Eric Stonestreet has come to terms with the fact that the Modern Family spinoff he once hoped for is no longer a possibility.
In a detailed interview with Graham Bensinger, Stonestreet reflected on the proposed sequel series that would have followed his character, Cameron, along with Mitchell (played by Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and their daughter, Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons), as they relocated from California to Missouri. While Stonestreet was initially excited about the idea, he now believes the opportunity has passed.
“I don’t think it’s a possibility anymore,” Stonestreet said about the canceled project. “They had their chance. [Series co-creator] Chris Lloyd and a few of the writers developed a fantastic script for Jesse and me to continue our story in Missouri, but [the network] said no. They just decided they didn’t want to do it.”
Stonestreet admitted that the network’s decision left him, Ferguson, and Lloyd feeling disappointed.
“I love my character. I love the show. I love working with Jesse. We had such great chemistry,” he explained. “But it felt like maybe they saw us as the old guys or something, like we weren’t worth keeping the story going. It was a bit hurtful, but at the end of the day, it’s a business decision.”
The proposed spinoff would have centered on the Tucker-Pritchett family’s new life in Missouri after adopting baby boy Rexford and pursuing Cam’s dream of becoming a college football coach. Stonestreet was confident the show would have been a success.
“I really think it would have been a slam dunk,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind it would have been successful. One of the creators who had maintained the high quality of the original show for so long was fully behind it.”
Stonestreet also acknowledged the concerns of Modern Family co-creator Steven Levitan, who was worried that a spinoff might dilute the brand. However, Stonestreet disagreed with that assessment.
“We had all the right people in place, and it would’ve been great. If ABC had given the green light, I think we’d be on air right now,” he argued.
Despite his confidence in the potential of the spinoff, Stonestreet now believes too much time has passed for it to happen. “I don’t know how it would work now since it’s been so long,” he admitted, though he remains open to a different type of reunion. “I’d love for us to do a Christmas special.”
*Modern Family* ran on ABC from 2009 to 2020, spanning 11 seasons. The series starred Stonestreet, Ferguson, Anderson-Emmons, Sofia Vergara, Ty Burrell, Julie Bowen, Ariel Winter, Nolan Gould, Sarah Hyland, Ed O’Neill, and Rico Rodriguez.
Ferguson also discussed the spinoff’s potential during a 2022 interview, noting, “The script’s out there and it’s very good. Who knows? If someone wants to produce it, maybe it’ll happen.”
Their on-screen daughter, Anderson-Emmons, also expressed some interest in the project during an interview earlier this year, though she had some reservations.
“They haven’t said much about it, but my mom asked me if I’d want to do it, and I thought about it,” the 16-year-old actress said. “I think I’d be more interested once I’m done with high school. I’ve got less than a year and a half left, so school is my priority right now — unless something great comes along.”
She added, “I’d definitely be interested if the script was good and if Jesse and Eric were on board, but right now, I’m focused on school.”
You can catch Stonestreet’s full interview on the potential spinoff in the video above.