Warning: Article contains spoilers for Younger!
Despite fan anticipation, the Hilary Duff-led Younger spinoff was ultimately canceled, leaving fans wondering about the reasons behind the decision and the potential for its revival. From 2015 to 2021, Younger revolved around Liza Miller (Sutton Foster), a 40-year-old woman who deceives others about her age to secure a job in the book publishing industry. Throughout the series, she forges a close bond with 28-year-old editor Kelsey Peters (Hilary Duff) at Empirical Printing.
While the show primarily focuses on Liza’s journey, Kelsey emerges as a strong contender for the main character. She serves as the linchpin for Liza’s friend group, propels Liza’s career forward, and boasts the most compelling character arc. Given Kelsey’s appeal and Hilary Duff’s stellar portrayal, creator Darren Star toyed with the idea of a spinoff centered around her character. Unfortunately, the spinoff was scrapped before production commenced.
A Younger Spinoff Series About Hilary Duff’s Kelsey Was In Development Before The Show Ended
Hilary Duff Could Have Led A Younger Spinoff Set In Los Angeles
Prior to the conclusion of Younger, Darren Star and ViacomCBS began crafting a spinoff series focused on Kelsey Peters, portrayed by Hilary Duff. At the series finale, Kelsey embarks on launching her own publishing company, Inkubator. While she receives an offer from Empirical Press, she also explores other potential backers. Eventually, Kelsey lands a deal with Reece Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine media company, necessitating her move to Los Angeles. The proposed spinoff would have tracked Kelsey’s life in LA, detailing her new role and relationships.
Kelsey Peters and Liza Miller were the only characters to appear in every episode of Younger.
In an interview with Variety in April 2021, Darren Star likened the potential spinoff to a female-centric Entourage, excluding all Younger characters except Kelsey. However, Star later hinted that Lauren might also make the move to California due to her diverse life and career pursuits. The enduring friendship between Kelsey and Lauren throughout Younger suggested that their relocation to a fresh locale would have been fitting. Nevertheless, Star revealed in a June 2021 TV Line interview that the spinoff was no longer a possibility.
Younger’s Creator Revealed Kelsey’s Story Had Already Ended Before The Spinoff
Kelsey Didn’t Need A Spinoff For A Satisfying Ending
Despite the potential for Kelsey-led spinoff, Star’s comments about Kelsey’s resolved storyline suggest that the decision to halt the spinoff development may have been prudent. Star clarified that Kelsey’s narrative had always been leading towards relocating to California as an independent woman, serving as her intended conclusion.
Kelsey’s endearing character traits and Hilary Duff’s proven track record in television roles underscore her capability to lead a series. However, the decision to shelve the Younger spinoff aligns with Star’s narrative intention for Kelsey’s character arc.
Could A Younger Spinoff With Hilary Duff Still Happen?
The Younger Spinoff Seems More Possible Than In The Past
Following the conclusion of Younger, the odds of a Hilary Duff-led spinoff seemed bleak as Darren Star moved on to new projects. Nevertheless, recent developments indicate a higher likelihood of the Younger spinoff gaining traction.
Ultimately, if Younger premieres on Netflix, the excitement from fans could reignite the chances of a Kelsey-led spinoff.
Recent cancellations of Duff’s projects and Star’s projects suggest a potential window for a Younger spinoff resurgence. With various factors aligning, Duff’s availability and Star’s schedule present an opportunity for a revival of the spinoff.
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