Modern Family captivated audiences for over a decade with its hilarious and heartwarming portrayal of a modern family. Filmed in a mockumentary style, the show followed Jay Pritchett, his wife Gloria, and their extended family, including Jay’s children, Claire and Mitchell, and their respective families. As Modern Family progressed through its seasons, the children grew up, new family members were introduced, and life changes unfolded, keeping viewers engaged and entertained.
Throughout its impressive run, Modern Family maintained its popularity and strong viewership for ABC. Even as Modern Family entered its later seasons, it remained a reliable performer in the ratings. Despite its continued success and the potential for endless family stories, Modern Family concluded after season 11, leaving many fans wondering why Modern Family season 12 never materialized.
Custom image of Life in Pieces, Modern Family, and Black-ish casts
Alt text: Comparison image of the cast ensembles from sitcoms Life in Pieces, Modern Family, and Black-ish, suggesting shows similar to Modern Family.
Why Modern Family Didn’t Return for Season 12
Season 11 Was Always Planned As The End For Modern Family
While the creators and showrunners of Modern Family, Christopher Lloyd and Steven Levitan, didn’t give one definitive explanation for the show’s ending, signs pointed towards season 11 being the final chapter for quite some time. When Modern Family was renewed for season 10, Lloyd and Levitan hinted that it would likely be the last, although no official announcement was made immediately. The confirmation of the show’s conclusion came after season 9 experienced a noticeable dip in critical acclaim.
Interestingly, the anticipation that season 10 might be the final season of Modern Family spurred the writers to introduce significant plot developments. This included the unexpected and poignant death of DeDe Pritchett, Jay’s ex-wife and mother to Claire and Mitchell. Season 10 also saw Haley rekindle her romance with Dylan, get married, and become parents to twins.
This injection of fresh storylines revitalized season 10, resulting in improved review scores. The writers and producers were intrigued to explore the ramifications of these events on the family, leading to the pitch for Modern Family season 11. ABC readily approved this request, but crucially, when Modern Family was greenlit for season 11, it was conceived as the definitive final season. Planning the ending allowed Lloyd and Levitan to provide a fitting send-off to the beloved characters, which is a primary reason why Modern Family season 12 never happened.
Alt text: Collage of Modern Family characters: Lily with a guilty expression, Phil and Claire smiling on their couch, and Jay looking nervous in a red tracksuit, showcasing the show’s ensemble cast.
Modern Family Spin-Off Mitch And Cam Script Updates
There Were Plans For Modern Family To Continue In A New Show
The family hugging in the Modern Family series finale.
Alt text: The Modern Family cast embracing in a group hug during the series finale, signifying the show’s conclusion and family bond.
The Modern Family series finale provided closure by sending the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan on new paths. The Dunphy children all moved out, Manny embarked on a journey with his father, and Mitch, Cam, and Lily relocated to Missouri for Cam’s college football coaching job. This setup naturally paved the way for a potential Modern Family spin-off focusing on Mitch, Cam, and Lily as they navigated life in Missouri.
However, Jesse Tyler Ferguson confirmed that ABC decided against moving forward with the spin-off series. Ferguson expressed disappointment as the script was already well-developed and promising. The existence of a script means that the Mitch and Cam spin-off could potentially be revived by another network or streaming service in the future. Despite its eleven-season run, Modern Family maintained a devoted fanbase, suggesting a Mitch and Cam spin-off would likely attract a strong audience, at least initially.
Even without a spin-off on the horizon, the Modern Family cast has remained close-knit. Several cast members reunited for Sarah Hyland’s wedding, demonstrating their enduring bond. This close relationship among the cast could increase the likelihood of a future Modern Family reunion project sometime down the line.
Alt text: Image with text “Modern Family No Sense” highlighting humorous and illogical moments within the show, a common sitcom trope.
What Has The Modern Family Cast Done Since The Show Ended?
The Cast Remains Active
Haley and Dylan hold their twin babies in Modern Family
Alt text: Haley and Dylan smiling as they hold their newborn twins in Modern Family, depicting character development after the show’s initial seasons.
| Actor Name | Most Significant Post-Modern Family Role |
|---|---|
| Ariel Winter | Star Trek: Lower Decks (Voice) (2023) |
| Sofia Vergara | Griselda (2024) |
| Ty Burrell | Duncanville (Voice) (2020-2022) |
| Sarah Hyland | Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin (2022) |
| Jesse Tyler Ferguson | Cocaine Bear (2023) |
| Julie Bowen | Totally Killer (2023) |
| Eric Stonestreet | The Santa Clauses (2023) |
| Nolan Gould | Miranda’s Victim (2023) |
| Ed O’Neill | Clipped (2024) |
While fans still ponder the question of why Modern Family ended, the cast members have actively pursued various projects since the series finale. Ariel Winter (Alex) relocated from Los Angeles and has recently focused on voice acting, including work on The Quarry game. Sofia Vergara (Gloria) has served as a judge on America’s Got Talent for multiple seasons, starred in the Netflix series Griselda, and lent her voice to a character in Despicable Me 4. Ty Burrell (Phil) has also ventured into voice acting, notably playing the father, Jack, in Duncanville.
