The writer-producer tandem of Dan Goor and Michael Schur felt that an American sitcom set in a police station (last explored prominently back in the 1980s) would be a great hit in the 2010s, and they were proven right when FOX premiered “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” in 2013. Its careful balance of real-life police-related issues and laugh-out-loud humor was effective. When FOX cancelled the series in 2018 after five seasons, NBC (which had initially passed on it) picked up season 6 within 30 hours. Thanks to this miracle save “B99” completed two more seasons and is ready to premiere a new one this year, but it will be the last, possibly permanently.

As Variety would have it, the funny but lovable detectives of the NYPD 99th Precinct will be seeing to their final rodeo when season 8 of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” premieres sometime in 2021. The news was dropped this past Thursday, February 11, by NBC, which had turned down the original pitch by creators Michael Shur and Dan Goor only to rescue the series following its cancellation at FOX. NBCUniversal Television and Streaming president for scripted content Lisa Katz recalled the excitement at the network back in 2018 when they decided to take in “B99” after all.

“We’ve always loved these characters and the way they make us laugh while also masterfully weaving in storylines that make us reflect as well,” says Katz adding, “A big thank you to our wonderful partners – Dan Goor, the writers, producers and the incredibly talented cast and crew – for a comedy whose legacy will stand the test of time.” Her sentiments are shared by Universal Studio Group chairman Perlena Igbokwe, who described “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as a jewel in their “comedy crown.” The love for the series was so palpable that a developer for LEGO videogames created a tribute in 2018, first for its FOX cancellation, then to celebrate its NBC pickup.

In seven aired seasons “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” has received accolades from award-giving bodies not just for the inspired comedy acting of its cast, which includes Adam Samberg (Golden Globes), Melissa Fumero, Terry Crews and Andre Braugher (Emmy nominations), but also for its deft handling of sensitive topics such as LGBT issues, for which the series received a GLAAD Media Award. When season 8’s production was delayed by COVID-19, some of its plots were tweaked to address the pandemic as well as the killing of George Floyd. The last season of “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” can be expected to premiere in the 2021-22 season.

Image courtesy of Metro UK

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