'Good Wife' final season announced in Super Bowl ad

The verdict is in: The Good Wife will end with the current seventh season.

CBS announced the acclaimed Emmy-winnning legal drama’s final nine episodes with an ad during the Super Bowl, then followed up with a press release containing statements from the network, producers, and star Julianna Margulies.

The network’s unusual move almost certainly marks the first time in TV history that a series has ever been announced as ending via a Super Bowl ad. The decision comes after months of rumors that this year could be the show’s final bow.

“It’s never easy to say goodbye to one of the crown jewels of your network and studio, much less to a show that is among the best on television,” said Glenn Geller, president, CBS Entertainment and David Stapf, president, CBS Television Studios. “But it also feels very right to end with the seven-year story its creators envisioned, and to celebrate the show’s final run while at the top of its creative game. It has been CBS’s sincere privilege to broadcast and produce The Good Wife for seven extraordinary seasons. We thank and applaud the outstanding cast, led by the impeccable Julianna Margulies, and the consummate writing and producing team, headed by the brilliant Robert and Michelle King, who brought to life a smart, sophisticated series that has delivered audiences so many memorable characters and unforgettable moments. It is a series that will only grow in prestige as its episodes are watched again or discovered by new viewers for many years to come.”

Executive producers and co-creators Robert and Michelle King wrote: “The Good Wife has been the creative experience of a lifetime. Collaborating with the finest actors, writers, producers, staff and crew on ‘The Education of Alicia Florrick’ has been a dream. We can’t imagine working with a more talented, professional, generous lead than Julianna Margulies or more supportive partners than Leslie Moonves, David Stapf, Glenn Geller and Nina Tassler at CBS and CBS Television Studios.”

On Twitter, the Kings added: “It was always our plan to tell it over 7 seasons. We wanted the story to have a beginning, middle, and an end — that’s the only way actions can have real consequences — and it’s the reason we had episode titles count up from one word to four, then back down again (it would have been pretty embarrassing if we were cancelled in our fifth season) … We’re excited to celebrate the final 9 eps and bring the story to its natural conclusion. Here’s a spoiler: the last episode will be called ‘End.’ “

Margulies, who recently dropped a big hint that the show was likely ending by joking that she was soon to be unemployed, stated: “Being a part of The Good Wife has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. As an actress and a producer, it has been an absolute honor to be a part of a series that, throughout seven years, never settled on being just good … but always strived to be extraordinary. I have witnessed magic happen when Robert and Michelle King put pen to paper, and it has been a privilege to be in the company of their brilliance. To the most amazing and talented cast and crew, there will always be a special place in my heart for our Good Wife family. As we close the book on our beloved show, I am humbled and grateful to know that together, we created and were a part of something truly remarkable.”

Launched in 2009, The Good Wife represented one of the few broadcast dramas that managed to compete with the rise of cable and streaming services for critical acclaim and industry awards. The series was twice nominated for best drama and Margulies won a Golden Globe and two Emmys for her performance. Yet the show was also never a ratings breakout and has struggled to find a broad audience.

The final episode of The Good Wife will air Sunday, May 8.