Of all the TV careers,Emily Osment has had one of the most intriguing trajectories. To some, she will forever be Lily Truscott ofHannah Montana, but life afterDisney proved that she wasn’t content to stay in anyone’s shadow. From singing and acting in a Disney series to Netflix’sPretty Smart, Osment has consistently managed to reinvent herself. But Freeform’sYoung & Hungry made her a witty comedic lead — andit’s the one show that took so much more than it should have from the too-early cancellation it did receive.

Young & Hungry premiered in 2014 with Osment playing Gabi Diamond, a quirky, self-taught chef trying to make it big inSan Francisco. The role was tailor-made for her blend of comedic ability and relatable vulnerability. Gabi was not the polished Disney sidekick — she was frizzy, feisty, and constantly juggling the chaos of adulthood. She aspired to beJulia Child, but ended up preparing dinner for a tech executive amidst juggling friends, rent payments, and the kind of romantic shenanigans sitcoms thrive on.

Why ‘Young & Hungry’s Cancellation Still Frustrates Fans Years Later

Fans connected with Gabi becauseshe felt real. She wasn’t wealthy or effortlessly successful, but she was determined, passionate, and always willing to own up to her mistakes. Her friendship with Sofia (Aimee Carrero), herpush-and-pull romance with Josh (Jonathan Sadowski), and her habit of stumbling into both disasters and heartfelt victories made her one of Freeform’s most lovable protagonists. It’s no surprise that Osment, who could swing between slapstick and sincerity in a single scene, made Gabi unforgettable.

The show ran for five seasons, and while that sounds like a solid run, the ending was anything but satisfying. In 2018, Freeform confirmed the series would not return after its fifth season. At the time, the network promised fans a wrap-up movie to tie up the storylines. Instead, the opposite happened:The movie was scrapped, leaving audiences without the closure they were promised.

The finale we did get wasn’t an ending at all. Season 5 closed with Gabi proposing to Josh and asking him to move with her to Seattle for a new job under Iron ChefAlex Guarnaschelli. Sofia was heading into her ownromantic future, and the Kaminski household was adjusting to a seismic shift. It was all set up, no payoff — precisely the kind of cliffhanger that begs for resolution.

‘Young & Hungry’s Cast and Creators Made It One of Freeform’s Best Sitcoms

Image via Freeform

Part of what stings is how muchYoung & Hungry had going for it in its creative team.Ashley Tisdale produced the series alongsideDavid Holden andCaryn Lucas, withGabi Moskowitz — the real-life food blogger who inspired the premise — shaping its authenticity. The cast, including Sadowski, Carrero,Rex Lee, andKym Whitley, clicked in a way fewsitcom ensembles manage. That combination of on-screen chemistry and behind-the-scenes heart made the show feel like more than another network comedy.

Young & Hungry not only represents one of the best gigs for Osment, but one of the greatest Freeform sitcoms of all time.It was messy and lightweight, but it had a distinct voice and knew how to blend rom-com tropes with character-driven comedy. At a time when multi-camera sitcoms were on their way out, it garnered a dedicated fan base that still wonders what could have been.

ForEmily Osment, the show proved she could carry a series on her shoulders. For fans, it was the rom-com sitcom that got away. And for Freeform, it remains one of their most significant missed opportunities — a crushingly cancelled comedy that deserved its happily ever after.