It’s finally Sue Heck’s moment to shine. The hyper-enthusiastic middle child of ABC’s “The Middle,” played by Eden Sher, could be getting her very own show. According to Deadline, the network is in talks for a pilot production commitment for a “Middle” spinoff centered on Sue. The project is from original series creators Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline.
The potential series’ concept isn’t set in stone yet, but it is expected to take place a few years after the events of “The Middle’s” recent series finale. It would follow the young adult Sue, independent of her family, alongside new characters.
Should the project move forward, the pilot could shoot in late October, and if ABC picks up the pilot quickly, we could expect the spinoff by midseason 2019. “ABC also could opt to consider it with the rest of its 2019 pilots for the 2019-20 season,” the source notes. Other “Middle” writers are expected to come on board if the spinoff gets the go-ahead.
“The Middle” ended its nine-season run on May 22. “Our ratings have been great and ABC was very clear they did want more seasons — it was our decision to bring it to a close,” Heisler told Deadline.
This isn’t the first young woman-led spinoff of an ABC family sitcom. Earlier this year Freeform debuted “Grown-ish,” a “Black-ish” spinoff following Yara Shahidi’s Zoey Johnson at college.
“Step Sisters,” “Star vs. the Forces of Evil,” and “Weeds” are among Sher’s previous credits. She’s been nominated for five Critics Choice Television Awards for her work as Sue. She won in 2013.