Will & Grace is ending, for good this time
It’s the final curtain. (NBC)
Rebooted gay sitcom Will & Grace is coming to an end for the second time, this time for good.
The cast and crew announced on Thursday (July 25) that the show will draw to a close with its upcoming eleventh season.
Will & Grace initially ran for eight seasons from 1998 to 2006, and was one of the first mainstream TV shows to focus on gay characters.
It made a return to air for a revival in 2017, and earned a double renewal after ratings success.
However, the cast explained that the season set to debut in October will wrap up the story for good.
Will & Grace stars sad at show’s end
Debra Messing, who plays Grace Adler, explained on Instagram: “The creative team got together and we decided it was the right time. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to reunite and do the show AGAIN.
“It was only supposed to be 10 episodes, but because of you, the fans, it has turned into 3 YEARS. What a miracle.
“We are all committed to making this season the best ever, and to wrap up the story of Will, Grace, Jack and Karen in a way that feels meaningful and right.”
Megan Mullally, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing and Sean Hayes arrive at NBC’s “Will & Grace” FYC Event at the Harmony Gold Theatre on June 9, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevin Winter/Getty)
She added: “THANK YOU NBC for bringing us all back together. We have been spoiled, once again, by brilliant writers and producers, and the best crew in town. I love you all. ❤️”
Sean Hayes, who plays Jack McFarland, added: “For all Will & Grace fans, I am sharing the news that this is going to be our last and final season.
“To everyone who watched the first run and to everyone that encouraged this reboot, we did it all for you. ❤️ Love to you all. ”
Eric McCormack, who plays Will Truman, added: “We’re taking this one out like we brought it in: with love, laughs, gratitude… and on our own terms. Season 3 of #WillandGrace (well, season 11!) will be our grand finale… and it’s gonna be FANTASTIC!”
Megan Mullalay, who plays Karen Walker, added: “All things must pass, and the Will & Grace television program is no exception. we’ve decided to end the show after this 3rd revival season… i know, it’s very sad! we’ll miss you!”
She added: “Lots of love and huge thanks to you from everyone at Will & Grace. ?♀️?♂️?♀️?♂️”
Creators: We decided to go out on a high
Explaining their reason for ending the show, creators David Kohan and Max Mutchnick explained: “At the end of this year, we will have made a total of 246 episodes of Will & Grace over 11 seasons and 21 years.
“It is our belief that throughout this time, we have been able to sustain a level of quality that we can all be incredibly proud of, especially these past three seasons.
“In the interest of protecting the legacy of this show and the truly outstanding work that went into making every episode, we have decided now is the time to stop.”
The pair continued: “We should all consider ourselves very lucky, we have all had a once-in-a-lifetime experience twice. Thank you. We love you.”
