ABC Orders Roseanne Spinoff The Conners to Series

ABC still has its newest hit show, albeit minus its star. The network has ordered The Conners, which will spin off the cancelled Roseanne, to series per TV Line. The series will consist of ten episodes and premiere in the spot vacated by Roseanne when ABC cancelled the show last month due to a racist tweet posted by Roseanne Bar.

No premiere date has been announced for the new show, which will see Sara Gilbert (as Darlene), John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Lecy Goranson (Becky) and Michael Fishman (DJ) all return. Barr will not return and ABC said in a statement, “Roseanne Barr will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series.”

The synopsis for the show leaves the character of Roseanne Conners’ fate vague, but ominous: “After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford 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 cast said in a a joint statement, “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.”