Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) and Annie Edison (Alison Brie) didn't end up together in Community, despite the mutual feelings they had for one another. Both characters serve as core figures of the Dan Harmon comedy for the show's entire six-season run, which quickly developed into a bonafide cult classic series. Originally canceled by NBC after season 5, Yahoo! Screen revived the series for a sixth and final season, with the final installment allowing Jeff to come to terms with his love for Annie, despite the final status of their relationship not developing in a way some people had hoped for.
Jeff and Annie enjoy a complicated relationship throughout their respective character arcs in Community. Their paths first cross when they become members of a small study group at Greendale Community College in the show's debut season. The pair shares an obvious attraction from the get-go, which results in the Jeff and Annie kiss by the season's end. Due to Jeff being uncomfortable with he and Annie's age difference in Community, however, he becomes unable to take the relationship to the next level, much to Annie's frustration, with Jeff and Annie remaining good friends for the rest of the series despite their undeniable chemistry.
Both Jeff and Annie become embroiled in various romantic relationships during their time at Greendale. Whereas Jeff has an on-again-off-again fling with Britta Perry (Gillian Jacobs) and a handful of other women, Annie spends a period in a relationship with Britta's ex, Vaughn (Eric Christian Olsen). For a time, she also harbors a crush on her former high school classmate and fellow study group member, Troy Barnes (Donald Glover). In Community's final season, Jeff takes a teaching position at Greendale before Annie announced she was leaving for a summer internship with the FBI. Struggling with a future without the study group, Jeff confesses his love for Annie. Still, he admits he had to let her leave, resulting in a disheartening moment for people who enjoyed Jeff and Annie's relationship. That said, Harmon had justifiable reasons for not allowing the two characters to end up together.
Harmon Revealed How Timing Affected Jeff & Annie's Community Fate
Following the Community series finale, Harmon spoke (via TV Insider) about major moments in the final episodes, including why Jeff and Annie did not ultimately end up together. The show's creator commented on the characters' age gap, revealing it was "less creepy," and instead focussing on the two characters being on the same emotional level. As for why Jeff let Annie leave, Harmon explained, "he’s genuinely in love with her, but that’s a separate thing from whether that’s actually good for her." In this way, Jeff acknowledges that his life experiences are much different from Annie's, and she needs more time to live her own life.
The Community Movie May Reunite Jeff And Annie
While the Community movie has not officially been announced, actor Joel McHale has stated that he's optimistic that there could be one in the works given the show's insistence on "six seasons and a movie." With luck, this would also wrap up Jeff and Annie's story. Thanks to the advent of streaming services, specific shows that never got their due have been put into the limelight long after cancelation. This has also caused plenty of reboots, sequels, and prequels to make their way out of the woodwork, often bringing more success and viewership to little-known programs. The concept of the Community movie is no different. After its first cancelation, fan interest was strong enough to bring the show back — and now, interest has only been sparked again, causing rumors of an upcoming feature film. Speaking with ComcBook.com, McHale suggested and endorsed the possibility of a Community movie:
"Before when I'd answer the question, I'd be like, 'Maybe, I have no idea.' But now, with its success on the streamers during the pandemic, the interest has returned."
With this in mind, there is a hint Jeff and Annie still have a future together following the Community finale. After Jeff and Annie kiss in the study room, she mentions their separation might not be forever. With the continued rumors of a possible Community movie, it remains possible for Jeff and Annie to still have a legitimate romantic relationship in the series canon. After figuring out her career, Annie may have learned how much Jeff truly means to her, leading to an emotionally charged reunion. The potential Community movie could further explore the aftermath of the Jeff and Annie kiss in a new setting, possibly nudging their love affair back to the forefront and providing a sense of closure. The possibilities are truly endless, but Jeff and Annie's fate still ultimately depends on Harmon and whether he wants to continue the group's story.