Sue Sue In The City: The Heartwarming Spin-Off That Never Made It To Air
For nine wonderful seasons, audiences around the world fell in love with the quirky, relatable, and eternally optimistic Heck family from Orson, Indiana. Among them, Sue Heck, portrayed brilliantly by Eden Sher, stood out as a beacon of unwavering positivity, even in the face of constant mishaps and overlooked achievements. When The Middle concluded its beloved run in 2018, many fans felt a pang of sadness, but also a glimmer of hope: a spin-off was planned, focusing on none other than our favorite middle child, titled Sue Sue in the City.
It seemed like a sure thing. The premise was exciting, the lead actress was on board, and the character had a built-in fanbase eager to follow her next adventures. Yet, despite a filmed pilot, Sue Sue in the City never materialized. It remains one of television's most intriguing "what ifs." So, what exactly was this promising project about, and why did ABC ultimately decide to pass on it? Let's dive into the story of the spin-off that almost brought Sue Heck's big city dreams to life.
The End of an Era, The Dawn of a New Hope
When The Middle aired its finale in May 2018, it left a void in the hearts of many viewers who had grown accustomed to the daily mishaps and triumphs of the working-class Hecks. The show was praised for its authentic portrayal of family life, its witty writing, and its endearing characters. Of all the Hecks, Sue often resonated deeply with audiences due to her relentless optimism, her often-unseen struggles, and her journey of self-discovery. She was the underdog everyone rooted for, the one who truly deserved a happy ending, or at least, a new beginning.
The news of a potential spin-off centered on Sue Heck was met with widespread excitement. It felt like a natural progression, a way to continue the legacy of a beloved character without forcing the entire family back into new storylines. Fans were eager to see Sue navigate the world beyond the familiar confines of Orson, Indiana, and truly come into her own as a young adult. The anticipation was palpable, especially given Eden Sher's commitment to reprising her role, which was central to the show's potential success.
What Was Sue Sue in the City All About?
The concept for Sue Sue in the City was both fresh and familiar, promising to retain the charm of The Middle while exploring new territory for its protagonist. It was designed to be a comedy that followed Sue's "twentysomething adventures," as she embarked on the next stage of her life.
A Fresh Start in the Windy City
The spin-off was set a few years in the future from The Middle finale, placing Sue firmly in her young adult years. The biggest change? The setting. Our perpetually optimistic heroine was leaving the small, unassuming town of Orson and heading to the bustling metropolis of Chicago. This move alone promised a wealth of new comedic opportunities and character development. In the big city, Sue would be forced to stretch herself, face new challenges, and undoubtedly make her fair share of "cringeworthy mistakes" – a hallmark of her endearing character.
The series was envisioned to chronicle Sue's journey as she navigated the ups and downs of a career and young adulthood. It was a chance for her to truly find her footing, pursue her dreams, and experience life beyond the familiar, if sometimes frustrating, comforts of home. The transition from a small town to a major urban center would have provided a rich backdrop for both humor and heartfelt moments, allowing Sue's eternal optimism to shine even brighter against the backdrop of big-city realities.
The Cast We Almost Knew
While Eden Sher was, of course, the undeniable star, Sue Sue in the City was also set to introduce a new ensemble of characters to populate Sue's Chicago world. The data indicates that the show would feature:
- Eden Sher as Sue Heck, reprising her iconic role.
- Cheryl Dooley
- Finesse Mitchell
- Kimberley Crossman
Crucially, fans would also have seen a familiar face from Orson: Brock Ciarlelli was set to return as Brad Bottig, Sue's best friend. Brad's presence would have provided a wonderful sense of continuity and a beloved dynamic for long-time fans of The Middle. The combination of new faces and a cherished returning character promised a fresh yet comforting viewing experience, allowing Sue to grow while still having a familiar anchor in her new life.
The Pilot That Never Aired: Why Did ABC Pass?
Despite the excitement, the planned and filmed pilot for Sue Sue in the City never came to fruition. In November 2018, ABC officially passed on picking up the series for a full season order. This decision left many fans, and indeed the cast and crew, bewildered and disappointed. It "seemed like a sure thing," as many reports indicated, making the cancellation even more perplexing.
The network never provided an official reason for why the series was not picked up. However, speculation has circulated that ABC might have already had a "full slate of family sitcoms" at the time. This could include shows like Splitting Up Together and Schooled, both of which were on ABC's schedule around that period. In the competitive landscape of network television, even a promising pilot starring a beloved character might be sidelined if a network feels it has enough similar content or if other pilots are deemed a better fit for their overall programming strategy.
It's a common, if frustrating, reality in the television industry that even well-received pilots can be passed over for reasons beyond their inherent quality. Budgetary constraints, scheduling conflicts, or a shift in network priorities can all play a role. For fans, however, the lack of a clear explanation only added to the mystery and the disappointment of a show that promised so much.
The Legacy of a Lost Opportunity
Six years after ABC passed on the offshoot, Sue Sue in the City remains a topic of discussion among fans of The Middle. The fact that a pilot was filmed, and therefore exists, only fuels the desire to see what could have been. Recently, both Eden Sher and Brock Ciarlelli have spoken about the unaired pilot, giving fans a glimpse into the production and the characters they were set to portray.
The cancellation of Sue Sue in the City represents a lost opportunity to continue the story of one of television's most unique and lovable characters. It could have explored themes of young adulthood, career aspirations, and finding one's place in a big, intimidating world, all through Sue Heck's uniquely optimistic lens. Her ability to find joy and silver linings even in the most challenging situations would have made for truly heartwarming and hilarious television.
While we may never get to see Sue's full Chicago adventure, the idea of Sue Sue in the City serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of The Middle and its characters. It reminds us of the potential for growth and new beginnings, even if, in this case, those beginnings remained just out of reach.
In summary, Sue Sue in the City was a highly anticipated spin-off from the beloved sitcom The Middle, set to follow Sue Heck's young adult adventures in Chicago a few years after the original series finale. Starring Eden Sher and featuring new and familiar faces like Brock Ciarlelli, the show aimed to chronicle Sue's journey as she navigated a career and big city life with her signature optimism. Despite a filmed pilot, ABC ultimately passed on the series in November 2018, reportedly due to a full slate of family sitcoms, leaving fans with a lingering curiosity about the heartwarming comedy that almost was.
Sue Sue in the City (TV Movie 2018) - IMDb
‘Sue Sue in the City’: Meet the Cast of ‘The Middle’ Spinoff Series
Sue Sue in the City (TV Movie 2018) - IMDb
