ABC Confirms Fan-Favorite Characters Will Be Absent in Final Season of Hit Show
Fans of The Conners have been eagerly awaiting the return of the Conner family for the show’s seventh and final season, set to premiere on March 26, 2025. However, with the countdown to the series finale ticking away, ABC has confirmed that several key characters will not be returning for the final stretch of the beloved show.
The announcement comes as a significant surprise to many viewers who have followed the show since its revival in 2018.
Related: Disgraced ABC Star Promises to Sue Disney
“It’s bittersweet to see the show come to an end,” said executive producer Bruce Helford told TV Line. “We always knew this moment would come, but it’s tough to imagine the Conner family without some familiar faces.”
Among those confirmed to be absent from the final season are Johnny Galecki (David), Michael Fishman (DJ), and Estelle Parsons (Bev), who will not reprise their roles. The news has left many fans disappointed, as these characters have played pivotal roles throughout the series’ run.
But while they won’t appear on-screen, their stories won’t be entirely sidelined as the series wraps up its final chapter.
Related: ‘Home Improvement’ Star Reveals the REAL Reason the Show Ended
A Changing Cast Dynamic
Johnny Galecki, known for his iconic role on The Big Bang Theory, played David, Darlene’s ex-husband. His role in The Conners initially shifted from regular to guest star, primarily due to scheduling conflicts. His storyline, which had evolved over the years to portray David as a somewhat absent father, will remain an integral part of the final season.
Although Galecki won’t be on-screen, Helford confirmed that David’s presence will still be felt.
“David is very much mentioned, very much alive in the story. We love Johnny, and he’s always welcome. However, he’s more or less started life anew down in Nashville,” said Helford, giving fans a glimpse of where David’s story will take him outside the confines of Lanford.
Meanwhile, Fishman, who has played DJ Conner, the son of Dan and Roseanne, has not been a regular on the show since Season 5, when his character left to join his wife overseas. Fishman’s absence from the final season was expected, as his character had already been less involved in recent years.
Still, his departure marks a significant shift in the show, which once centered on the lives of the Conner children.
Estelle Parsons’ Departure: A Matter of Logistics
Perhaps the most poignant of the character departures comes from Estelle Parsons, who portrayed Bev, the tough and sometimes abrasive mother of Roseanne and Jackie.
At 97 years old, Parsons’ decision to step away from the show was primarily logistical. Living in New York while the show is filmed in Los Angeles, Parsons’ absence from the final season was a practical consideration, though it does leave a notable void in the Conner family dynamic.
Despite not being present on-screen, Bev’s legacy will continue to play a role in the finale. “We won’t see Bev interact with her family, but she will be spoken of before the series ends,” Helford confirmed. This decision acknowledges the character while honoring the actress’s age and distance.
Related: Behind the Scenes: Disney/ABC Struggle to Save ‘Good Morning America’ as Star Plans to Leave
A Shortened Final Season
The final season of The Conners will be a bittersweet one, with only six episodes to wrap up the Conner family’s saga. The premiere episode is set to air on March 26, 2025, followed by the series finale on April 30. Fans can expect a more condensed farewell to the characters they’ve loved for decades, as the show ends its run after a successful six-season spin-off from the original Roseanne series.
The departure of these key characters signals a transition for The Conners, which has navigated numerous changes over its seven seasons.
From the controversial exit of Roseanne Barr to the challenges of re-establishing the family without its central matriarch, the show has persevered, earning praise for its depiction of working-class America, family struggles, and resilience.
As the show moves toward its finale, fans are left reflecting on the legacy of The Conners and what its conclusion will mean for the characters who have defined it for so long. Although several beloved characters may be missing from the final season, their stories will continue to shape the series’ ending.
Are you ready to say goodbye to the Conners? Who are you most excited to see one last time on screen? Let us know your thoughts as we head into the final chapter of The Conners.
