“Modern Family” Star Eric Stonestreet Opens Up About Rejected Spinoff Series
In a recent video interview with Graham Bensinger, “Modern Family” star Eric Stonestreet revealed his disappointment over ABC rejecting a planned sequel series to the hit show. The proposed spinoff would have followed the lives of Stonestreet’s character, Cameron, along with Mitchell (played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and their daughter, Lily (portrayed by Aubrey Anderson-Emmons), as they moved to Missouri for Cameron to pursue his dream of becoming a college football coach. The spinoff had the support of original “Modern Family” co-creator Chris Lloyd.
Stonestreet expressed his feelings about the rejection, stating, “It felt a little hurtful.” He shared that a script had been written by Chris Lloyd and a few other writers that spun off Cameron and Mitchell’s life in Missouri, but ABC ultimately decided not to move forward with the project. Despite his disappointment, Stonestreet spoke fondly of his character and the show, praising his working relationship with Jesse Tyler Ferguson and the chemistry they shared on screen.
The actor, who portrayed Cameron Tucker for all 11 seasons of “Modern Family,” received three Emmy nominations and won twice for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series during the show’s run from 2009 to 2020. Stonestreet believed that the proposed spinoff would have been a success, given the talent and dedication of the creators and cast involved. He expressed regret that ABC did not greenlight the project, stating, “If ABC would have said ‘Let’s do it,’ I think we’d be on right now.”
While Stonestreet acknowledged that the opportunity for the spinoff has likely passed due to the time that has elapsed since the show ended, he remains open to reuniting with his “Modern Family” co-stars. He even mentioned his wish for a Christmas special to bring the cast back together. Despite the disappointment of the rejected spinoff, Stonestreet remains grateful for his time on the show and the experiences he shared with his fellow cast members.
Fans can watch the full interview with Eric Stonestreet on Graham Bensinger’s YouTube channel. Although the spinoff may not come to fruition, the legacy of “Modern Family” lives on through the memories and performances of its beloved characters.