camera sitcom centered on former marrieds Jim (Cryer) and Julia (Timeless‘ Abigail Spencer), who, after an amicable divorce, “decide to continue to raise their kids at the family home while taking turns on who gets to stay with them,” according to the official logline. “Navigating the waters of divorce and child-sharing gets more complicated for Jim when the owner of his favorite sports team (Scrubs‘ Donald Faison) enters the picture and wins Julia’s heart.”
Sofia Capanna as Grace, Finn Sweeney (Impeachment: American Crime Story) as Jimmy Jr., and Lenny Clarke (Rescue Me) rounded out the cast. Its Season 1 finale — which will now have to serve as a series finale — aired March 26.
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The show, produced by Lionsgate and Universal Television, faced challenges during its production journey, including disruptions due to industry strikes. Despite these hurdles, it managed to deliver 13 episodes in its first season, which concluded in March.
The series’ creator and showrunner, O’Malley, expressed optimism about a potential second season earlier this year but acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the industry. He praised the cast and crew for their dedication and highlighted the difficulty of creating compelling sitcoms in today’s competitive landscape.
“Extended Family” had a promising start, with a pilot order in 2022 and a series order later that year. However, its journey to finding a stable audience proved challenging, leading to NBC’s decision to end the show after its initial run.
Fans of the series have taken to social media to express their disappointment, with many hoping for a revival or continuation of the story in some form. As the landscape of television continues to evolve, the fate of short-lived shows like “Extended Family” serves as a reminder of the industry’s ever-changing dynamics.