‘The Good Wife’ Ending? Julianna Margulies Says ‘I’m Unemployed Come April’

Ever since CBS announced that “The Good Wife” creators Robert and Michelle King would be leaving the show following its current season, speculation has been mounting that the CBS legal drama could be ending.

Star Julianna Margulies may have poured fuel on that fire during a speech to honor the Kings at the Casting Society of America’s Artios Awards, in which she reportedly said, per Vulture, “I surprised Robert and Michelle tonight. They didn’t know I was going to be here. They think I’m here for them, but I’m unemployed come April, and I think you haven’t seen me in a while — at least not in person — so I thought I should show up.”

Sources tell Variety the star was joking, but that no decision has yet been made on whether the show will return for an eighth season. There’s speculation that CBS may look to try to bring the show back for a short final season of 10 to 13 episodes, but it’s unlikely to return for a full season.

CBS president Glenn Geller told reporters at the network’s recent Television Critics Assn. press tour presentation that he feels “the show can absolutely continue” without the Kings. The producers are also otherwise occupied with their upcoming comic thriller, “Brain Dead,” which is set for a summer debut. It’s part of their overall deal with CBS TV Studios, which also produces “The Good Wife.”

The series has already weathered two high-profile exits in front of the camera — Josh Charles left the show in Season 5, while Archie Panjabi exited at the end of Season 6 — but it’s hard to imagine “The Good Wife” continuing without its titular Good Wife.

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