"The Middle" Spin-off Starring Eden Sher in the Works at ABC from Original Creators
by Nellie Andreeva
May 30, 2018


"The Middle‘s" Sue Heck may be coming back to ABC. I hear the network is in negotiations for a pilot production commitment to a spin-off from the middle-class family comedy toplined by series co-star Eden Sher.

The project, which could be for midseason consideration, comes from "The Middle" creators/executive producers Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline and studio Warner Bros. TV.

Deals with Sher, Heisler and Heline are still being finalized for the potential comedy series, which would be centered on Sher’s Sue character. I hear the new show will be set a few years in the future from "The Middle" finale, chronicling the next stage of Sue’s life as a young adult with a new cast of characters around her.





The concept for the series is still being honed in, with a couple of other writers from the original series expected to join Heline and Heisler. The project is still in development, with a pilot possibly filming in late October. If picked up to series right away, that would put it in contention for a midseason 2019 launch. ABC also could opt to consider it with the rest of its 2019 pilots for the 2019-20 season.

Talks about a Sue-centered "Middle" spin-off started several months ago; that is why Sher did not entertain any pilot offers this past season. While negotiations had been ongoing, there likely is some added urgency following ABC’s decision yesterday to abruptly cancel its hit blue-collar comedy "Roseanne".

http://deadline.com/2018/05/the-middle-spinoff-starring-eden-sher-sue-abc-1202400167/

Didn't see this coming. Wonder if any of the regulars from TM would occasionally guest.

Didn't see this coming. Wonder if any of the regulars from TM would occasionally guest.

I thought they might offer Charlie McDermott a series but Eden would be funny in her own show too. I hope the other Hecks will show up from time to time on the show.

Maybe the others will get future spinoffs.

I would watch, but would have preferred a spin-off featuring Brick and Cindy. Sue was great for several seasons but I was never one of the Sue and Sean shippers. Darren was perfect for her, it is sad how the show acted how he never existed after his marriage proposal. And the time Darren was on, nothing was even hinted about Sean being interested from when they were young, they tried to change that history in the last few seasons.The one episode from this season where they mentioned Darren was a very negative portrayal, although poor Carly was criticized even sharper. If the Sue and Sean spin-off does happen they should make his mother Nancy a regular, her appearances on The Middle were always good.

News to me too. I'd watch!

Same here.

I'd love this

I'd definitely watch this spin-off -- Eden was always sweet and funny. I'd like to see where her character would go in the workplace -- maybe some temp jobs??

Hope this show happens!

tWWR-HudvF8

"The Middle" Spin-off Starring Eden Sher Gets Pilot Production Commitment at ABC
by Denise Petski
August 13, 2018


It’s official. More Sue Heck is on the way. ABC has given a pilot production commitment to a spin-off from the middle-class family comedy "The Middle" toplined by series co-star Eden Sher.

The half-hour single camera comedy follows the twentysomething adventures of eternal optimist Sue Heck (Sher) as she leaves the small town of Orson to navigate the ups and downs of a career and young adulthood in the big city of Chicago.

The spin-off comes from "The Middle" creators/executive producers Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline and studio Warner Bros. TV.

https://deadline.com/2018/08/the-middle-spinoff-eden-sher-pilot-production-commitment-abc-sue-heck-spinoff-1202444943/

The Middle alum Atticus Shaffer admits he was "hurt" by plans for a Sue Heck-centered spinoff (http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/news/a864475/the-middle-cast-atticus-shaffer-facebook-spin-off-statement/)
In a candid Facebook post (https://www.facebook.com/AtticusShaffer/posts/2341177649255900), Shaffer said he was "really hurt" that he wasn't informed about the spinoff, learning about it through "publicity." Shaffer quoted co-creator Eileen Heisler as saying that in the media that Sue Heck was the best of the three kids for a spinoff. "It didn't hurt that Eden (Sher) got the spin-off from the show. Good for her. It does happen in this business," he wrote. "But, no one spoke and then a statement that basically says that Eden was the better of the three kids...that hurt."

The new show didn’t get a pilot commitment until the last few weeks, while the original show wrapped production five months ago. The new show isn’t “replacing” the original on the schedule. I’m sure they had thoughts of a spinoff when ending the original, but nothing was set in stone. The creators and Patricia Heaton chose to end the show - ABC was willing to go on for another year.

Not sure what his beef is. They’re not going to have the entire family in the spinoff - then it would just be another season of The Middle.

It's going to be hard for Atticus to find work. He's a very specific type.

