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There are shows that come and go, and then there’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a sitcom show that somehow never really disappears. It slips under the radar at times, but it always comes back. No big announcements, no campaigns to save it, no promises of reinvention. Just the same five people, in the same bar, doing things they probably shouldn’t.
And now, one of those five has spoken. Danny DeVito, who’s been playing Frank Reynolds since Season 2, gave a small but significant update. During a recent interview, he confirmed that Season 18 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is not only happening, but filming is already on the calendar. It wasn’t framed as breaking news. It didn’t come with any major reveal. Just a matter-of-fact statement. Still, it landed with weight. Because whenever DeVito talks about the show, it usually means something is moving behind the scenes.
This matters for a series that’s been running since 2005. Most shows that start around that time have long since wrapped up. They found closure or lost momentum. This one just kept going. Not because it changed, but because it didn’t. That’s what sets it apart.
A quiet confirmation with big meaning
DeVito’s update wasn’t detailed. He didn’t outline scripts or themes or who might guest star. But the fact that filming is officially scheduled confirms that It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn’t done. Not yet. For fans who’ve followed for nearly two decades since its debut in 2005, this kind of small confirmation carries more weight than a full trailer might.
In his own words:
“We’re going to go again next season. We just talked about when we’re going to start. And it's something that you look forward to because it really is so much fun. I love these guys and Kaitlin and Mary Elizabeth and Artemis, and everybody that's on the show. And Lynne, we miss.”
He also added a clear production update, saying, pointing to a concrete timeline for the beginning of Season 18:
“We start at the end of January”
There’s something about how this show communicates that makes everything feel casual. There’s no pressure to build hype. If an update appears, it just does. And somehow, that approach works. It always has.
Season 17 didn’t hold back
Even without the promise of more episodes, the seventeenth season of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia felt like the creators were still playing around, not in a forced way, but more like they still find things that amuse them and decide to follow those threads.
One episode turned Frank into a reality TV contestant. Not just any show, but a parody of The Golden Bachelor. Somehow, that ridiculous setup fit him perfectly. Another episode blended worlds with Abbott Elementary. It didn’t seem like something that should work. But it did. The tone stayed intact. The characters didn’t break from who they’ve always been. Just new backdrops. Same energy.
This kind of experimentation isn’t about chasing relevance. It’s more about staying interested. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has always been about doing things because they sound funny or strange or wrong in the right way.
Critics keep circling the same question
There’s a familiar debate surrounding It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Should it still be on air? Is it repeating itself? Is that a problem?
Some writers argue that the lack of character development is a sign of creative stagnation. Others think it’s exactly what makes the show work. The gang doesn’t learn. They don’t evolve. There’s no redemption, no growth, just the same patterns over and over. That becomes the point.
Even when jokes hit differently or ideas get recycled, it’s all part of the structure. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn’t trying to surprise every time. It’s leaning into what’s already there and twisting it, just enough.
The audience hasn’t left
For a show that’s never been a ratings giant, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has managed to keep its numbers surprisingly steady. The fanbase isn’t huge, but it doesn’t fade. It sticks around. The kind of people who enjoy this show don’t tend to move on quickly. There’s something in the familiarity, the bluntness, the unapologetic nature of it all that keeps them coming back.
Streaming has also helped. New viewers discover It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia in chunks, sometimes watching entire seasons in a week. Others return to favorite episodes like comfort food, even when the scenes are far from comforting.
No need to reset the formula
Most long-running series eventually feel pressure to evolve. A character changes jobs. Someone dies. A new location is introduced. None of that happens in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Not really. The characters still hang around the same bar. They still argue about nonsense. The scale is small. The ambition is weird. And that’s why it works.
There’s no illusion that these people are going to become better versions of themselves. The writers know that. The audience knows it too. That shared understanding keeps the tone steady, even when the plots shift.
What’s coming in Season 18
So far, no storyline has been revealed. The cast of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia seems to be returning as usual. No major departures. No spin-off announcements. Just another round of filming coming up.
If the schedule holds, Season 18 could land sometime in late 2025 or early 2026. That’s not confirmed, but it’s the rhythm the show has followed in the past. Things tend to move quickly once the cameras roll.
Expectations are hard to define here. No one’s looking for a game-changer. Just more of the same, in the best way possible, with few guest appearances, a handful of episodes that go quite far, and maybe one or two that feel oddly quiet before exploding into something loud and messy.
How It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia stays the same by design
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia isn’t a show that adapts to the moment. It takes the moment into its own space. When current events show up, they’re filtered through this specific lens. The absurd becomes more absurd. Nothing is safe, but nothing is too serious either. It walks a strange line, always has.
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The announcement from DeVito isn’t a big twist. It’s just a reminder. The gang is still around. The show isn’t finished. And whether people are still watching out of loyalty or genuine curiosity, it doesn’t matter. New episodes are coming.
That’s all it takes. One quick update. One more round of filming. The cycle continues.
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