Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and stars Lauren Graham and Kelly Bishop have all expressed a willingness to return to Gilmore Girls. This comes after the mixed reception to Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, the 2016 Netflix revival that ended on a controversial note. The miniseries picked up nearly a decade after the original series concluded, with Lorelai (Graham), Rory (Alexis Bledel), and Emily (Bishop) navigating life changes. The revival’s final scene offered a full-circle moment for the beloved daughter-mother duo after Rory revealed she was pregnant.
In a conversation with TVInsider, Sherman-Palladino, Graham, and Bishop shared their thoughts on A Year in the Life and revealed that they are open to revisiting the Gilmore Girls universe. Sherman-Palladino expressed that while she hadn’t initially intended to return with a revival, the chemistry among the cast led to a decision to make the series happen. Graham, too, mentioned that the show never felt “done.” Read more of what they had to say below:
Sherman-Palladino: We never said ‘never’ because we didn’t actually intend to do the [revival] for Netflix. Then, we all got together for a panel [similar to tonight’s] and we went to a bar afterwards. We all thought, ‘Well, this was fun! Let’s just do it again! As you know, I love Stars Hollow. I love Lauren Graham more than life. I love Alexis, and Kelly Bishop is my ‘Contessa.’ I bow to her.
Graham: I’ve never been shy to say I would welcome coming back. My armchair analysis is that…when we went back to do the Netflix [revival], it didn’t yet feel done, which is why the story ended in a way that was not done or could potentially [be a beginning].
Bishop: I think [Emily] would just look at that little baby and say, ‘What can I do with this one? I can really mold this one to be the way I want!’
What This Means For Gilmore Girls
There’s Still Some Love For The Show
The potential for a Gilmore Girls continuation remains uncertain despite the enthusiasm of creator Amy Sherman-Palladino and some of Gilmore Girls‘ core cast. Lauren Graham has often expressed openness to returning, but her comments underscore the importance of whether a new season would feel right artistically. “Is it creatively warranted? Is it, you know, something? I don’t know. I don’t know. But yes, technically yes,” Graham explained in a 2021 interview (via US Weekly). Still, the ending of A Year In The Life partly left the door open for Rory to embark on her journey as a mother.
Milo Ventimiglia, who played Jess Marino, offered a more somber assessment of the possibility of continuing the show. In a 2017 interview (via US Weekly), he emphasized that there comes a time when a series has run its course, saying:
You can’t have something live on forever… these characters have to go on. These actors that play them, the writers that write them, they have to move on.
While the idea of a new season or continuation remains in flux, Netflix has yet to announce any official plans to renew A Year in the Life. The Gilmore Girls revival was a disappointment for some viewers, with only a 68% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Gilmore Girls continues to enjoy remarkable popularity: in 2022, it ranked among the most streamed shows globally, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This enduring love from audiences, coupled with the revival’s nostalgic appeal, means that, despite the lack of official news, there remains a significant interest in the future of Gilmore Girls.
Our Take On Returning To Stars Hollow
Nostalgia Can’t Always Carry A New Season
It’s tempting to want more seasons of Gilmore Girls, but continuing the story would likely diminish its lasting appeal. The revival’s ending, particularly Rory’s pregnancy, felt forced and a regression from her character’s journey for the sake of a brief full-circle moment. There’s also the risk of repeating the same storylines, which would only weaken what made the original series so compelling. Gilmore Girls is best remembered as an iconic, comfort show that’s perfect for a seasonal re-watch.
Source: TV Insider
Gilmore Girls
9/10
- Release Date
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2000 – 2007-00-00
- Writers
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Amy Sherman-Palladino
Gilmore Girls
9/10
- Release Date
-
2000 – 2007-00-00
- Writers
-
Amy Sherman-Palladino