Jane Fonda Gave an Exciting Update About 'Grace and Frankie' Season 7
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Since Grace and Frankie season 6 premiered in January of 2020, viewers have been anticipating the next and final chapter of Grace (Jane Fonda) and Frankie (Lily Tomlin)'s adventures. In the fall of 2019, the beloved comedy was renewed for season 7, its last installment. But how does one say goodbye to this iconic duo? After all, Grace and Frankie is the longest-running original TV show in Netflix’s history.
While a lot is still under wraps about season 7, series cocreator and showrunner Marta Kauffman hinted to Good Housekeeping that the storyline will be much different than what we've seen in the past. "In terms of season 7, I can't say too much, but we're going to be dealing with Robert, Sol, Grace and Frankie in a way in that we haven't seen before," she revealed.
Intriguing, right? Here's what we know about Grace & Frankie season 7 so far:
When will Grace and Frankie season 7 premiere on Netflix?
Although Grace and Frankie season 7 is confirmed, a premiere date has yet to be announced.
Since the series debuted in 2015, new seasons have come out about a year apart. Unfortunately, this timeline has been affected. After the coronavirus pandemic halted production in March of 2020, the cast was ready to return to set in January 2021. But Jane later shared that this date was pushed back as an extra precaution.
“We’ve gotten word that Grace and Frankie will continue filming our 7th and final season in early June of 2021,” she wrote in a November 2020 blog post. “A long time to wait but, given the age and vulnerability of the four leads, it’s best. I’ll be headed into 84 by the time we’re done. Yikes!”
Most recently, ahead of the first day of summer, Jane gave fans the exciting update that she was finally returning to set. “I’m getting excited that we’ll start filming Grace & Frankie again tomorrow,” she wrote on her blog on June 20. “I’ve enjoyed having to learn my lines for my scenes tomorrow and Tuesday.”
According to actor Martin Sheen, who plays Grace’s ex-husband, filming will conclude "maybe the beginning of November." He also shared that part of the new season is already filmed and could be released early to hold fans over.
“They’re talking about the possibility of streaming the four episodes we’ve done because it seems to have an arc and they’ve got it all ready to go,” Martin told SiriusXM’s radio host Bruce Bozzi. “So maybe they’ll put them on and you’ll see the first four episodes.”
That said, Grace and Frankie season 7 may still not premiere until 2022. Luckily, there will be 16 new episodes. But if you can’t wait to find out what happens next, you’ll want to check out the virtual table reading for the season 7 premiere entitled “The Fallout.”
Why was Grace and Frankie canceled?
In September of 2019, the co-creators and stars of Grace and Frankie shared the news that the comedy would be ending after seven seasons.
“We are both delighted and heartbroken that Grace & Frankie will be back for its seventh, though final, season,” Jane and Lily said in a statement, per Variety. “We’re so grateful that our show has been able to deal with issues that have really connected to our grand generation. And their kids, and amazingly, their kids as well! We’ll miss these two old gals, Grace and Frankie, as much as many of their fans will, but we’ll still be around. We’ve outlasted so many things — just hope we don’t outlast the planet.”
Shortly after, Marta explained to the Los Angeles Times the reasoning behind this choice.
"It was a combination of things. Netflix isn’t doing long-term series anymore. And we are really lucky that we got the seventh season," she told the outlet. "I think when we started, we imagined seven seasons. But, really, this is the kind of decision that comes from Netflix. But as sad as I am that it’s ending, there’s something that makes sense about it."
Who is in the cast of Grace and Frankie season 7?
Thankfully, Grace and Frankie season 7 will feature all of the show's beloved main cast:
Jane Fonda as Grace
Lily Tomlin as Frankie
Sam Waterson as Sol
Martin Sheen as Robert
Brooklyn Decker as Mallory
June Diane Raphael as Brianna
Baron Vaughn as Bud
Ethan Embry as Coyote
What’s more, country music legend Dolly Parton will join the cast as a guest star. In an interview with the U.K. show Lorraine, the 75-year-old music icon shared her excitement about reuniting with her former 9 to 5 costars.
"I've been trying to do Grace and Frankie for years," she said. "We worked so well together on 9 to 5, it's a crazy wonderful show."
"We've been trying to write me in somehow. So, when it's safe for us to actually do a production when they're back, I'll probably get around to doing that," Dolly added.
Are there any season 7 spoilers?
We don't know much more beyond the fact that season 7 will show us a new side of Grace, Frankie, Sol and Robert.
At the end of the day, as fans say goodbye to Grace and Frankie, Marta hopes they walk away with a renewed sense of confidence and (of course) a greater appreciation for their best, most supportive friends.
"My hope is that [the show] inspires people to realize that just because one phase of your life ends doesn't mean that another one doesn't begin — and it can be better than the previous phases," Marta tells us. "I hope people realize they are vibrant, and sexual, and with a good woman friend, you can do anything."
How can I watch and stream Grace and Frankie?
You can watch (or rewatch!) seasons 1 through 6 on the Netflix website or the Netflix app. First time users can sign up for a plan starting at $8.99. You can change your plan or cancel online anytime.
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