Awkward is losing its creator.
Showrunner Lauren Iungerich and MTV have mutually decided to part ways, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
"Awkward is a wonderful series and we appreciate the creativity and devotion Lauren brought to this show," MTV programming president Susanne Daniels said in a statement. "We wish her the best in her new ventures."
Iungerich will finish the current production on the third season of Awkward, which wraps Thursday. The series will return for the second half of its 20-episode order in October. A search for a new showrunner for a potential fourth season of the comedy is under way.
Awkward has become one of MTV's signature scripted series. It currently ranks as the Viacom-owned network's longest-running scripted comedy. Its third season returned in April to 2.1 million total viewers, down slightly from its June 2012 premiere but even with its August 2012 finale. The return was up among MTV's core 12-34 demo with a 2.3 rating -- up 5 percent and the show's highest premiere in the metric.
STORY: 'Awkward' Showrunner Lauren Iungerich Admits 'I Cry. All. The. Time.'
The news comes three months after MTV passed on Iungerich's Hot Mess pilot, which was redeveloped under new MTV topper Daniels. Iungerich exited the project a week before MTV passed. Hot Mess was Iungerich's third project at MTV. Her previous entry, Dumb Girls, was also passed over under Daniels' predecessor, David Janollari, who helped champion Awkward.
MTV renewed Awkward for a supersized third season of 20 episodes in July 2012, up from its previous 12-episode seasons. The network used Awkward to launch Girl Code this season, with the latter earning a quick second-season renewal.
Daniels took over at MTV in November. She oversees all development and programming for the network, including scripted and reality, news and documentaries as well as production and talent.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit
