The Middle Spin-Off: A Lost Opportunity
The ABC sitcom The Middle concluded its run in 2018 after nine seasons, leaving a lasting impact on fans across the country. Despite its end, the show had an exciting chance to continue through a spin-off that was once in development. Actress Eden Sher, who played the iconic character Sue Heck, recently revealed details about this potential new series.
Sher shared her experience with the spin-off on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, which was titled Sue in the City. She explained that the show was set in Chicago and took place several years after the original series. “She basically finds this really run-down hotel in Chicago and she makes it her mission to save this hotel,” she said. “And there’s this cast of characters and Chicago is a little bit of a character.”
Brock Ciarlelli, who portrayed Sue’s best friend Brad Bottig in The Middle, was expected to live with Sue in the spin-off. “It was about Sue living in the city! It had a little bit of a Kimmy Schmidt vibe, but it wasn’t so dark,” Sher added. Beau Wirick, who played Sue’s husband Sean Donahue, was also set to appear in the series.
Sher expressed her enthusiasm for the pilot episode, stating that she “loved every second” of filming. She believed the project had great potential, even if it wasn’t a perfect pilot. “Worse pilots have gotten on TV! There was so much potential,” she remarked.
Since the end of The Middle, Sher has continued to act, most notably appearing in a five-episode stint on Jane the Virgin in 2019. She was last seen in the Hallmark Channel holiday film A Keller Christmas Vacation.
The Middle, which aired for 215 episodes, followed the lives of a lower-middle-class family in Indiana as they navigated everyday challenges. The show featured Patricia Heaton, who previously spent nine seasons on Everybody Loves Raymond.
In December, The Middle star Pat Finn passed away at the age of 60 after a battle with cancer. Finn appeared on the show from 2010 until 2018, playing the recurring character Bill Norwood. His passing left a deep impact on the cast and crew.
Soon after the news broke, Heaton shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. “One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus,” she began. She added, “Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle had been battling cancer the last few years. At the too-young age of 60, he leaves behind his sweetheart Donna and three children. He was adored by all who knew him, and he leaves behind a legacy of love, friendship, and wonderful comedy.”
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