‘Abby’s’ Star Natalie Morales Rips NBC for Canceling Her Sitcom: “So Much for Diversity”

Natalie Morales is not mincing her words when it comes to short-lived sitcom Abby’s. On the newest episode of The Daily Beast’s The Last Laugh podcast, Morales called out NBC for canceling the series after just 10 episodes. The actress told host Matt Wilstein that the Abby’s cancellation “sucked really hard,” particularly because it featured the first Latinx bisexual character on a network sitcom. “If I’m being honest, it’s bullshit to tout all of these firsts and all this inclusion and all this diversity and then not market the show whatsoever,” ripped Morales.

When asked about the Abby’s cancellation  Morales was clear. “So much for diversity,” she said with a laugh. “I was really disappointed. It sucked. It sucked really hard.” The actress, who is openly queer, said that while she’s “so happy” and “proud” of the work they did on Abby‘s, she often felt unsupported by the network. “If I’m being honest, it’s bullshit to tout all of these firsts and all this inclusion and all this diversity and then not market the show whatsoever,” said Morales. She explained that the sitcom was “the first show in the history of NBC that got zero outdoor marketing,” adding, “So that tells you something.”

“Not that I’m not thankful for the people that put it on the air,” continued Morales. “I just feel like, if you’re going to say that you’re about diversity, then actually walk the walk.”

The Mike Schur-produced sitcom starred Morales as Abby, a bisexual former Marine who runs an illegal bar out of her backyard. Abby establishes her own set of quirky rules for the bar, but her regulars (an ensemble led by Nelson Franklin, Jessica Chaffin, and Neil Flynn) don’t mind, and before long, they establish a Cheers-esque rapport. After premiering in late March, Abby’s was canceled in May, two weeks before the Season 1 finale, which then became the series finale, aired on June 13.

Morales went on to say that she and producers tried to make Abby’s queerness “a normal thing and just one of the many, many things about her.” The actress wanted to “put that representation on TV,” so naturally, she jumped at the chance to play “the first bisexual lead of any network comedy show ever.” Unfortunately, that didn’t last long, but Morales is ready to look to the future. “I’m at this weird crossroads moment,” she told Wilstein. “I can either focus on other people’s creations and act in them or direct them. But I’ve been amassing this huge pile of stuff that I’ve written that I’m really excited about making.”

Listen to Natalie Morales’ entire interview on The Last Laugh podcast here.

Where to stream Abby's