‘The Middle’ To Be Canceled Next Year By ABC After Nine Seasons

ABC will soon be saying goodbye to one of its longest-running shows, “The Middle.”

According to TV Line, the Hecks will be bidding their fans farewell at the end of its upcoming ninth season. While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, executive producer Eileen Heisler revealed that she and her team spoke with the cast of “The Middle” last year to tell them that Season 9 would be the last. “It was important to have a year to say goodbye. We want to be able to tell all the stories,” she said.

Read: Did ABC cancel “Still Star-Crossed” after one season?

While the series has received positive reviews, “The Middle” never became as popular as its counterpart, “Modern Family.” Both shows are going on their ninth season, which means that they were launched by ABC in the same year. “The Middle” executive producer DeAnn Heline acknowledged the fact that some people know about “The Middle,” while there are still those who don’t know that the show exists. “If we can be underappreciated for nine years and be on the air, we’re lucky,” she said.

Meanwhile, Heisler also dished on what’s in store for the members of the Heck family in Season 9. “We feel the reception toward our show is positive and kind. We feel proud of what we’re doing. In its own way, the show has been recognized even though it’s not a ratings magnet. It’s very stalwart and steady. We started having an idea a couple of years ago and honed it more in the last year. It will be true to our show. It’s an end that fans will like,” she said.

“The Middle” Season 9 will premiere on ABC on Oct. 3 at 8 p.m. EST. Originally, “The Middle” aired on Wednesday nights. After helping ABC launch its Wednesday comedy block for six seasons, the Patricia Heaton-starrer moved to Tuesdays nights in Season 7.

Heaton plays the role of Frankie, the matriarch of the Heck family. She is joined by her onscreen husband, Neil Flynn, who plays the role of Mike. Frankie and Mike have been blessed with three children, namely, Axl (Charlie McDermott), Sue (Eden Sher) and Brick (Atticus Shaffer).