Grace and Frankie season five was released in January 2019 after the series gained a global fanbase amongst Netflix viewers. The fifth season proved to a be a hit with subscribers who were left transfixed by the drama on-screen. One factor that set Grace and Frankie season five aside from its previous series is how the latest season was made in honour of people close to the cast and crew. One such honouree is Shawndra Blyle and here’s what you need to know about why she was honoured. Related articles Grace and Frankie season 6 Netflix release date: Will it return? Grace and Frankie season 5 ending explained: What happened at the end? Who is Shawndra Blyle from Grace and Frankie season 5? Shawndra Blyle was the mother of Grace and Frankie crew member Bobby Blyle. Bobby has worked as the assistant to Lily Tomlin (who plays Frankie Bergstein) since the first episode of season two. Grace and Frankie season five honoured the memory of Bobby’s mother Shawndra after her death in 2017. In a Facebook post dated to September 8, 2017, one of Shawndra’s best friends broke the heartbreaking news on social media. HOW TO WATCH GRACE AND FRANKIE SEASON 5 ONLINE Grace and Frankie season 5: The cast and crew (Image: Getty) The Facebook post read: “I lost my best friend yesterday to cancer. “Shawndra Blyle is now in the arms of our Lord. We had to have been sisters in a life before this one. She was the ear that I could share good things and bad things with, and she would cry with me or congratulate me. Can never replace her. “Please say a prayer for her daughter Bobbie Blyle and daughter in law, Barclay Blyle. She loved them both so much, and the loving care they gave her was so amazing and selfless. “God bless you Shawndra, I love you,” the post ended. The heartfelt touch by Grace and Frankie was also replicated in their tribute to staff writer Melissa DiNicola. WHO DOES RUPAUL PLAY IN GRACE AND FRANKIE SEASON 5? Related articles Grace and Frankie season 5: Why it is dedicated to Melissa DiNicola Grace and Frankie season 5 cast: Who does RuPaul play? Grace and Frankie season 5: Fonda and Tomlin (Image: Netflix) Prior to the end credits of the Grace and Frankie season five finale, a message popped up on-screen which read: “This season is decimated to the loving memory of Melissa DiNicola”. Melissa tragically passed away in May 2018 at the age of 26. The writer first joined Grace and Frankie in March 2015 and served as a writers’ personal assistant until November 2016. Melissa then got her first taste at scriptwriting on the show in season four – she co-wrote the season finale entitled Home. After impressing with her writing talent, Melissa became a fully-fledged staff writer for season five of Grace and Frankie. Melissa had also worked as a script editor for web series Seeking. GRACE AND FRANKIE SEASON 6 RELEASE DATE ON NETFLIX Grace and Frankie season 5: DiNicola's message (Image: Netflix) Grace and Frankie fans have since flooded Melissa’s Instagram page with heartfelt wishes since watching season five. One wrote on Melissa’s last post: “Just watched season five, “Sorry to hear this lovely lady had passed. Prayers for your family and friends.” A second simply commented: “Prayers”, alongside a love heart emoji. While a number of other social media users have shared emojis of love hearts and halos in memory of the writer. Grace and Frankie season 5 is available to stream now on Netflix.All rights reserved for this news site express.co.uk and under his responsibility