ABC have confirmed a ‘Roseanne’ spin-off series without the involvement of Roseanne Barr.
The network recently axed the rebooted sit-com following a racist tweet from the 65-year-old star, but they will now debut a new 10-episode programme in the autumn, which will tentatively be titled ‘The Conners’.
And a synopsis for the new show suggested matriarch Roseanne Conner could be killed off.
It read: "After a sudden turn of events, the Conners are forced to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford in a way they never have before.
"This iconic family — Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky and D.J. — grapples with parenthood, dating, an unexpected pregnancy, financial pressures, aging and in-laws in working-class America.
"Through it all, the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humour and perseverance, the family prevails."
The announcement for the new show stressed that Roseanne will have no financial or creative involvement in the new series."
A statement from Roseanne and executive producer Tom Werner said: "Tom Werner and Roseanne Barr have reached an agreement that will allow Werner Entertainment to produce a spin-off of the Roseanne series for ABC without Barr’s further creative or financial participation."
Roseanne – who saw the show cancelled after she compared former White House advisor Valerie Jarrett to an ape – sent her best wishes to the cast and crew of the new show.
She said: "I regret the circumstances that have caused me to be removed from ‘Roseanne’. I agreed to the settlement in order that 200 jobs of beloved cast and crew could be saved, and I wish the best for everyone involved."
The returning stars of the show – John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Michael Fishman – are "so happy" to be coming back as their beloved characters.
They said in a statement: "We have received a tremendous amount of support from fans of our show, and it’s clear that these characters not only have a place in our hearts, but in the hearts and homes of our audience.
"We all came back last season because we wanted to tell stories about the challenges facing a working-class family today. We are so happy to have the opportunity to return with the cast and crew to continue to share those stories through love and laughter."
ABC confirm Roseanne spin-off without Roseanne Barr
