iCarly Sam actor Jennette McCurdy explains why she turned down lead star Miranda Cosgrove's offer to return for the Paramount+ revival.
Jennette McCurdy explains why she did not return for the iCarly revival. The original iCarly ran for six seasons between 2007 and 2012 on Nickelodeon, becoming a sensation during its time. The show starred Miranda Cosgrove as Carly Shay, a teenager who creates the eponymous web show in her brother Spencer's (Jerry Trainor) apartment loft with her best friends Freddie (Nathan Kress) and Sam (McCurdy). In 2020, loyal iCarly fans were met with surprise when Paramount+ announced that the show was being rebooted, with season 1 premiering on the service in June 2021.
The thoughtfully executed reboot, which recently ended its sophomore run, has been met with overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences. The mix of nostalgia and refreshing elements offered by returning veterans Cosgrove, Kress, and Trainor, and new additions Laci Mosley (as Harper) and Jaidyn Triplett (as Millicent) has really clicked with the viewers, who have been enjoying the shenanigans of the colorful characters as they relaunch the iCarly web-show in Bushwell Plaza with a modern spin. While the show inarguably retains the charm of the flagship series, the absence of original star McCurdy and her tenacious Sam is clearly felt. The iCarly revival has addressed Sam's departure by explaining she is on the road with the biker gang, the Obliterators, and now the star behind the character is also speaking up about not signing up for the show.
In her new memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died McCurdy explained that she was approached by Cosgrove to return for the reboot. McCurdy turned down the opportunity as she was happy and in a good mental place, and agreeing to do the show could have compromised that. Read what McCurdy wrote below.
"[I said] 'Miranda, I'm not doing the reboot. There's nothing you can say to convince me.' She tells me she thinks the reboot could be an opportunity for all of us in the cast to 'get back out there,' maybe get some other opportunities from it. 'But there are things more important than money. And my mental health and happiness fall under that category. There's a moment of silence. It's one of those rare moments where I feel like I didn't say too much, or too little. I feel like I represented myself accurately and there's nothing I would change about the way I said it. I feel proud. We wrap up our conversation, promising to keep in touch, and hang up."
Given McCurdy's bitter experience with Nickelodeon as a young actor, her dissatisfaction with her roles, her abuse at the hands of "The Creator", her complicated relationship with her late mother, and her struggles with underage alcoholism and eating disorders, there is undoubtedly a lot of trauma associated with the actor's time in Hollywood. While the reboot may have been good money, there is no compensation for the psychological stress that was inflicted on the star, and agreeing to the show could have revived the disturbing memories. Even if she hadn't been through so much in the past, it would still have been justifiable for McCurdy to turn down the offer for starring in the reboot, because nothing takes precedence over mental and emotional well-being. In her case, McCurdy went through such life-changing experiences that even the thought of returning to the entertainment industry sounds traumatic and painful.
McCurdy also wrote about the friendship she developed with Cosgrove over the original series, culminating in the two of them crying when they filmed their final scene on the show together.
"The reason I'm crying is that I don't know what will become of my friendship with Miranda. We've gotten so close. Like sisters, but without the passive-aggression and weird tensions," McCurdy writes. "I have my judgments around female friendships being catty and petty and backstabby, but that couldn't be further from the truth with Miranda. With Miranda, it's always been so easy. Our friendship is pure."
"There was no need to worry about context; our friendship has gotten stronger since iCarly ended," McCurdy continues. "We hang out three or four times a week. Usually one of the nights is a sleepover."
Fortunately, Cosgrove understood McCurdy's decision and respected her choice. Their friendship did not take a blow due to McCurdy's unwillingness to return to the show, and they remain closer than ever, although they are no longer working together. This should appease fans who have been worried about their favorite iCarly stars' off-screen relationship, warming their hearts as they realize that the two don't need to be together on the show to cherish their bond. While McCurdy continues to be missed on iCarly, which will head into season 3 soon, fans have sufficient closure about her absence and are satisfied knowing that Sam is content doing what she does best, and her friendships with Carly and Freddie hasn't faded.
Jennette's new book I'm Glad My Mom Died is out now.
Stream the new iCarly as well as the OG series on Paramount+! Get a 7-day free trial at ParamountPlus.com!
Original sources: ScreenRant, ComicBook.com.