The new show didn’t get a pilot commitment until the last few weeks, while the original show wrapped production five months ago. The new show isn’t “replacing” the original on the schedule. I’m sure they had thoughts of a spinoff when ending the original, but nothing was set in stone. The creators and Patricia Heaton chose to end the show - ABC was willing to go on for another year.

Not sure what his beef is. They’re not going to have the entire family in the spinoff - then it would just be another season of The Middle.I would have preferred another season of The Middle, it did not have to end with season 9. Eden Sher stayed out of pilot season because she knew they were working on the spin-off for her. A Brick and Cindy spin-off would have been more interesting, Sue changed too much in college and I was never one of the Sue and Sean shippers. It is sad how they threw Darren under the bus and all acted how his proposal was so terrible.

"The Middle" Spin-off Starring Eden Sher in the Works at ABC from Original Creators
by Nellie Andreeva
May 30, 2018


"The Middle‘s" Sue Heck may be coming back to ABC. I hear the network is in negotiations for a pilot production commitment to a spin-off from the middle-class family comedy toplined by series co-star Eden Sher.

The project, which could be for midseason consideration, comes from "The Middle" creators/executive producers Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline and studio Warner Bros. TV.

Deals with Sher, Heisler and Heline are still being finalized for the potential comedy series, which would be centered on Sher’s Sue character. I hear the new show will be set a few years in the future from "The Middle" finale, chronicling the next stage of Sue’s life as a young adult with a new cast of characters around her.





The concept for the series is still being honed in, with a couple of other writers from the original series expected to join Heline and Heisler. The project is still in development, with a pilot possibly filming in late October. If picked up to series right away, that would put it in contention for a midseason 2019 launch. ABC also could opt to consider it with the rest of its 2019 pilots for the 2019-20 season.

Talks about a Sue-centered "Middle" spin-off started several months ago; that is why Sher did not entertain any pilot offers this past season. While negotiations had been ongoing, there likely is some added urgency following ABC’s decision yesterday to abruptly cancel its hit blue-collar comedy "Roseanne".

http://deadline.com/2018/05/the-middle-spinoff-starring-eden-sher-sue-abc-1202400167/

She was on Enternainment Tonight and said she didn't want to keep play Sue.

The Middle alum Atticus Shaffer admits he was "hurt" by plans for a Sue Heck-centered spinoff
In a candid, Shaffer said he was "really hurt" that he wasn't informed about the spinoff, learning about it through "publicity." Shaffer quoted co-creator Eileen Heisler as saying that in the media that Sue Heck was the best of the three kids for a spinoff. "It didn't hurt that Eden (Sher) got the spin-off from the show. Good for her. It does happen in this business," he wrote. "But, no one spoke and then a statement that basically says that Eden was the better of the three kids...that hurt."

She probably shouldn't have made the statement. But these millennials need to realize that in the real world, they're sometimes going to be "hurt."

I think all three of them were entertaining in their own, quirky ways. She happened to win out.

"The Middle" Spin-off Gets Title, Adds Sue's BFF as Series Regular
by Ryan Schwartz
October 5, 2018


Sue Heck will have at least one familiar face from Orson joining her when she makes her way to the Windy City. Brock Ciarlelli, who recurred as best friend Brad in all nine seasons of ABC’s recently ended "The Middle", has joined the potential spinoff as a series regular, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In addition, the Sue-centric offshoot now has an official title: "Sue Sue in the City". (As longtime fans of will recall, the middle child’s full name is Sue Sue Heck.)




Ciarlelli was first introduced in Season 1 of "The Middle" as Sue’s flamboyant boyfriend. They broke up when Sue learned that Brad… smoked cigarettes.

Then, in Season 7, Brad came out as gay. The pair remained inseparable for the duration of the series’ run.




"Sue Sue in the City" received an official pilot order back in August. The potential series will find Sue leaving Indiana to pursue a career — and young adulthood — in Chicago.

"The Middle" creators Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline are penning the pilot script and will serve as EPs.

https://tvline.com/2018/10/05/the-middle-sue-spinoff-title-brad-series-regular-abc/

Kimberley Crossman To Co-Star in "The Middle" Spin-off
by Denise Petski
October 8, 2018


Kimberley Crossman (SMILF) is set to co-star opposite Eden Sher in the Sue Heck spin-off, a half-hour single camera comedy which received a pilot production commitment at ABC, from "The Middle" creators/executive producers Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline and studio Warner Bros. TV.

