Several of ‘The Conners’ Cast Members Will Not Appear in Show’s Final Season: Here’s Why

The final season of The Conners is just weeks away, and unfortunately, not all of the show’s cast members will be returning for the final hoorah.

Johnny Galecki, who plays David, Michael Fishman, who plays DJ and Estelle Parsons, who plays Bev, will not be returning for season 7 of the show, according to TVLine.

“[David is] very much mentioned, very much alive in the story,” executive producer Bruce Helford told the outlet of why the three actors will not be featured. “We love Johnny, he was always welcome, but he has more or less started life anew down in Nashville [following the conclusion of The Big Bang Theory].”

He explained that the move will make sense to viewers once they see the story lines of season 7 unfold when the show airs.

“Honestly, once you see the arcs [you will understand],” he said. “What we never want to do is just bring somebody in just to see that person on the show. We want everyone to have something important to play.”

Though Bev will not be present in the season, expect the characters to mention her at some points.

“There are certainly some comments made about her situation,” he said.

While those three actors will not be in season 7, the show is bringing on another famous face. Deadline reported that Seth Green will be joining the cast for season 7. Per the outlet, Seth will be playing a character named Chad, who is “Darlene’s new friend at the Lobo who is going through a separation from his wife, in a three-episode arc.”

“Chad and Darlene confide in each other and bond, a little too closely, over their similar biting humor,” the outlet reported.

The premise of The Conners season 7 premiere episode was revealed by ABC ahead of the March 26 air date.

“Darlene celebrates her promotion, hoping it will allow her to spend more time with Ben,” the official logline said. “Meanwhile, Jackie stumbles upon an opportunity to sue the pharmaceutical company responsible for Roseanne’s addiction, which sparks a family debate.”

Season 7 will be shortened, and will only have six episodes total. Ahead of the final season, Emma Kenney, who plays Harris Conner-Healy, spoke out about what’s to come in the show’s sendoff.

“Our series finale season is just six episodes,” she told TV Insider in January. “We are used to having a lot more wiggle room and maybe a few one-off episodes.”

Emma, 25, also hinted at how the series will end, and raised questions about whether or not the ending will be definite for all of the characters.

“It kind of ends with some open-ended-ness,” she told the outlet. “I think it would’ve been too sad if they made it very a clear ending.”

John Goodman, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson and Laurie Metcalf will all be returning for the show’s final season. And while season 7 will be a bit shorter than other seasons, Emma assured fans that the story will follow an interesting path for each character.

“This [season], every episode is very intentional and each character has their moment,” Emma revealed.