‘The Conners’ Wraps Up After Seven Seasons: What The Cast Said About The Series Ending

On April 23, ABC’s The Conners wrapped up the series with a two-part finale episode. After seven seasons and more than 100 episodes, fans and cast members alike have plenty of memories from the show that followed the Conner family from the original Roseanne sitcom. Many of the actors have also spoken up this year about how they felt about the series ending. Keep reading to find out more about what the cast had to say about The Conners being over after its seventh season. Plus, take a look back at some of the show’s biggest moments.

What have the stars of ‘The Conners’ said about the show ending?

Sara Gilbert

Gilbert, who played the second-oldest child and daughter Darlene Conner, was a critical part of the series. Not only did she return to reprise her character, but she served as an executive producer, as well.

Prior to the finale airing, the 50-year-old actress shared what it was like working with that group for seven seasons.  

“I think we just have such a good time and we laugh a lot,” Gilbert told People magazine. “And the group, not just the cast, but the crew as well, the writers. It feels like family, and because we did it for so many years, it’s sort of deep in our soul. And so that is hard to imagine being without.”

John Goodman

The 72-year-old actor returned to the series in 2018 as patriarch Dan Conner. During a behind-the-scenes retrospective, Goodman shared with his fellow castmates that he hoped fans were able to see a little of themselves in the Conners.

“Humor has always been the thing that has pulled this family through,” he added, according to Us magazine. “I am going to miss it very, very much. Above all, we had fun.”

Lecy Goranson

After Goranson (oldest daughter Becky Conner) left for college as a teenager, she began appearing sporadically on the original Roseanne series before leaving for good in Season 9. Decades later, she returned to The Conners to reprise the character full-time.

This time, however, she seemed reluctant to say goodbye.

“I’m already thinking of the next thing for all of us, including the crew,” Goranson revealed to People. “I’m an optimist and I’m thinking, ‘How do I keep us all together? I just refuse to believe that it’s done.”

Laurie Metcalf

Another Roseanne original character and fan favorite on The Conners was Metcalf’s Jackie Harris—Roseanne’s younger sister.  Like Goranson, Metcalf was hopeful that the end of the series didn’t mean the end of the fictional family’s working relationship.

“It would be interesting if we broke off in little groups and did other projects,” she told People. “And could see each other in different cameos on other things here and there. That’ll be interesting.”

Emma Kenney

Kenney joined the cast as Darlene’s teenage daughter, Harris Conner-Healy. Though she may not have as long of a history with the rest of the Conner family, she was still just as emotional about the series ending.

“A lot of people grew up with that set and those characters and storylines — especially the people I was working with,” Kenney shared in an interview with TVLine.com. “A lot of our crew were crew members on the original, and it was a very emotional last week. I’m really fortunate to have been a part of it, and make such special memories with those people.”

A look back at big moments on ‘The Conners’

Roseanne’s death

Because The Conners began as a result of the cancellation of the original Roseanne reboot, the writers needed a way to remove the title character from the show. So they made the controversial decision to have Roseanne Conner die from an opioid overdose.

As the show started its wrap-up this year, the final episodes came full circle to address her death once again. Dan tried suing the pharmaceutical company responsible, and did manage to walk away with a small payout. The family gathered around to celebrate, only to discover the $700 check was described as nothing more than a “tribute to your unwavering commitment to your beloved wife.”

Becky goes to rehab

In Season 1, Dan learned his oldest daughter had been struggling with alcohol addiction. Though she gave up drinking when she became pregnant with her child, Beverly-Rose (after a fertility struggle), she later relapsed in Season 3.

After being confronted by her aunt Jackie, Becky went to rehab for treatment. While she did leave early, insisting it was unnecessary, the character did eventually manage to become sober.

Harris takes over The Lunch Box

In the original series, Roseanne and Jackie open a small restaurant in town called The Lunch Box. Later in The Conners, it is revealed that while Roseanne closed the place down for unknown reasons, their mother, Beverly still owned the property. Jackie decides to reopen the location as The Lunch Box once again.

But in Season 6, Jackie realizes her heart is no longer in it, prompting Harris to step up and take over. The move by the character, who had been portrayed as rebellious and often bratty, surprised fans.

Dan gets remarried

In season 1, Louise Goldufski (played by Katey Sagal) joined the cast as an old high school friend of Dan’s. Though she was quickly interested in the recent widower, he wasn’t ready for a relationship.

Eventually, the duo got together and went on to marry in Season 4, despite some initial apprehension from his family. Later that same season, Louise’s brother Neville married Jackie.

Jackie forgives her mother

Jackie and her mother Beverly had always had a rocky relationship. But things took an unexpected turn when it was revealed in Season 5 that Beverly was battling Alzheimer’s disease. Jackie had no choice but to put her resentment aside to serve as a caregiver.

Eventually, in Season 6, Bev’s cognitive decline slowed as a result of a drug trial for dementia. Her improvement gave the 96-year-old character and her daughter a chance to make amends before Bev moved on to a new chapter in her life.