Crossman will play Remi, the chef at the hotel Sue works at. Tough and talented, she’s recently on the mend from a promising but failed relationship and food truck business when her now ex-boyfriend literally drove away with their dreams.

https://deadline.com/2018/10/kimberley-crossman-to-co-star-in-the-middle-spinoff-on-abc-1202478721/

Finesse Mitchell Cast as Sue Heck's Bartender Buddy on "The Middle" Spin-off
by Andy Swift
October 10, 2018


When Sue relocates to Chicago for "The Middle‘s" spin-off pilot, she’ll have a fairy godfather to show her around town — and this one can get her free drinks!

Finesse Mitchell (SNL) has joined the project in the series-regular role of Hudson, a bartender with a big heart who works at the same hotel as Sue, TVLine has learned exclusively.

https://tvline.com/2018/10/10/the-middle-spinoff-cast-finesse-mitchell-sue-friend-hudson/

Chris Diamantopoulos Joins "The Middle" Spin-off as Sue's Boss
by Michael Ausiello
October 11, 2018


"Silicon Valley" scene-stealer Chris Diamantopoulos is headed to the Windy City via a series-regular role in ABC’s "The Middle" spin-off, TVLine has learned exclusively.

He plays Nick, the “mercurial, charming and rich” owner of the hotel Sue works at.

https://tvline.com/2018/10/11/middle-spinoff-chris-diamantopoulos-cast-sues-boss-sue-in-the-city/

Does anybody know if any of the middle characters will stay at the hotel as guests?

-Carly?
-Reverend Tim Tom?
-Sean?
-Darren?
-Lexi?
-Logan?
-Matt & Sherry?
-Annanan Hajannanan?
-Cindy & her parents?
-Cheerleaders (Debbie Or Courtney)?
-Mr.Elhert?
-Dr. Goodwin?
-Ron & Nancy Donahue?
-Bill Norwood and Or Paula?
-Weird Ashley?( Wasn’t she in college for hotel program)?
-Glossners?
-Uncle Rusty?
-Aunt Janet?
-Grandpa Big Mike?
-Grandma Pat?

Naturally would love to see Mike, Frankie, Axl and Brick come to the hotel for a Thanksgiving and or Christmas episodes. Or Regular guests.

Sue Heck's "The Middle" Spin-off Not Going Forward at ABC
by Nellie Andreeva
November 21, 2018


ABC has opted not to pick up to series its Sue Heck-centered spin-off, "Sue Sue in the City". I hear the project may be shopped by producing studio Warner Bros. TV.

It was ordered by ABC to pilot in August, with Chris Diamantopoulos cast alongside Sher and fellow "Middle" alum Brock Ciarlelli as well as Kimberley Crossman, Finesse Mitchell and Aaron Branch.

https://deadline.com/2018/11/the-middle-sue-heck-spinoff-dead-abc-pass-1202506243/

Oh ... that's too bad

Yeah. That sucks!

I am disappointed that ABC didn't give this spin-off a chance. "The Middle" was very popular and (I think) a lot of those viewers would have tuned in to see what Sue was doing.

Really hope another network picks this show up!

It would have been great to see the legacy of the series continue.

i agree with king of comedy, that spinoff of The Middle shouldve been greenlited

this is just a sneak peak of what you’ll get on EP 0 of Middling where we spill FULL tea on Sue Sue in the City. July 31 y’all!!!!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9f69XOyLD2/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ef2d0d07-4f6a-40ee-866c-e45f952bdc84

Welcome to "Middling with Eden and Brock!" In this special first episode, Eden and Brock discuss their spinoff for ABC, Sue Sue in the City, and share their casting stories for The Middle.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/0-lets-get-to-middling/id1756613740?i=1000663894281

The Middle’s Unaired Pilot Makes Me Appreciate The 9-Season Sitcom Even More (https://screenrant.com/the-middle-original-pilot-unaired-differences-changed/)

The Middle (https://screenrant.com/db/tv-show/the-middle/)'s original unaired pilot proves that the sitcom was almost very different, and it highlights a big reason the final show worked so well.

ABC Sitcom Star Opens Up About Cancelled Spinoff: "I'm Going To Find A Way For People To See It Somehow" (https://screenrant.com/the-middle-sue-heck-spinoff-cancelation-eden-sher-response/)

EXCLUSIVE: A former ABC sitcom star unpacks her feelings behind her now-cancelled spinoff, which she still hopes will see the light of day.

It’s Been 7 Years, But I’m Still Upset That ABC Cancelled The Spinoff To This Long-Running Family Sitcom (https://screenrant.com/the-middle-sue-spinoff-cancel-sitcom-disappointing-op-ed/)

Sue Sue In The City was an intended spin-off of The Middle (https://screenrant.com/db/tv-show/the-middle/) after the latter's finale, but was axed by ABC, missing a chance to show Sue Heck's future.