The Middle Spinoff: Finesse Mitchell Cast as Sue Heck’s Bartender Buddy
When Sue relocates to Chicago for The Middle‘s spinoff pilot, she’ll have a fairy godfather to show her around town — and this one can get her free drinks! Finesse Mitchell (Saturday Night Live) has joined ABC‘s yet-untitled project in the series-regular role of Hudson, a bartender with a big heart who works at the same hotel as Sue, TVLine has learned exclusively.
Aside from his stint on SNL (2003–2006), Mitchell’s TV credits include roles on comedies like Showtime’s Roadies, Disney Channel’s A.N.T. Farm and ABC’s Splitting Up Together. His stand-up special, Finesse Mitchell: The Spirit Told Me to Tell You, premieres Friday, Oct. 19 at 10/9c on Showtime.
Though a flash-forward sequence at the end of The Middle‘s series finale revealed that Sue eventually marries her neighbor, this potential spinoff is set prior to that big day, leaving Sue single and ready to (awkwardly) mingle. “The [flash-forward] was like a ‘happily ever after,'” Eden Sher told TVLine in August, explaining that the spinoff finds “Sue being Sue as a young adult.”
Previously reported as Sue Sue in the City, the pilot is now back to being known as the “untitled Sue Heck spinoff.” Along with Sher, additional series regulars include Brock Ciarlelli, reprising the role of Sue’s Middle BFF Brad, and Kimberley Crossman (SMILF) as Remi, a romantically wounded chef working at the hotel.
Are you liking the way The Middle‘s Sue-centric spinoff is shaping up? Drop a comment with your thoughts below.
The series has already been given a name, it’s called Sue Sue in the City
That’s what I was thinking too.
How has there not been word that Sean will guest star?!? That seems insane to me.
Andy, you come down with amnesia? The title of the show is Sue Sue in the City.
It seems they noticed all of the negative feedback about the title, and are reconsidering it. I like the snippets of info they’ve given us about the new cast and characters so far. I’m disappointed it looks like Sean is being excluded, but hopefully if it goes to series they can bring him on board. Eden is a real talent, so I hope this is successful for her.
I’m so glad they’re working on a new title! “…in the City” has been done, more than once. And, I’m guessing that either Sean extends his work/stay in Ghana, or he’s off at medical school somewhere!
Thought the same thing (“…in the city”) Also, I agree on maybe bringing Sean in/back at some point…maybe the Sibs & Mom & Dad…. They should “visit” at some point!
Watched The Middle. Won’t watch this.
Yay!
Cant wait to see the sue sue show. Hope to see a little of the hecks also. Make the name year of sue lol
I like that idea for a title much better!
Why not name it North side or South side.
Was sad to see the Middle” end. The cast is like ” your long lost family” So this new “spin off” should be just as funny! Bring some of the old cast members in!!
Yay! Brad’s going with her.
I can’t wait for this show!!! They should call it .. Hecking it Up in the City.. just a thought
More like hacking it up
No this looks stupid, middle was perfect, this looks like rehashing adnauseum, spinoff should have been brick with a single action camera, and self narrative style
Sue Being Sue would be a great show title
We’ll have to withhold judgement on this show until we see how it is actually handled, but, with that said, I have real serious doubts that someone like Sue would enjoy life in Chicago.
It wil be just as interesting on how they play Chicago itself.
This is great news! I loved Sue on The Middle.
This is the first casting mistake for this show.
Who? The African-American guy or the gay guy??
Finesse Mitchell. He is NOT funny in my opinion.
OK, first of all “fairy godfather”….talk about a bad gay stereotype. And secondly, I agree that I wonder have they’ll show her in Chicago. My Boys is the only sitcom I’ve seen that tried to portray a Chicago apartment correctly. One of my few arguments against Happy Endings
ABC should just rename it Chicago: S.U.E., get in on some of that NBC Chicago action…
sounds good, however, really want to see Axil as a regular too.
I watched and enjoyed every episode of The Middle, I think I will pass on this show because they are taking a character who has been very true to herself and changing her into something else. Sue would never leave her family so far away, she wouldn’t live in a big city, she wouldn’t work at a big hotel, or be hanging out in the bar. Also, they built up the Sue/Sean thing so much on the Middle, that it seems crazy to now be having them separate yet again. I liked the small town middle of nowhere attitude with regular good people. I don’t need to see them completely different. Very disappointed. Would have watched if it were a little closer to the original.
In the final episode Frankie stated that Sue and Sean got together and broke up before finally marrying. I have no doubt this show will deal with the break up(s) and make up(s). Chicago to Orson isn’t that far, they have driven to Chicago in the show. Makes perfect sense she wants to spread her wings a bit. It’s not like she’s going to Denver like Axl.
I am very disappointed in the direction this show is taking. Am only pleased that Brad will be accompanying Sue to Chicago. Weird Ashley was also a Hotel Hospitality major on The Middle and that character/actress would have been a superb addition to this spinoff! It’s now doubtful that I will watch this show even though Eden Sher/Sue was always my favorite on The Middle.