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The Johnsons will return for more “Black-ish”



ABC renewed the comedy series Thursday night for a sixth season, which will air in the upcoming 2019-2020 season. The announcement came with the additional news that an early series order had also been given to a prequel series, “Mixed-ish.”

“Black-ish” follows married couple Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Rose) as they raise a middle class family and grapple with issues both personal and sociopolitical. “Mixed-ish,” on the other hand, will revolve around Rainbow in her youth as she struggles with staying true to herself after moving to the suburbs from a hippie commune.

Similar to the way “Black-ish” focuses on modern African-American issues, “Mixed-ish” will confront the difficulties of Bow’s mixed race as she grows up in the 80’s.

A renewal for “Black-ish” is not an incredible surprise. The show has managed a fairly consistent performance throughout its run, with an average rating of 0.81 in adults 18-49 this season. It doesn’t hurt that the comedy has long been a critical darling as well, drawing praise not only for its humor, but the nuance with which it engages sensitive cultural issues.

It joins just a few other scripted ABC titles that have been renewed already for the 2019-20 season, including “A Million Little Things,” “The Good Doctor,” “The Conners,” and “Modern Family,” which will be returning for its final season.