ABC has passed on a spinoff of The Middle that would have seen Eden Sher continue playing Sue Heck as a young adult.
The network put the offshoot, Sue Sue in the City (with two “Sues” in the title) in development shortly afterThe Middle ended its nine-season run. It would have followed Sue as she finished college and started life on her own in Chicago.
The show had also cast Brock Ciarlelli, who was set to continue his role as Sue’s BFF Brad Bottig; Chris Diamantopoulos, Kimberley Crossman, Finesse Mitchell and Aaron Branch were also set to be regulars.
Like The Middle, Sue Sue in the City came from creators DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler, and Warner Bros. TV. The studio may try to find another buyer for the project.
In the series finale of The Middle, a flash-forward shows Sue going through an on-and-off relationship with her star-crossed love and neighbor, Sean Donohue (Beau Winick), before they eventually marry. How that would have played into the spinoff will remain a mystery.
The news comes the same day that ABC canceled summer series Take Two after a single season. It will also be shopped to other outlets.
ABC has given back orders to freshman comedies Single Parents and The Kids Are Alright, and extended second-year comedy Splitting Up Together. Schooled, a spinoff of The Goldbergs, is on tap for midseason.
(Excerpt) Read more in: The Hollywood Reporter