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ABC Confirms ‘Modern Family’ Will Be Returning For Its 11th and Final Season
Apparently, rumors of the death of Modern Family have been greatly exaggerated — even with the show’s producers recently reflecting on its possible end. First, Sofia Vergara, who plays Gloria Pritchett on the series, spread the word this week that she is absolutely expecting to be back in front of the cameras with the rest of the cast for Season 11. And now, there’s official confirmation from ABC that the show will return for one more run of episodes.
Network president Karey Burke, appearing at the annual Television Critics Association winter press tour on Tuesday, February 5, said, “So proud to announce that Modern Family is returning for its 11th and final season. Chris [Lloyd] and Steve [Levitan] have created one of the most seminal and iconic comedies in television history. In its final season, there will be more milestone events that anyone who has been a fan of the series won’t want to miss.”
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Added Christopher in a statement, “For 10 years, our characters have bravely faced turning points in life and moved through them to great personal enrichment; we have chosen a different path by doing one more season of Modern Family.” And Steve noted, “Even after 10 years together, we realized there are still some things our writers don’t yet know about each other’s sex lives.”
Previously, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Sofia explained, “I think it’s going to end up we’re doing an extra season that we’re going to start next August. We’re about to finish the 10th season in March. From what I heard, we are doing an 11th season. So we’re all very excited and very happy.”
Part of the problem in having a show as successful as Modern Family, and with a cast as large as this one is, is the fact that each year the cost of production (including actor salaries) goes up, and it gradually reaches a point where it’s cost-prohibitive for a network to keep a series like this one on the air. That being said, obviously, deals have fallen into place and the show will be back.
Julie Bowen (Claire Dunphy), while speaking to ET back in December, commented, “We were approached. The cast gave a gleeful yes. I think there’s a lot of behind the scenes action that has to happen with Fox, and ABC buying Fox. There’s an extra building worth of paperwork it has to go through, but I’m hoping it does. I really am.”
Well, Julie, your hopes have come true.
