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What The Heck? ABC Orders 'The Middle' Spin-Off With Eden Sher

Eden Sher's Sue Heck character from "The Middle" will star in a spinoff next year.
Michael Ansell
/
Courtesy ABC
Eden Sher's Sue Heck character from "The Middle" will star in a spinoff next year.

Finally Eden Sher can act her age. The 26-year-old actress last seen playing college student Sue Heck on The Middle will star in a spin-off from the popular sitcom.

DeAnn Heline grew up in West Chester Township.
Credit Courtesy ABC
DeAnn Heline grew up in West Chester Township.

DeAnn Heline, a 1983 Lakota High School graduate, and Eileen Heisler, will create and executive produce the pilot.

They were creators and executive producers on The Middle,which ended in May after nine seasons.

"The Sue Heck Spin-off," first rumored shortly after the series ended, "follows the twentysomething adventures of eternal optimist Sue Heck (Sher) as she leaves the small town of Orson, Ind., to navigate the ups and downs of a career and young adulthood in the big city of Chicago," according to Deadline.com.

Sue Heck celebrated her 21st birthday in February.
Credit Courtesy ABC
Sue Heck celebrated her 21st birthday in February.

From the first day, Heline and Heisler – former Indiana University roommates – provided the heart and soul of The Middle,set in rural Indiana.  Heline has said she drew on her experiences living in Butler County when there was only one Lakota High School and more cows than subdivisions. Heline's mother was a Deer Park school teacher.

Heline and Heilser have written for and/or produced many hit shows, including  Roseanne, Murphy Brown, How I Met Your Mother, Ellenand Neil Patrick Harris'Doogie Howser M.D.

If ABC likes the pilot and orders more episodes, the spin-off could air next year.

"The Middle" starred Patricia Heaton, Charlie McDermott, Atticus Shaffer, Eden Sher and Neil Flynn.
Credit Courtesy ABC
"The Middle" starred Patricia Heaton, Charlie McDermott, Atticus Shaffer, Eden Sher and Neil Flynn.

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John Kiesewetter joined the WVXU news team as a TV/Media blogger on July 1 2015, after nearly 30 years covering local and national broadcasting for The Cincinnati Enquirer. He’ll be posting news about Greater Cincinnati TV, radio and movies; updating your favorite former local TV/radio personalities or stars who grew up here; and breaking news about national TV, radio and media trends. You’ll also learn about Cincinnati’s rich broadcasting history.