Louis C.K. to Take 'Extended Hiatus' From 'Louie'

In order to place his focus on other projects, comedian Louis C.K. is taking an "extended hiatus" from his celebrated and Emmy-nominated FX series, Louie. "After writing, directing, starring in and mostly editing 61 episodes of television, [C.K.]'s anxious to take a break from the show and work on other things," FX CEO John Landgraf revealed Friday during the Television Critics Association press tour, The Hollywood Reporter notes.

Having already taken a two-year break in between 2012's season 3 and 2014's season 4, its uncertain if C.K. will return to the series, which aired its eight-episode fifth season in May. "It's really going to be his choice. He could decide to take as long as a six-month hiatus... he could decide to take a two-year hiatus and we could be where HBO is with Larry David, announcing periodically that subsequent seasons will air," Landgraf said with a nod to HBO's deal with Curb Your Enthusiasm. David was granted rights to reprise the series whenever he chooses to craft a new season or simply whenever the creativity sparks.

Although Louie has been placed on the back burner, FX and C.K. will continue their partnership with a couple of fresh series including Baskets and Better Things. Zach Galifianakis will star as an aspiring clown in Baskets while Louie castmember Pamela Adlon will take on the role of a single mother and aspiring actress attempting to raise her family of three daughters. C.K. and Adlon will co-write the pilot to Better Things. Both series will hit FX in 2016.

Landgraf continued to hint at a third C.K. involved series which is currently being developed and may be linked to the reason why the comedian shadowed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio earlier this week, notes Rolling Stone. In the midst of projects galore, C.K. will also tackle his first film in 14 years, in which he'll direct, write and star in I'm A Cop.