A Roseanne spinoff has the green light from ABC. Called The Conners, the new show will star several actors and actresses — but none named Roseanne Barr.
ABC Network released a statement indicating that Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series. This comes as no surprise after ABC canceled her show following a racist post she made on Twitter. There had been a number of rumors about trying to resurrect the supporting cast since that took place.
The Conners: Episodes and air date
10 episodes of The Conners have been ordered and the show is scheduled to debut in fall 2018. This is an initial episode order, meaning ABC could increase that number if the early buzz and television ratings turn out to be good.
Cast members, including John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and Michael Fishman, are already attached to the project. As for the name of the show, they are currently going with The Conners, but it is considered to be a working title.
So happy to see @ABCNetwork is going forward with a Roseanne spinoff, without Roseanne, #TheConnors. Really glad to see this talented cast & crew go back to work. As an actor it just really hit home for me, I know how hard, work can be to come by. https://t.co/xPMgIqt3RI
— Chaz Bono (@ChazBono) June 22, 2018
Another Roseanne spinoff
Bringing back Roseanne during this past television season was considered to be a risky endeavor for the network. Would viewers tune in to see a show that had been off the air for a number of years? It quickly turned into one of the most-watched scripted shows on television, quickly leading to an order for Season 2.
Following the conclusion of Season 1, though, Roseanne Barr became even more active on social media. Then, one day, she took it too far. After posting what was deemed to be a racist tweet, ABC immediately canceled her show and began distancing itself from her for good.
Will viewers now tune in to watch The Conners in fall 2018? The supporting cast has always been an extremely strong one, with Laurie Metcalf winning several Emmy Awards for her work. That will have to continue and the writing will have to be equally impressive, as the cast has a huge void to fill with Roseanne no longer involved. Could it even mean the return of Tom Arnold?
The Conners will air on ABC with 10 episodes beginning in Fall 2018.