Breaking News: Glee alum Kevin McHale revealed his sole regret regarding the show’s 2015 series finale – the absence of a final duet for fan-favorite couple Brittany S. Pierce and Santana Lopez.
McHale, 37, who portrayed Artie Abrams on Ryan Murphy’s critically acclaimed musical drama, discussed the finale on the latest episode of his podcast, And That’s What You Really Missed,co-hosted with Jenna ushkowitz,who played Tina Cohen-Chang.
The conversation centered on the show’s two-part finale, which aired on FOX on March 20, 2015, and drew 2.05 million viewers. McHale expressed his wish for a dedicated musical number featuring Heather Morris (Brittany) and the late Naya Rivera (Santana).
“I wish we got a moment for them,” McHale stated, acknowledging the potential perception of such a duet as “fan service.” He speculated that this concern might have influenced the writers’ decision not to include it. The finale featured performances of “This Time” and “Dreams Come True” among others, intended to reflect the characters’ journeys and the show’s overall themes.
Ushkowitz offered a contrasting outlook, praising the finale’s song selection as meticulously integrated with the storyline. She emphasized that each musical number felt organic to the narrative, rather than simply included for character appeal. The finale took place primarily at McKinley High School in Lima,Ohio,the show’s central location throughout its six seasons.
The discussion also touched upon the tragic loss of several Glee cast members since the show concluded. Naya Rivera passed away in July 2020 at age 33 following a boating accident at Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. Other notable cast members who have died include Cory Monteith (July 2013), mark Salling (january 2018), and Lisa Beber (August 2023).
Remembering the Glee Family: A tribute to the cast members we’ve lost.
