Beloved ABC sitcom The Middle concluded its nine-season run in 2018, but the series nearly continued through a spin-off focused on fan-favourite character Sue Heck. Actress Eden Sher has resurfaced this week, confirming that a developed spin-off project was abruptly cancelled due to executive changes at the network.
Revealing the Lost Project
Sher, now 34, opened up about the shelved spin-off during an appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast. The project was titled Sue in the City and would have followed Sue Heck several years into the future as she embarked on a new life in Chicago.
Chicago Setting and Hotel Mission
The actress explained the premise in detail. "It was set in Chicago and it was a few years in the future," Sher revealed. "She basically finds this really run-down hotel in Chicago and she makes it her mission to save this hotel."
Sher emphasized how the location would have become integral to the show. "And there's this cast of characters and Chicago is a little bit of a character," she added, suggesting the city would have played a significant role beyond just a backdrop.
Familiar Faces Would Have Returned
The spin-off would have featured several returning cast members from The Middle. Brock Ciarlelli, who portrayed Sue's best friend Brad Bottig in the original series, was set to live with Sue in the Chicago apartment.
Additionally, Beau Wirick, who played Sue's husband Sean Donahue in The Middle's later seasons, was scheduled to make appearances in the new series. This would have maintained continuity with the original show while exploring new narrative territory.
Creative Vision and Tone
Sher described the show's intended atmosphere. "It was about Sue living in the city! It had a little bit of a Kimmy Schmidt vibe, but it wasn't so dark," she explained, referencing the popular Netflix comedy series while distinguishing her project's lighter tone.
The actress expressed genuine enthusiasm for what could have been. "I really liked it. It wasn't a perfect pilot but worse pilots have gotten on TV! There was so much potential," Sher remarked, highlighting her belief in the project's viability.
Why the Spin-Off Never Materialised
The promising project met an untimely end due to corporate restructuring at ABC. Sher confirmed that a "huge regime change" at the network led to the departure of executives who had previously championed The Middle and its potential continuation.
These leadership changes effectively pulled the plug on Sue in the City despite the pilot episode having been filmed. Sher noted she "loved every second" of filming the pilot and had expected it to receive a full season greenlight before the executive shake-up.
Sher's Career Since The Middle
Since The Middle concluded in 2018, Eden Sher has continued her acting career with various projects. She appeared in a five-episode stint on Jane the Virgin in 2019 and most recently starred in the Hallmark Channel holiday film A Keller Christmas Vacation.
The Middle itself ran for an impressive 215 episodes, focusing on a lower middle-class family in Indiana navigating daily life challenges. The series notably starred Patricia Heaton, who had previously spent nine seasons on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Remembering The Middle's Legacy
The news about the lost spin-off comes months after the passing of The Middle cast member Pat Finn, who died in December at age 60 after battling cancer. Finn played recurring character Bill Norwood from 2010 until the series' conclusion in 2018.
Patricia Heaton shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram following Finn's passing. "One of the finest and funniest human beings I know has left to be with Jesus," Heaton wrote. "Pat Finn, whom most of you know as Bill Norwood on The Middle had been battling cancer the last few years."
She continued, "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."
While Sue Heck's Chicago adventure remains unrealised, Eden Sher's revelation provides fascinating insight into what might have been for one of television's most endearing characters.