Sarah Hyland (Hayley) hosted the US version of Love Island after Modern Family and appeared in Pitch Perfect: Bumper in Berlin and the film My Fake Boyfriend. Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitch) authored a cookbook post-Modern Family and won a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway revival of Take Me Out. In 2023, he had a memorable supporting role in Cocaine Bear.
Julie Bowen (Claire) took a brief hiatus after Modern Family before starring alongside Adam Sandler in the Netflix movie Hubie Halloween. She has since increased her acting work, with a recurring role in the animated series Hailey’s On It and appearances in films like The Fallout, Mixtape, and Totally Killer. Eric Stonestreet (Cam) also took a short break after Modern Family, returning in 2022 as the host of Domino Masters before taking on a main role in The Santa Clauses.
Nolan Gould (Luke) made his return to acting in 2023 with Miranda’s Victim. Ed O’Neill (Jay) starred in the miniseries Clipped in 2024. Rico Rodriguez (Manny) has not acted since Modern Family. Aubrey Anderson-Emmons (Lily), who spent much of her childhood on the set of Modern Family, has become a content creator on YouTube and TikTok.
Will There Be A Modern Family Reunion?
There’s No Plan To Bring The Modern Family Cast Back Together (Yet)
Alt text: The Modern Family cast smiling together in a promotional photo from the season 1 finale, showcasing their camaraderie and early success.
While Modern Family season 12 and the Mitch and Cam spin-off are not in development, hopes for a Modern Family reunion special remain alive. Many sitcoms, including Friends and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, have successfully reunited their casts for special episodes. Modern Family could certainly follow suit, although no reunion is currently planned.
It’s worth noting that Modern Family concluded relatively recently in 2020, less than five years ago. Therefore, 2025 would be the earliest a reunion special might realistically occur, potentially coinciding with a significant anniversary. Nevertheless, the ongoing speculation and discussions about a Modern Family reunion underscore the show’s enduring popularity.
Ariel Winter expressed the cast’s openness to a reunion in a 2022 interview with PopCulture, stating, “Obviously, we’d all love to get back to work and work together again, that would be awesome, but I do think that where the story ended was perfect for the show,” suggesting a spin-off format focusing on the characters’ current lives might be more suitable.
The Modern Family cast’s genuine affection for each other is evident in their off-screen interactions, such as Jesse Tyler Ferguson officiating Sarah Hyland’s wedding. Ultimately, while Modern Family season 11 marked the end of the main series, future reunions or spin-offs are plausible possibilities. As Ariel Winter pointed out, Modern Family concluded on a satisfying note, completing a multi-generational family saga over a decade.
The Modern Family cast has also shared glimpses of personal reunions on social media, further fueling fan desires for an official on-screen reunion.
Some Modern Family Cast Members Came Together For A Commercial
Four Cast Members Reprised Their Roles For WhatsApp
Alt text: Mitchell looking at Phil, Claire, and Cam on the couch in a Modern Family themed WhatsApp commercial, a mini-reunion for the show.
In a delightful moment for Modern Family enthusiasts, four cast members recently reprised their iconic roles in a WhatsApp commercial. Phil, Claire, Cam, and Mitchell seamlessly slipped back into their characters, replicating their familiar dynamics. The ad depicted Phil and Claire showing Cam photos of Haley’s children, leading to Mitchell feeling excluded from their group chat.
The commercial cleverly highlighted WhatsApp’s user-friendly features, even for those less tech-savvy. It concluded with Cam and Mitchell humorously discussing Mitchell’s “exclusion.” This brief reunion of four key cast members was a welcome treat for fans.
Beyond this commercial, the Modern Family cast has consistently shown support for one another in various ways. Sofia Vergara invited Eric Stonestreet to be a guest judge on America’s Got Talent, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson has appeared on Aubrey Anderson-Emmons’ YouTube channel and in a TikTok video with her.
Success!
Modern Family Poster
Alt text: Modern Family promotional poster featuring the ensemble cast, highlighting the show’s focus on family dynamics and comedy.
