“The Middle” is ending on ABC this season, but the show is getting a little extra time to say goodbye to its fans.
ABC announced Friday that the comedy series is receiving an order for two additional episodes for its ninth and final season, bringing the show’s total order to 24 episodes for the 2017-2018 season. The series will air its 200th episode on Dec. 5.
It was announced back in August that this season of the series would be its last. Debuting in 2009, the family sitcom is one of ABC’s longest-running comedies, next to “Modern Family.” Though the series has never been a huge ratings breakout, it’s been steady on the network’s schedule. Starring Patricia Heaton, Neil Flynn, Charlie McDermott, Eden Sher, and Atticus Shaffer, “The Middle” revolves around the middle-class, midwestern Heck family. Created by Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, Warner Bros. Television is the studio.
“Last year we sat down with our cast and made the bittersweet decision together that in this ninth season it is time to bring the Hecks’ story to a close. It’s been an amazing run, a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we’re looking forward to having an entire year to say goodbye,” said co-creators Heisler and Heline at the time of the August announcement. “Plus, we wanted to go out before too many people knew we were on the air.”
