Superstore is bringing back Kelly Stables to reprise her role as Kelly Watson, Jonah Simms' (Ben Feldman) ex, in season 6. Developed by Justin Spitzer, Superstore is a single-camera sitcom that debuted on NBC in November 2015. The show follows a group of employees and their superintendents through their hilarious shenanigans at a fictional Missouri megastore called Cloud 9. Superstore boasts an ensemble cast led by Feldman, America Ferrera, Lauren Ash, Colton Dunn, Nico Santos, Nichole Sakura, Mark McKinney, and Kaliko Kauahi. In February 2020, the series was renewed for season 6, which premiered on October 29, 2020.
Through its first five seasons, Superstore found its lead face in Ferrera's Amelia "Amy" Sosa, a Honduran-American single mother who begins dating Feldman's Simms in season 4. Ferrera, however, quit Superstore in February to pursue other opportunities, leading the showrunners to write her character off from the series. In season 6, Ferrera's Amy leaves her makeshift Cloud 9 family to take up a corporate job in California. But before she departs, Amy also breaks up with Jonah, leaving the latter without a romantic interest on the show. Superstore makers, however, do not intend for Jonah to stay single for long. And therefore, they have decided to reintroduce a key character on the show to help Jonah move on from Amy.
On Friday, TV Line confirmed NBC's Superstore is bringing back Jonah Simms' ex-flame Kelly Watson (Stables) for season 6. At the moment, the makers have kept the details about Stables' return largely under wraps. But her return will reportedly take place in episode 7, "The Trough," which is due to air after the holidays in early 2021. There is no confirmation about whether Stables will appear as a recurring character or if she'd be promoted to the main cast.
Stables' Kelly first joined Superstore in season 3 as a sales associate at Cloud 9 Store 1217. Kelly eventually develops feeling for Jonah, and they start dating, and at one point, they even move in together. But Jonah soon realizes that he cannot let go of his feelings for Amy, and he, therefore, decides to break up with Kelly. In season 4, Kelly transfers to Cloud 9's Fenton store, but she continues to make occasional appearances at 1217. Stables' Kelly has appeared in 22 episodes on the show altogether; she was last seen in season 5's Halloween episode, "Trick-or-Treat," and now she will also appear in the Covid-stricken season 6.
Fans are yet to get over Fererra's exit from Superstore. The actress had anchored the show both on and off-screen, and her departure from the series has left quite a noticeable hole. Introducing an existing character as a new lead amidst this volatile climate can now go either way. While Stables' is a strong performer, her Superstore character Kelly has received mixed reactions from fans, who have known her as a rival to Amy. Kelly, no doubt, is funny and charming. But, perhaps, Superstore will be better off with a new lead that has personality traits similar to that of Amy. Having Kelly return on the show is a logical litmus test. But otherwise, especially given that the door for Fererra's return is still open, it's better to have her on the sidelines where viewers don't see her as the enemy.
Source: TV Line