Fans holding out hope for Extended Family Season 2 will be disappointed to learn that NBC has officially canceled the sitcom after just one season. This decision comes amidst a wave of renewals and cancellations at the network, as NBC recently greenlit third seasons for Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez, and ordered Happy’s Place, starring Reba McEntire, straight to series. The axe falling on Extended Family means viewers have seen the last of Jim and Julia’s unique post-divorce family dynamic.
Extended Family, created by Mike O’Malley, explored the complexities of modern family life. The show centered around Jim, portrayed by Jon Cryer, and Julia, played by Abigail Spencer, a divorced couple navigating co-parenting. Their arrangement, living in the family home and alternating who resides with the children, takes a turn when Julia finds love with Trey, played by Donald Faison, the owner of Jim’s favorite sports team. This setup provided a comedic lens through which to examine the challenges of divorce, blended families, and unexpected relationships.
The first and now only season of Extended Family concluded in March after airing 13 episodes. Produced by Lionsgate and Universal Television, with O’Malley also serving as showrunner and executive producer alongside a team including Cryer, Tom Werner, and others, the show boasted a strong pedigree.
The path to air for Extended Family was itself noteworthy. Initially securing a pilot order from NBC in May 2022 with Jon Cryer potentially starring, the series quickly gained momentum with Faison and Spencer joining in June 2022. By September 2022, NBC had granted a series order for the off-cycle project. Despite a December 2023 premiere, production faced disruptions due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023. Six episodes were completed before the strikes halted production, with an additional seven episodes produced after the labor disputes concluded. Notably, Extended Family resumed production swiftly, just four days after the SAG-AFTRA strike ended, showcasing a commitment to bringing the show to audiences.
Earlier in 2024, Survivor’s Remorse creator Mike O’Malley expressed optimism about the prospects for Extended Family Season 2 in a conversation with Deadline. “But I’ve been around long enough to know that 80 million things could happen between now and then,” O’Malley stated, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the television industry. He also highlighted the show’s performance and cast chemistry, saying, “I think our ratings have been good. Everyone in our business knows how hard it is to find stories, write stories, write episodes. The cast is unbelievable. We also have great kids. Everyone knows how hard it is to get a cast that feels like a family and is good at making sitcoms.” Despite this optimism and the perceived strengths of the show, NBC ultimately decided against Extended Family Season 2, leaving fans with just one season of the family comedy.
