After almost 25 years, American comedian and Seinfeld co-creator Larry David has announced that his award-winning comedy series Curb Your Enthusiasm will come to an end after its next season.

Debuting on October 15th 2000, Curb Your Enthusiasm is HBO's longest-running comedy series — in which David plays a curmudgeonly fictionalized caricature of himself: a semi-retired television writer living in LA. Akin to Seinfeld, the show draws from the mundanity of everyday social life, to often absurdly comedic effect, as Larry sardonically navigates life after the success of Seinfeld. The show's episodes are created by means of retroscripting, with a narrative outline written by David and actors largely improvising their dialogue.

Larry David as Larry David, poster for Curb Your Enthusiasm season 12. Photo: Instagram/streamonmax

Originally airing for eight seasons between 2000 and 2011, the show took a six-year hiatus, before returning in 2017. Amongst HBO's most successful long-running comedy titles, the broadcaster has historically allowed David to continue the show at his leisure — marking the 76-year-old's creative decision to conclude the show on its twelfth season a palpably personal one.

“As Curb comes to an end, I will now have the opportunity to finally shed this ‘Larry David’ persona and become the person God intended me to be – the thoughtful, kind, caring, considerate human being I was until I got derailed by portraying this malignant character,” a characteristically wry David quipped on Thursday, confirming the final season.

“And so ‘Larry David,’ I bid you farewell. Your misanthropy will not be missed. And for those of you who would like to get in touch with me, you can reach me at Doctors Without Borders..."

Curb Your Enthusiasm has been nominated for 51 Emmys, including 10 nominations for best comedy over 11 seasons so far.

Casey Bloys, chairman of HBO & Max Content, said: “It’s hard to say farewell to such a ground-breaking, brilliantly funny and iconic series like Curb Your Enthusiasm, which has left its mark across television and the comedy genre.”

In October, David's friend and long-time collaborator Jerry Seinfeld caused a stir after he hinted at the potential return of beloved '90s sitcom Seinfeld. Leaving the show after seven seasons, David returned to write the show's infamously divisive series finale, which aired on May 14th, 1998.

“Something is going to happen that has to do with that ending. Hasn’t happened yet,” Seinfeld said at an event in Boston in October. “And just what you are thinking about, Larry and I have also been thinking about it. So you’ll see, we’ll see..."

The twelfth and final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm will air on February 4th 2024, consisting of ten episodes.