Since its premiere in 2015, Grace and Frankie has become one of Netflix’s most beloved and longest-running original series. The show stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as the titular Grace and Frankie, two women who find their lives turned upside down when their husbands announce they are gay and leave them to get married. Forced to live together, Grace and Frankie slowly transition from rivals to close friends.
As the show heads into its seventh and final season, fans are wondering if there could be more adventures in store for Grace, Frankie, and the rest of the colorful cast. While Netflix has yet to formally announce a Season 8, the door remains open.
Grace and Frankie Season 8 Release Date
The show, which stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as the title characters, has run for seven seasons on Netflix since its premiere in 2015. It follows Grace and Frankie, two women who are forced to live together after their husbands reveal they are in love and want to get married.
The Eighth season of Grace and Frankie was released in April 2024, and ended on something of a cliffhanger for the two main characters. However, Netflix has not yet renewed the show for an eighth season or provided any information on if and when a new season could be expected.
So while the future is still uncertain, fans are hopeful the show could return for more. The cast and creators have discussed being open to an eighth season if the opportunity arises. But for now, Netflix has not issued any confirmation yet about concrete renewal or release plans.
| Name | Grace and Frankie |
|---|---|
| Title | Grace and Frankie Season 8 |
| Release Date | January 19, 2022 |
| Streaming Platform | Netflix |
| Number of Episodes | 16 (divided into two parts) |
| Creators | Marta Kauffman, Howard J. Morris |
| Directors | Rebecca Asher, Sam Waterston |
| Main Cast | Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin |
| Production Company | Skydance Media |
| Executive Producers | Marta Kauffman, Howard J. Morris |
| Writers | Sam Kaufman-Skloff, various |
| Filming Locations | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Genre | Comedy-drama |
| Awards and Nominations | 15 nominations, 2 wins |
Grace and Frankie Season 8 Cast: Who Would Return?
If renewed for Season 8, Grace and Frankie would likely bring back the principal cast members:
- Jane Fonda as Grace Hanson
- Lily Tomlin as Frankie Bergstein
- Sam Waterston as Sol Bergstein
- Martin Sheen as Robert Hanson
- June Diane Raphael as Brianna Hanson
- Brooklyn Decker as Mallory Hanson
After major health scares in recent seasons, fans would surely welcome seeing Fonda and Tomlin leading the way again in their 80s. The dynamic friend duo are the heart of the show.
Baron Vaughn could also reprise his role as Nwabudike “Bud” Bergstein, Frankie’s adopted son. Some supporting characters like Grace’s manny Enrique (Sam Pancake) and Frankie’s spiritual teacher Sheree (Nicole Richie) also seem likely to return. Fans would certainly celebrate cameo appearances from past guest stars like Lisa Kudrow too.
Grace and Frankie Season 8 Plot: How Will It End?
Season 7 ended with major moves happening in all the characters’ lives, so what could come next?
Grace decided to reconnect with her former flame, Dr. Shep, so Season 8 may explore them rekindling a 40-years dormant relationship. Meanwhile, Frankie got engaged to her first love Michael. The writers would have lots of comedic material covering how Micromichael performs as Frankie’s “life partner number two.”
Fans also hope to see the special sibling bond between polar opposites Brianna and Mallory grow even stronger. And there are still opportunities for Sol and Robert to discover more adventures in life and love as newly married 80-somethings.
Above all, devotees long for six more episodes centered on Grace and Frankie’s beautifully evolving connection. Whether they drive each other crazy or lend their support, the friends demonstrate a wonderful late-in-life friendship that resonates deeply with viewers.
The ultimate series finale would likely include plenty of spirited antics, sweet moments, and dry quips conveying how Grace, Frankie, and company choose to savor and embrace life’s rich blessings every day, no matter their age.
Will There Be a Grace and Frankie Season 8 on Netflix?
In 2022, Netflix renewed Grace and Frankie for its seventh season, confirming at the time it would be the show’s last. Fonda and Tomlin are now 84 and 82 years old, respectively, making it prudent to potentially wrap up their characters’ stories.
However, never say never! The show remains hugely popular on Netflix and with critics. Back in 2017, Fonda hinted she’d love to play Grace into her 90s as long as fans still tune in.
If key cast members remain healthy and energized about continuing, Netflix would surely consider extending the escapades of the inspiring septuagenarian BFFs and their rip-roaring entourage. But for now, devotees eagerly await the Season 7 premiere in 2022 to soak up every last morsel of Grace and Frankie’s lovable on-screen kinship.
Is Season 7 Really the End of Grace and Frankie?
Yes, Netflix has firmly billed Season 7 as the farewell run with 16 final episodes to give Grace and Frankie a proper goodbye after seven years on the air.
Fonda and Tomlin announced that filming their final batch of episodes was deeply emotional and bittersweet. They have absolutely loved playing Grace and Frankie respectively while highlighting tales about the beauty, struggles, and laughs to be found in aging.
Of course, Netflix could still reverse track depending on viewership and if Fonda and Tomlin wish to continue playing these groundbreaking roles into their late 80s and beyond. For now fans should settle in to appreciate every final new adventure and words of wisdom from the one-of-a-kind dynamic duo at the heart of the show.
Are Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin Close Friends in Real Life?
Indeed, Fonda and Tomlin’s incredible on-screen chemistry as Grace and Frankie blossomed from a decades-long off-screen friendship dating back to their 1980s Dolly Parton movie 9 to 5.
The Hollywood veterans have often credited their natural rapport to enjoying a long history of laughing and even activism together over the years. Tomlin admits they are thrilled to play two unapologetically feisty women over 70 finally grabbing life by the horns.
Both stars confirm that starring together on Grace and Frankie has only intensified their bond and belief in the show’s unique legacy. Not only are Frankie and Grace television role models rarely seen, but Fonda and Tomlin themselves exemplify the beauty of nurturing longtime friendships through all of life’s ups and downs.
Is Netflix Making a Grace and Frankie Spinoff Next?
Rumors have brewed of a possible Brianna-centered spinoff. Actress June Diane Raphael publicly expressed interest in fleshing out Brianna’s entrepreneurial and family life beyond Grace and Frankie’s final season.
No official spinoff plans have surfaced yet. But with its stellar cast and wealth of colorful supporting characters, Grace and Frankie certainly offers plenty of premise potential outside the central friendship that started it all.
Maybe devoted fans could one day enjoy a new series focused on the continuing misadventures of Bud as he balances his cannabinoid company with parenting. Or fresh hijinks from Sol and Robert as they enter their 10th year of marriage in their twilight years.Who knows what other creative spinoff ideas Netflix showrunners and the talented cast could cook up? The future possibilities seem as boundless as Grace and Frankie’s indomitable spirits.
In summary, while Season 7 marks the end of Grace’s and Frankie’s extraordinary on-air journey, the last chapter has not necessarily been written for the show’s enduring legacy overall. With so much interest left in their evolving lives and relationships, as well as potential stories left to tell for beloved supporting players, there may yet be more to expect from these characters even after the final credits ultimately roll.
Staying at home but still rising up! Watch the cast of Grace and Frankie perform a live table read of a never before seen episode from our upcoming seventh season via @NetflixIsAJoke! pic.twitter.com/ROmzrq1BZK
— Grace and Frankie (@GraceandFrankie) April 7, 2020