91ƵSchitt91Ƶs Creek91Ƶ fans, prepare to say goodbye to the Rose family.
As the hit Canadian comedy series cements its status as a critical and cultural smash during its fifth season, father-and-son co-creators Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy have announced the story will come to an end next year.
In a statement on Daniel Levy91Ƶs social media accounts Thursday, they revealed the beloved half-hour show will wrap up for good at the end of its sixth season. The 14 final episodes are due to begin in January 2020 on CBC in Canada and Pop TV in the U.S.
It91Ƶs a decision the Levys reached a long time ago and is one they91Ƶre excited about, they stressed in interviews with The Canadian Press, noting they91Ƶve envisioned this final chapter from the beginning.
91ƵI91Ƶve always known how the show was going to end,91Ƶ Daniel Levy, who is also the showrunner, said by phone from Toronto.
91ƵI91Ƶve always seen every season of our show as a chapter in the story of this family91Ƶs life, and we have reached our inevitable conclusion in that story, so it was the right time and it was something that I had been building to for five seasons.91Ƶ
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The Levys also play father and son on the sitcom, alongside Catherine O91ƵHara as the mother and Annie Murphy as the daughter of the Rose family, who lost their fortune due to a shady business manager and now live in a motel in a small town the dad bought as a joke years ago.
Each character has carved out their own niche in the town over the years, providing nuance and a joyful spirit that has helped 91ƵSchitt91Ƶs Creek91Ƶ grow in popularity from season to season.
Where the show once was a modest gem, it now has a spot on Netflix, countless memes and mentions on social media, and accolades from top critics.
91ƵIt91Ƶs really been quite unbelievable,91Ƶ said Eugene Levy, a comedy treasure and 91ƵSCTV91Ƶ alum who was born in Hamilton.
91ƵHaving a show like 91ƵSchitt91Ƶs Creek91Ƶ in the autumn of my years, so to speak, is something not a lot of people get to experience.91Ƶ
The show has also spawned a live tour with sold-out audiences in Canada and the U.S., won several Canadian Screen Awards, and was up for a Critics91Ƶ Choice trophy in January.
91ƵI91Ƶm sure people will be questioning, 91ƵWhy walk away when so many people are watching it?91Ƶ91Ƶ Toronto-born Daniel Levy said, noting he tries not to pay attention to the show91Ƶs buzz because he doesn91Ƶt want it to affect the creative process.
91ƵBut the reality is, we91Ƶve always been about the show, and I hope that when people watch this last season, they91Ƶll understand that we did nothing but respect that experience.91Ƶ
Levy said he had a feeling around season 3 that the Roses91Ƶ story was halfway through and would be done come season 6. His dad was fully supportive and they91Ƶve been carefully constructing the storylines to reach that conclusion ever since.
91ƵWe91Ƶre going out on a nice, natural high and never really wanted to risk taking it any further into what I might call the law of diminishing returns,91Ƶ said Eugene Levy.
Executives at CBC and Pop say they91Ƶre sad the show is ending, but they admire the Levys91Ƶ commitment to wrapping it up on their own terms.
91ƵIt91Ƶs creative genius, and who am I to mess with creative genius?91Ƶ said Sally Catto, general manager of programming for CBC English Television, noting the show has grown the public broadcaster91Ƶs audience, particularly its younger demographic.
91ƵIt really also became an anchor for a new era of (scripted) comedy at the CBC,91Ƶ she added.
91ƵI truly think it will be, always, one of the greatest comedies ever created in this country.91Ƶ
Pop channel president Brad Schwartz, who also worked with Daniel Levy when he was at MTV Canada, said it91Ƶs their highest-rated original series and has helped define the network.
91ƵIt91Ƶs devastating,91Ƶ he said of the decision to end it. 91ƵIt91Ƶs one of the most proud pieces of content I91Ƶve ever been involved with.
91ƵYou don91Ƶt get shows like this very often in a career.91Ƶ
Daniel Levy said he hopes the final season will provide closure and 91Ƶtell the funniest, the sweetest, the most joyful episodes of our show we91Ƶve ever told.91Ƶ
And he isn91Ƶt ruling out returning to the characters one day.
91ƵI would never say that this is the end. If we get an idea somewhere down the line that feels fresh and necessary and relevant, I would absolutely entertain any form of revisiting these lovely, strange characters.91Ƶ
Victoria Ahearn, The Canadian Press
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