According to Deadline, CBS has enlisted Justin Long (Goosebumps, Stranglehold), Kara Royster (Pretty Little Liars, Dynasty), Hunter King (Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story), and Angelique Cabral (Wish, Clean Slate) to guest star in the Season 7 finale of The Neighborhood. This episode will serve as a backdoor pilot for a potential spinoff series, with the actors having options to become series regulars if CBS greenlights the project for the 2025-26 season.  “The spinoff will explore the lives of new characters while maintaining a familiar dynamic.”

The spinoff will shift its focus to Marty (Marcel Spears, The Neighborhood) and Malcolm (Sheaun McKinney, The Neighborhood) Butler, who venture into Venice Beach for new adventures, leaving their parents’ home behind. Deadline notes that “the new series will reverse the dynamic of the original show, showcasing Marty and Malcolm as they enter a neighborhood that’s both nearby and distinctly different.” CBS President of Entertainment Kelly Kahl added, “We’re excited to watch Marty and Malcolm chart their own course in a new chapter of their lives.”

In the pilot, Long will portray Bruce, a tech millionaire with a mix of social awkwardness and brilliance. Royster plays Matisse, a sharp and analytical influencer, while King’s Bellamy brings a dark, sardonic energy. Cabral’s Lisa, an ambitious book agent, aims to help Malcolm reach the top of the literary world. Deadline states, “These characters each bring unique qualities to the show that will undoubtedly create an intriguing dynamic.”

The series will be produced by CBS Studios, Cedric the Entertainer’s A Bird and a Bear Entertainment, Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment, and Wendi Trilling’s TrillTV. Bill Martin and Mike Schiff will serve as showrunners, executive producing alongside Cedric the Entertainer, Kaplan, Trilling, and Eric C. Rhone. Deadline further reports that “this partnership brings together a fresh set of voices and experienced producers to craft a new spin on the original’s premise.”

Both King and Cabral have previous ties to CBS and Kapital, having starred together on Life in Pieces. Deadline highlights that “their past collaborations set the stage for a smooth transition into the spinoff, promising more comedic and heartfelt moments.” With familiar faces in key roles, the new show is poised to carry the legacy of its predecessor while offering new comedic twists.

The Neighborhood premiered in 2018, focusing on the Johnsons, a white Midwestern family adjusting to life in a predominantly Black Pasadena neighborhood. The proposed spinoff will explore new dynamics while building on the foundation of its predecessor. According to Deadline, “If the spinoff is greenlit, it will expand on the themes of community and self-discovery with a fresh, contemporary lens.”

As CBS looks to build on The Neighborhood‘s success, the spinoff offers a promising direction for both new and returning viewers. The strategic move could be just what the network needs to continue its winning streak with engaging, diverse content.