HBO sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show will not be returning for a fifth season.
Show creator Robin Thede confirmed the decision Thursday, describing the show’s ending as a mutual agreement with the network.
“Thank you to all the immensely talented cast members, guest stars, writers, directors, editors and crew members who have made A Black Lady Sketch Show an Emmy-winning success,” Thede said in a statement to Variety.
She continued, “I especially want to recognize the Black women and other women of color who excelled in every department at ABLSS. I am also eternally grateful for the support of Issa Rae and Jax Media, Amy Gravitt, Casey Bloys and the entire team at HBO, Max and Warner Bros. Discovery.”
Related: ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ Unveils Season 4 Trailer
In a separate statement, HBO applauded Thede for her work on the groundbreaking series, describing her as a “visionary comedic talent” throughout the show’s run.
“For four exceptional seasons of A Black Lady Sketch Show we’ve been thrilled to partner with her on this groundbreaking, hilarious series,” representatives for the network wrote.
“Robin, alongside Hoorae, Jax Media, and the incredible cast and crew, leave an indelible legacy not only in sketch, but in television comedy, and we look forward to continued creative collaboration under her deal with us,” they added, referring to Thede’s ongoing three-year deal with HBO to produce content for the network, the Max streaming service, and Warner Bros. Television.
The fourth and final season of the series aired from April to May 2023. It featured Robin Thede alongside core cast members Gabrielle Dennis and Skye Townsend, along with appearances by DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore. Series co-star Ashley Nicole Black did not return for season 4.
A Black Lady Sketch Show was executive produced by Thede, Issa Rae for Hoorae, Dave Becky and Jonathan Berry for 3 Arts Entertainment, and Tony Hernandez and Brooke Posch for JAX Media.
The series launched in 2019. The critically acclaimed series garnered 13 Emmy nominations, along with historic wins for editing and directing.
Notably, editors Daysha Broadway, Stephanie Filo, and Jessica Hernández became the first all women of color team to win the Primetime Emmy for outstanding picture editing for variety programming award in 2021, while Bridget Stokes made history as the first Black woman to win an Emmy for directing a variety series in 2022.
The series also welcomed guest actors such as David Alan Grier, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, Vanessa Williams, and Quinta Brunson throughout the years.
As the comedy closes out its successful run, Thede will continue to embark on new creative endeavors under her deal with HBO — including the development of a half-hour comedy series, titled Disengagement.
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