America Ferrera, star and executive producer of the NBC sitcom Superstore, will be leaving the show following the season five finale on April 16.
Ferrera confirmed the news in a statement released Friday afternoon, where the 35-year-old explained her departure as a means of starting ‘the next chapter for [her] family and career.’
‘The last five years on Superstore have been some of the most rewarding, enriching and enjoyable years of my career,’ began Ferrera who has been the show’s leading lady since its premiere in 2015.
End of an era: In a statement released Friday, actress America Ferrera announced that she would be leaving Superstore upon the season five finale airing on April 16; Ferrera pictured in episode 12 of Superstore season five as her character Amy
She continued: ‘Producing, directing and acting with this wonderful cast and crew has given me opportunities to grow as a person and storyteller.’
America played the role of Amy, alongside actors Ben Feldman, Lauren Ash, and Nico Santos, in the series parodying the lives and experiences of retail employees.
‘I’m so grateful to my partners at NBC and Universal Television for the support and belief they have always placed in the show, and I’m most thankful to the brilliant Justin Spitzer for creating the funny, smart and relevant world of Superstore and inviting me to be a part of it.’
Justin Spitzer originated as series creator and showrunner, but stepped down in 2019 in order to ‘focus on the show’s development.’ And the role was handed over to executive producers, Gabe Miller & Jonathan Green.
Next chapter: ‘As I start the next chapter for my family and career, I wish only the best, and much continued success, to my beloved Superstore family,’ wished Ferrera in her statement shared Friday; Ferrera was photographed at the premiere of Netflix’s Gentefied on February 20
‘As I start the next chapter for my family and career, I wish only the best, and much continued success, to my beloved Superstore family,’ concluded Ferrera.
America is currently pregnant with her second child, which she shares with husband and actor Ryan Piers Williams.
She welcomed her first child with Williams, son Sebastian, one, in 2018 during her stint on Superstore.
News of the actress’ departure came two weeks after NBC announced that the half-hour comedy would be renewed for a sixth season set to air from 2020-21, according to Deadline.
Growth: ‘Producing, directing and acting with this wonderful cast and crew has given me opportunities to grow as a person and storyteller,’ said Ferrera who thanked her partners at NBCUniversal; Ferrera acting alongside Lauren Ash (right) and Dean Norris (far right) in episode 12 of season five
Beloved duo: Ferrera stars alongside actor Ben Feldman (right) who plays Ferrera’s character’s love interest in the retail set comedy; Ferrera and Feldman acting alongside one another in episode 14 of season five
On Ferrera’s hand in Superstore’s overall success, Universal Television president Pearlena Igbokwe toted her as ‘a force of nature.’
‘A force of nature who not only pours her heart and soul into acting and producing on Superstore, but into the many causes and initiatives she supports.’
On behalf of NBCUniversal, Igbokwe noted that America had ‘earned [their]gratitude and respect’ over the five seasons the actress contributed, both personally and professionally, to the show.
Season Six: Two weeks ago, NBC confirmed the series would be renewed for a sixth season; (L-R) America Ferrera, Nichole Bloom, Lauren Ash, Kaliko Kauahi, Mark McKinney, Chris Grace, Kelly Schumann, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, George Salazar, Judy Kain, and Amir M. Korangy in epsiode 14 of season five
Co-Presidents of Scripted Programming, Lisa Katz and Tracey Pakosta find the vastness of America’s Superstore contributions to be ‘immeasurable.’
‘[Her contributions] in front of and behind the camera as well as an ambassador for the show, can’t possibly be quantified. We feel so fortunate to call her both a colleague and friend.’
Since 2017, the actress has gone behind the camera to direct four episodes of the popular NBC sitcom.
She is currently an executive producer on the new Netflix comedy series Gentefied, which premiered on the streaming platform February 21.
Bun in the oven: Ferrera is expecting her second child with husband Ryan Piers Williams (left), whom she shares one-year-old son Sebastian with; the couple were photographed on the red carpet at the Oscars in February in Los Angeles