The iCarly reboot brought Miranda Cosgrove back as Carly Shay when it premiered on Paramount+ on June 17, 2021, nearly nine years after the original Nickelodeon sitcom ended. Jerry Trainor and Nathan Kress also returned as Spencer Shay and Freddie Benson, while Laci Mosley and Jaidyn Triplett joined the cast. However, Jennette McCurdy, who portrayed Sam Puckett, and Noah Munck, who played Gibby Gibson, did not return. Paramount+ canceled the revival in October 2023 after three seasons, leaving its central storyline unresolved. By 2026, the cast was working toward a possible follow-up movie, although no official release date or confirmed production order had been announced.
When Did the iCarly Reboot Come Out on Paramount+?
The iCarly revival premiered on June 17, 2021, exclusively on Paramount+ in the United States. The first season consisted of 13 episodes and continued the story of Carly Shay nearly a decade after the original series concluded.
The original iCarly aired on Nickelodeon from September 8, 2007, to November 23, 2012. It followed Carly and her friends as they produced a popular internet show while navigating school, friendships, and family life.
The Paramount+ continuation introduced an older Carly dealing with adulthood, relationships, work, and the challenges of maintaining her online presence.
The revival ran for three seasons:
- Season 1: Premiered June 17, 2021, with 13 episodes.
- Season 2: Premiered April 8, 2022, with 10 episodes.
- Season 3: Premiered June 1, 2023, with 10 episodes.
Unlike the original Nickelodeon sitcom, the revival was designed for viewers who had grown up watching the characters, featuring more mature humor and adult relationships.
Who Returned for the iCarly Reboot?
The revival reunited three of the original series' central actors and introduced several new characters.
- Miranda Cosgrove as Carly Shay: The former teenage web star returns to producing online content while navigating adulthood.
- Jerry Trainor as Spencer Shay: Carly's eccentric older brother, now a successful artist.
- Nathan Kress as Freddie Benson: Carly's longtime friend, former technical producer, and eventual romantic partner.
- Laci Mosley as Harper Bettencourt: Carly's roommate and close friend, who pursues a career in fashion.
- Jaidyn Triplett as Millicent Mitchell: Freddie's adopted stepdaughter, a confident young social media enthusiast.
The revival also featured appearances by actors from the original series, including Reed Alexander as Nevel Papperman, Danielle Morrow as Nora Dershlit, and Mary Scheer as Freddie's mother, Marissa Benson.
Why Didn't Jennette McCurdy Return as Sam Puckett?
Jennette McCurdy declined to reprise her role as Sam Puckett because she had retired from acting and wanted to pursue a different career.
In March 2021, McCurdy discussed her decision on the Empty Inside podcast, explaining that she had entered acting as a child largely because of her mother's ambitions for her.
She later became the primary financial provider for her family and developed complicated feelings about her early entertainment career.
McCurdy expanded on those experiences in her 2022 memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died, describing her struggles with childhood fame, family pressure, and her decision to leave acting.
Although Cosgrove and other cast members contacted her about returning, McCurdy decided that reprising Sam would not be right for her.
She subsequently focused on writing and directing rather than returning to television acting.
What Happened to Sam in the iCarly Reboot?
The revival addressed Sam Puckett's absence during its first episode rather than removing the character from the fictional universe without explanation.
Carly explained that Sam had joined a motorcycle gang called the Obliterators and was enjoying her new life.
The explanation was consistent with Sam's rebellious personality in the original series, where she frequently challenged authority and enjoyed unconventional adventures.
Sam's departure also allowed the revival to introduce Harper as Carly's new closest friend without directly replacing McCurdy's character.
The show's producers and cast emphasized that McCurdy's decision was respected and that Sam would remain an important part of Carly's past.
Why Was Gibby Missing From the iCarly Reboot?
Noah Munck, who portrayed Gibby Gibson in the original iCarly, was another familiar actor absent from the Paramount+ revival.
Gibby became a popular supporting character because of his unusual humor, unpredictable behavior, and friendship with Carly, Sam, and Freddie.
When the revival was announced in December 2020, producer Jay Kogen confirmed that Munck had been approached about returning.
However, Munck did not join the revival's regular cast, and no confirmed public explanation established a single reason for his absence.
After the original series, Munck continued acting, including his recurring role as Rob Smith, known as Naked Rob, in ABC's The Goldbergs. He also pursued electronic music production.
Unlike Sam, Gibby did not receive a substantial storyline explaining his whereabouts in the revival.
Why Did Paramount+ Cancel the iCarly Reboot?
On October 4, 2023, Paramount+ confirmed that iCarly would not return for a fourth season.
The streaming service thanked the cast and production team for the show's three-season run and acknowledged that fans had finally seen Carly and Freddie become romantically involved.
However, Paramount+ did not publicly provide a detailed explanation establishing why the revival was canceled.
The decision disappointed viewers because the third season ended with significant unresolved developments, including Carly and Freddie's relationship and the unexpected return of Carly's mother.
Nathan Kress and other cast members expressed disappointment that the series ended before its planned storyline could be completed.
Will There Be an iCarly Movie?
Although the revival was canceled, Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress have continued discussing the possibility of concluding the story through a movie.
In May 2024, Cosgrove said she hoped a feature-length production could resolve the cliffhanger left by the third season.
During a November 2024 appearance on The Talk, she confirmed that the team had been exploring a continuation, although she could not officially announce a new project.
Development discussions continued into 2025 and 2026.
At Comic Con Baltics in May 2026, Kress said that work on an iCarly movie was ongoing. He explained that several versions of the script had been written and that the project remained in development.
However, his comments did not constitute an official Paramount+ production announcement.
As of November 2026, the proposed movie had no publicly confirmed release date, filming schedule, or finalized cast. A fourth television season had also not been announced.
What Could the iCarly Movie Reveal About Carly's Mother?
One of the biggest unresolved mysteries concerns Carly and Spencer's mother, who unexpectedly appeared during the third-season finale.
The original Nickelodeon series focused primarily on Carly's relationship with Spencer and her father, a military officer stationed overseas. Their mother was largely absent from the story.
The revival's final episode brought her back at a crucial moment, immediately before Carly and Freddie were preparing for an important event in their relationship.
The episode ended before explaining why she had been absent or how her return would affect the Shay family.
Cosgrove has indicated that resolving this storyline would be an important reason to continue the series.
Nevertheless, specific plot details for a possible movie have not been officially confirmed.
Could Jennette McCurdy and Noah Munck Return in a Future Movie?
There has been no confirmed announcement that Jennette McCurdy or Noah Munck will participate in a potential iCarly movie.
McCurdy has been clear about her decision to leave acting, and her previous absence should not be interpreted as a temporary scheduling issue.
Munck was approached about joining the 2021 revival but did not participate. Whether he would consider another appearance remains unknown.
Until an official cast announcement is released, claims that Sam or Gibby will return should be treated as speculation.
Is iCarly Coming Back in 2026?
There is no confirmed new iCarly television season or movie scheduled for release in 2026.
The Paramount+ revival premiered in 2021 and officially ended after its third season in 2023.
Although Cosgrove and Kress have expressed interest in continuing the franchise, the proposed movie remains a development project rather than a confirmed release.
For now, the existing revival remains the latest completed installment of Carly Shay's television story, with its unresolved finale leaving the possibility of a future continuation open.
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