Mara Brock Akil opens up about Girlfriends unfinished Story and what she’d love to do next

The popular sitcom Girlfriends premiered in September 2000 and was one of the beloved comedy dramas of the time due to its focus on the friendships of young women in their 20s. However, the love of the audience did not protect it from being axed, as right after the writers' strike of 2007-08, CW abruptly cancelled the series without giving a proper ending to the women's stories.

Recently, Mara Brock Akil, creator of Girlfriends, shared with Deadline how heartbreaking it was to not be able to finish the story of the four women and their male best friend, William's story. However, in the interview, she also shared that, with the right resources, she is open to finishing the unfinished story with a movie. She said:

"That’s a long preamble basically to say I would be very open to completing the story in a film. I think that would be very fun, that would be my dream. But it needs the right resources and support and the right distribution - it needs the right package to be treated as the gem that it is."

More on this in our story.

Girlfriends: Mara Brock Ali is open to doing a film to finish the story

The American sitcom Girlfriends followed four women, Joan, Lynn, Maya, Toni, and their male best friend, William. The 8 seasons of the series presented the various challenges the characters faced, whether it's personal, such as clashes among them or difficulties arising in professional settings, it covered their lives' highs and lows.

It was a beloved show that depicted complex stories centering women of the Black community when not many shows were created around these narratives. Therefore, the sudden cancellation by CW in 2008 hit the viewers and the cast and crew as well because it ended without an ending, resulting in unfinished stories.

Creator Mara Brock Ali talked about the painful decision with Deadline. However, she also shared how Girlfriends, now streaming on Netflix, allowed the show to shine once more and find a new global audience, who want an ending. She shared:

"That was very painful to not be able to finish the story of those four women and William, but now it’s interesting because, back in the day, the limitations of the network, it was not gonna reach you and other audiences around the world, so I think the fact that it’s been on Netflix, it is proving that great storytelling that’s relatable and complex and fun and messy is what has a huge world audience, so I’m really thankful that the show’s been able to prove [itself] and find new audiences even in yourself who want more, [who think,] ‘That’s not enough,’ and they’re like, ‘We want the ending.'"

As per Deadline, CW cancelled the show citing the reason of high cost to produce a finale. Furthermore, the later plans of filming a 'retrospective episode' were also rejected, resulting in the story still remaining unfinished.

However, Akil is now open to finishing the story with a film if an opportunity arises and she has the right support and distribution, as she wants to show the 'greatness' of the stories told, and quipped:

"I want people to see the majesty, the greatness of it, and how it really is a conversation still for today around the world."

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Girlfriends had a stellar ensemble cast, including Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Persia White, Golden Brooks, and Reggie Hayes, among others.

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