Why Did ‘Younger’ End After Season 7? The Inside Story

NEW YORK, N.Y. — The beloved TV Land comedy “Younger,” which starred Sutton Foster and Hilary Duff, concluded its seven-season run in 2021, leaving fans wondering why the popular series came to an end. The show, which originally aired on TV Land, wrapped up with its final season premiering on Paramount+ and Hulu before airing on TV Land.

“Younger” followed Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a 40-year-old divorced mother who pretends to be 26 to re-enter the workforce. The series, praised for its sharp writing and engaging cast, maintained a 97% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, though its audience score lagged slightly at 76%. Despite its success, the show’s creator, Darren Star, decided to conclude the series after seven seasons.

Star, who also created the Netflix hit “Emily in Paris,” revealed that he had always planned for season 7 to be the show’s final chapter. “Younger was not canceled,” Star emphasized. “It was a creative decision to end the story where it felt right.” The show’s conclusion coincided with Star’s growing focus on “Emily in Paris,” which premiered in 2020 and quickly gained traction.

Hilary Duff, who played Kelsey Peters, also had other commitments, including her role in the “How I Met Your Mother” spin-off, “How I Met Your Father.” Sutton Foster, the show’s lead, shifted her attention to projects like the animated series “Ridley Jones.” With the core cast members pursuing new opportunities, the timing felt right to bring “Younger” to a close.

The show’s premise—Liza’s deception about her age—had also reached a natural conclusion by season 7. Most major characters had discovered her secret, and the story arc had largely resolved. “There was only so much we could do with the initial premise,” Star explained. “It was time to let the characters move on.”

The shift in distribution for the final season reflected broader changes within Paramount Global, the parent company of TV Land and Paramount+. Originally, season 6 was slated to move to Paramount+, but the transition was delayed until season 7. This move was part of a larger restructuring effort within the media conglomerate, which also includes CBS News, BET, and other subsidiaries.

Despite the show’s conclusion, rumors of a spin-off centered on Duff’s character, Kelsey Peters, circulated for years. Star himself hinted at the possibility, but plans never materialized. In 2023, Nico Tortorella, who played Josh on the show, expressed optimism about a potential revival. “I think there most likely will be another version of that story at some point,” Tortorella said. “Whether it’s in the next five years, 10 years, who knows? I just can’t imagine there won’t be a film at some point.”

Duff echoed this sentiment, stating that she would be more excited about a “Younger” movie than a spin-off series. While no official projects have been confirmed, the cast’s enthusiasm suggests that the story of “Younger” may not be over yet.

For now, fans can revisit the series on Netflix, where it has recently begun streaming and is trending among viewers. With its mix of humor, drama, and romance, “Younger” remains a standout in the world of TV comedies, even as its characters move on to new adventures.