The spinoff of The Fosters, titled Good Trouble, faced an untimely cancellation, leaving fans yearning for another season to tie up loose ends. Originally premiering on the ABC Family channel—later rebranded to Freeform—The Fosters debuted in 2013 and enjoyed a successful run of five seasons before concluding on June 6, 2018. While the conclusion of the Foster family saga brought sadness, fans were elated by the announcement of Good Trouble, which premiered in January 2019.
Good Trouble transitions the narrative from the Adams Foster household in San Diego to the lives of sisters Callie (portrayed by Maia Mitchell) and Mariana (Cierra Ramirez) in vibrant Los Angeles. Now in their young adulthood, the sisters navigate life in a communal living space known as The Coterie, encountering new challenges in their careers and relationships. The spinoff exceeded its predecessor in popularity; however, viewers were left wanting more as it was abruptly canceled after its fifth season, necessitating last-minute changes from the creative team to provide a sense of closure.
Reasons Behind the Cancellation of Good Trouble
Impact of Freeform’s Strategic Direction
The cancellation of Good Trouble after its sixth season was primarily attributed to Freeform’s inability to justify the show’s production costs amid changing financial dynamics within the company. In December 2023, shortly before the anticipated airing of season five, it was officially announced that the series would not return. The decision coincided with Freeform’s broader strategy to streamline operations, which included the cancellation of Cruel Summer, marking an end to the channel’s last remaining scripted content as Disney sought to reduce costs by $2 billion.
A significant turning point for Freeform came when the channel was removed from Spectrum’s lineup following a landmark agreement between Disney and the telecommunications provider. This shift significantly impacted viewership, contributing to the channel’s financial difficulties. The combined effects of the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike intensified these existing problems, ultimately precipitating the show’s cancellation. As showrunner Joanna Johnson recounted:
“After the writers’ strike ended, we were making schedules to get up and running, and I got a call from the network… saying, ‘Just a head’s up, a lot of things are changing in the business right now, and so, we kind of don’t know if we’re, for sure, going to get to pick the show up.’ We were all very surprised because we had left Season 5 99.9% sure we were coming back for Season 6.”
Johnson further elaborated on how the ramifications of the Spectrum deal impacted the fate of the show:
“The strikes were long and bruising. All the networks and studios are scrambling because they’re losing money. They have to make cuts in different places. And Freeform was not part of the Spectrum cable deal, leading to significant viewer loss. So just a lot of things kind of happened.”
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Disney granted the Good Trouble team the opportunity to create additional scenes for an extended finale, allowing them to deliver a more fulfilling conclusion, although it fell short of their initial vision (via TheWrap).
Joanna Johnson’s Perspective on the Cancellation
Understanding Industry Budgets and Business Decisions
Joanna Johnson expressed gratitude to Disney for affording them the chance to refilm an enhanced finale, emphasizing that not every show is granted such an opportunity:
“There are a lot of really good people in the business, and they really took care of us and let us do that. It would have broken my heart if we had just pulled the plug and not been able to resolve things.”
To Johnson, the show’s end was not about cancellation in the conventional sense. Instead, she viewed it as a reflection of the rapidly evolving television industry and economic imperatives, which had no bearing on the show’s quality:
“I don’t feel like the show was cancelled. I feel like things changed, and the landscape changed, and they just couldn’t afford to do the show.”
She acknowledged that the support from network executives such as Simran Sethi and Craig Erwich was instrumental in communicating the difficulties faced:
“…they fought so hard for us, trying to get us that Season 6. They’ve been phenomenal.”
Ultimately, Johnson recognized that while there were efforts to save the show, financial realities would dictate hard decisions:
“They all tried. But I really understand it comes down to business decisions, and those are hard.”
In an emotional farewell, Maia Mitchell reflected on her decade-long partnership with her co-star Cierra Ramirez on her Instagram, sharing:
“10 years of making TV with my best friend. Could not be more proud of you [Cierra].”
Cierra Ramirez also posted her sentiments online, expressing her gratitude to fans and colleagues:
“So many emotions right now after hearing that our beloved show, Good Trouble, has come to an end. The greatest one of all, being gratitude.”
The emotional weight of the cancellation resonated deeply with the cast who had been integral to the franchise since its inception with The Fosters.
Unresolved Storylines in Season 5
Rushed Character Arcs in the Finale
The finale showcased an array of character fates that lacked the depth they deserved due to the rushed nature of production. For example, Alice (Sherry Cola) announced her successful acting career, which certainly hinted at a promising storyline for season six, while Gael (Tommy Martinez) chose to abandon an apprenticeship, opting instead to focus on street art—a significant change that needed further exploration. Meanwhile, Davia (Emma Hunton) and Dennis (Josh Pence) agreed on a long-distance relationship, though their future remained uncertain.
Though the finale aimed to acknowledge every important character, Johnson’s creative intent was hampered by limited screen time, leading to succinct resolutions that felt inadequate. The finale’s resolution of the love triangle among Mariana, Joaquin (Bryan Craig), and Evan (T. J.Linnard) lacked nuance, as viewers were left with unanswered questions regarding Joaquin’s perspective and how the couple reconciled their relationship after a life-threatening incident.
The Cultural Impact of Good Trouble
The Importance of LGBTQ+ Representation in Media
Good Trouble was a standout show among Gen Z audiences, deserving of another season to continue its legacy. Like its predecessor, The Fosters, it was one of the few network television productions actively inclusive of LGBTQ+ narratives. Unfortunately, it is disheartening to witness a trend where shows featuring LGBTQ+ themes frequently face premature cancellations. The ensemble of characters in Good Trouble exemplified a rich diversity that is often overlooked in mainstream media, generating relatable stories that resonate with its audience.
The series’ approach to diversity was authentic and significant, allowing the storytelling to transcend into the universal themes of personal growth and connection, while simultaneously uplifting voices traditionally sidelined in narratives. Spinoffs like Good Trouble are scarce, yet creators like Joanna Johnson remain committed to forging narratives that matter, and fans look forward to her future projects in the entertainment sphere.
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