America Ferrera To Leave ‘Superstore’ At The End Of This Season
Whilst NBC’s ‘Superstore‘ has been renewed for a 6th Season, it will return without one of the lead cast, as America Ferrera announces she will leave the show at the end of the current season.
The workplace comedy stars America Ferrera and Ben Feldman a follows the unique family of employees at a supersized megastore. Ferrera stars as Amy, who recently was promoted to be the store manager and is the glue holding the place together, with Feldman as Jonah, a dreamer determined to prove work doesn’t have to be boring.
“The last five years on ‘Superstore’ have been some of the most rewarding, enriching and enjoyable years of my career,” commented Ferrera. “Producing, directing and acting with this wonderful cast and crew has given me opportunities to grow as a person and storyteller. I’m so grateful to my partners at NBC and Universal Television for the support and belief they have always placed in the show, and I’m most thankful to the brilliant Justin Spitzer for creating the funny, smart and relevant world of ‘Superstore’ and inviting me to be a part of it. As I start the next chapter for my family and career, I wish only the best, and much-continued success, to my beloved ‘Superstore’ family.”
The move will see Ferrera leave before the end of her contract, and whilst she doesn’t specify a reason for leaving early, she does mention the “next chapter for my family and career”. The actress had her first child back in 2018, and her second is due later this year, so it could be as simple as wanting to spend a bit more time with her young family. There have also been changes behind the scenes this season, with creator Justin Spitzer stepping down as showrunner to focus on other projects, handing over the reins to Gabe Miller & Jonathan Green.
“America is a force of nature who not only pours her heart and soul into acting and producing on ‘Superstore,’ but into the many causes and initiatives she supports,” adds Pearlena Igbokwe, President, Universal Television. “Over the last five seasons, she has earned our gratitude and respect.”
Ferrera not only starred in the series, but was also an exec producer and directed four episodes of the comedy. Outside of tv, she has been active in political support for various issues including getting Latinos to vote in the US, speaking at the Women’s March on Washington, and the Families Belong Together protest. She also is a founding member of the Time’s Up legal defence fund.
“America’s immeasurable contributions to ‘Superstore,’ both in front of and behind the camera as well as an ambassador for the show, can’t possibly be quantified,” said Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta, Co-Presidents, Scripted Programming, NBC Entertainment. “We feel so fortunate to call her both a colleague and friend.”
‘Superstore’ continues to rank as one of NBC’s strongest digital performers, generating 50% of its “live plus 35 day” 18-49 average this season from digital sources, tying ‘The Good Place’ as NBC’s most digital series so far this season. The series was created by Justin Spitzer, who serves as an executive producer with director Ruben Fleischer and David Bernad. Gabe Miller & Jonathan Green serve as executive producers and co-showrunners.
‘Superstore‘ airs on NBC in the US, with America Ferrera’s final episode airing Thursday, April 16, 2020, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The series is broadcast on ITV2 in the UK.
