Sara Gilbert Reported To Become Focus Of ‘Roseanne’ Spinoff

Out actress Sara Gilbert is getting closer and closer to stepping into Roseanne Barr’s spotlight for ABC's hit sitcom Roseanne.

In an effort to save the series, which was cancelled last month when Barr went on a racist Twitter rant, the comedienne has apparently agreed in principle to voluntarily depart the project in order to allow the show to continue, most probably with Gilbert's "Darlene" becoming the focus of the spinoff.

Gilbert was the architect of the reboot and served as not only one of the show's stars but also a producer. In addition to Roseanne, the out actress has continued in her role as producer/co-host for CBS' The Talk as well as a recurring role on the sitcom Living Biblically.

One serious caveat – according to The Hollywood Reporter, "ABC and producer Carsey-Werner are insisting that Barr not participate financially or creatively in the proposed spinoff."

Probably the biggest hurdle the spinoff would face is the matter of fees and residuals Barr would be entitled to since she is credited with creating the characters that would continue in the new series. Barr would have to waive any of those rights for the project to move forward.

THR reports that Barr is tentatively negotiating a one-time "go-away-money" payout.

Emmy Award winners John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf are reported to be tentatively onboard. According to reports, they would receive the previously negotiated $300,000 per episode they had agreed to for the second season of Roseanne.

Behind the scenes Barr is said to be contrite over how her racist tweet about former White House adviser Valerie Jarrett torpedoed the newly-rebooted show which became the #1 sitcom on ABC this past season.

Although cut out of future royalties for new episodes, Barr would still receive royalties for the first ten episodes of the show as well as all the monies from the original run.