Alright Connerheads get ready to say goodbye because The Conners is gearing up for its seventh and final season . After years of laughs tears and relatable family chaos in Lanford Illinois it's time to close the door on the Conner household. But before we grab the tissues let's dig into what we can expect from this last batch of episodes. Will it be a happy ending? Will there be surprises? Let's find out!
No Familiar Faces? Which Roseanne Alums Aren't Coming Back for The Conners Farewell
Okay so before you get too excited about seeing everyone back one last time there's some news you need to know. Sadly a few familiar faces from the Roseanne universe won't be making an appearance in this final season of The Conners. We're talking about some key players here: Johnny Galecki (David) Michael Fishman (DJ) and Estelle Parsons (Bev).
Why the no-shows? Well apparently it's mostly down to story and scheduling. Executive producer Bruce Helford mentioned that David is "very much mentioned" and still "alive in the story" but Johnny Galecki is living that Nashville life post-Big Bang Theory. While they'd love to have him back they didn't want to force a storyline just for the sake of a cameo. It sounds like they considered having David reconnect with Harris and Mark but with only six episodes they felt too crammed to do it properly.
Michael Fishman's DJ also won't be around. We learned last season that DJ reunited with Geena in Germany and this final season confirms their daughter Mary is now with them overseas. So the DJ storyline is wrapped up off-screen. And as for Estelle Parsons who played the hilarious and often outrageous Bev well she is 97 years young and lives all the way in New York. Logistically getting her to LA for filming just wasn't feasible. Though we will get an update on Bev's situation so she won't be totally forgotten.
Seth Green Joins The Conners Crew: Darlene's New Pal or Trouble for Ben and Darlene?
Now for some fresh blood! Seth Green is joining The Conners for a recurring role in these final episodes. He is playing Chad who is Darlene's "new friend" at the Lobo Lounge. Chad is going through a separation and apparently he and Darlene bond over their shared sarcastic senses of humor. Hmm "bond a little too closely" you say?
This casting news has some fans a little worried especially those rooting for Ben and Darlene. Could Chad be a potential romantic threat to their marriage? Darlene has a history of complicated relationships and some viewers are concerned this might be rehashing old storylines. Darlene and Ben have been through their ups and downs including breakups and jealousy over past flames. Do they really need another relationship hurdle in their final season?
Some fans are expressing concern that with only six episodes dedicating screentime to a potential new romantic entanglement for Darlene might take away from properly concluding other storylines and character arcs for the main Conner family members. Will Chad be a fun addition or just unnecessary drama? We will have to wait and see.
Why Is The Conners Ending Now? Looking Back at the Roseanne Legacy and Final Chapter
The Conners is actually part of a long TV history that started way back in 1988 with Roseanne. That show starring Roseanne Barr was groundbreaking for its portrayal of a real working-class American family. Messy house stacked bills family squabbles - it all felt authentic and audiences loved it. Roseanne became a massive hit even hitting number one in the ratings.
After a controversial final season in the 90s (remember the lottery win?) Roseanne was rebooted in 2018 and it was a ratings smash again. But then controversy struck again due to Roseanne Barr's social media activity and the reboot was cancelled. However the Conner family story wasn't over. ABC launched The Conners a spin-off continuing the family's life without Roseanne. While The Conners has had its moments some viewers feel it has never quite reached the same heights as the original Roseanne especially with Darlene taking more of a central role.
Now after seven seasons of The Conners and a total of 17 seasons including Roseanne this TV family's journey is coming to an end. Why now? Showrunners haven't explicitly stated the cancellation reasons beyond it being the "final season" but often these decisions come down to ratings and network strategy. It's the end of an era for this long-running fictional family.
Fan Feelings: Excitement Concerns and Hope for a Satisfying Farewell
Fans are definitely having mixed emotions about The Conners final season. Many are sad to see the show end especially with a shortened six-episode run. Some worry that six episodes won't be enough to give all the characters and storylines proper closure. There are concerns about rushing the ending or leaving things unresolved.
The casting of Seth Green has sparked debate with some fans worried about a potential Ben and Darlene relationship drama feeling repetitive or unnecessary so late in the series run. There's a desire to see the final season focus on core family moments and meaningful conclusions rather than new romantic conflicts.
However despite the concerns there is also excitement to see how The Conners will wrap things up. Fans are hoping for a satisfying and emotional farewell that honors the legacy of the show and its characters. Will they manage to stick the landing? We'll all be tuning in to find out starting March 26th .
The Conners Season 7: Final Season - Key Things to Know
- Final Season: Yes Season 7 will be the last for The Conners.
- Short Season: Only 6 episodes will make up the final season.
- Premiere Date: Premieres Wednesday March 26th at 8 PM ET/PT on ABC.
- No Returning Legacy Characters: David (Johnny Galecki) DJ (Michael Fishman) and Bev (Estelle Parsons) will not appear.
- Seth Green Guest Stars: Seth Green joins in a recurring role as Chad a potential new friend for Darlene.
- Focus on Core Family: Despite new characters expect the season to center on Dan Jackie Darlene and Becky as they navigate life's challenges.
- Bittersweet Goodbye: Prepare for an emotional farewell to this long-running TV family.