Jonathan Krisel, Carrie Brownstein and Fred Armisen from IFC's 'Portlandia' pose in the Getty Images Portrait Studio at the 2017 Winter Television Critics Association press tour at the Langham Hotel on January 14, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo : Getty Images/ Maarten De Boer)
"Portlandia" has been renewed for another season, as confirmed by IFC president Jennifer Caserta herself on Jan. 14. The series, which was previously named as one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time, will return in 2018 for its eighth and final season. The last time "Portlandia" was renewed for a two-season pickup was in February 2015.
In his official statement, Caserta said there are only a few shows that can establish and help define a television network, and that is what "Portlandia" has done for IFC. She said that since its inception, the series has been at the heart of the network's comedy programming strategy with its ability to satirize modern culture while maintaining its sensibility.
Prior to Caserta's official announcement, "Portlandia" director, writer and executive producer Jonathan Krisel hinted at the Television Critics' Association (TCA) winter press tour that Season 7 might not be a final goodbye, according to Rolling Stone. He said the show still has a lot to say and it's scary to think that it's over. He also said the "Portlandia" cast and crew would work together again.
Actor Fred Armisen, who stars the series with Carrie Brownstein, recently compared the end of the show to leaving "Saturday Night Live" on NBC. The actress said, "It was a goodbye of sorts, but I'm back there all the time anyway. It just really seemed like a way to having a beginning, a middle and an ending, but I think nothing really ends anyway."
Brownstein went on to say that there are times when it is nice to put parameters around the creation of art to keep it "pointed." She added that having an end in view would help the series tie up all the storylines neatly, especially those arcs which involve the trademark characters in the series.
The decision to wrap up "Portlandia" next year is a little surprising for some, especially since Armisen and Brownstein previously said they had no plans to end the show, Billboard reported. Season 7 premiered on Jan. 5. Among the guest stars for this season are Run the Jewels, B-52, Abbi Jacobson and Vanessa Bayer.
Watch "Portlandia" Season 7 episode 1 here:
