'How I Met Your Mother' Renewed For Season 9; Will Air During The 2013-2014 TV Season

"How I Met Your Mother" season 9 is now official, after months of negotiations between CBS and the show's stars. Also confirmed is the news that next season will be the show's last.

Creators Carter Bays and Craig Thomas, as well as the show's stars', Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan, are all returning. A few months ago, Segel said that he was reluctant to return for a potential season 9 because he feels that his character, and the show, was getting drawn out. Similarly, Neil Patrick Harris, one of the biggest stars on the show, said that he was hoping the show would end after this season as well. Both have starred in big Hollywood movies, Segel was a big part of "The Muppets" revival and played a key role in a number of Judd Apatow films, while NPH was in "Harold and Kumar 3D." However, a few weeks ago, reports surfaced that Segel and Neil Patrick Harris had both spoken to the creators of the show and were happy with the direction that the show would be taking in season 9 and then CBS started engaging in talks for a new season.

CBS Entertainment's President, Nina Tassler, said, "Through eight years, How I Met Your Mother has mastered the art of leading-edge comedy, emotional water-cooler moments and pop culture catch-phrases...We are excited for Carter, Craig, Pam Fryman and this amazing cast to tell the final chapter and reveal television's most mysterious mother to some of TV's most passionate fans."

Dana Walden and Gary Newman, Chairmen of 20^th Century Fox Television, said in a joint statement, "We're thrilled to have the entire and incredibly talented How I Met Your Mother cast back for one final season to bring the series to a proper close...Carter Bays and Craig Thomas are masterful and hilarious storytellers, and we have no doubt that they will guide one of the greatest comedies of the last decade to a gratifying conclusion when they finally reveal the identity of the Mother."