Jesse Tyler Ferguson has opened up about his reluctance to pursue a Modern Family spinoff centred on his character Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker, played by Eric Stonestreet. The actor, who portrayed the meticulous environmental lawyer for eleven seasons, expressed a desire to explore different creative avenues after the show's conclusion.
Ferguson's Post-Modern Family Ambitions
In a candid discussion on his Dinner's On Me podcast with guest Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ferguson detailed the timing and context of the proposed spinoff. "Modern Family ended and then we had a pandemic, you know. I was so excited for this next chapter of my life, and then it was like, everyone go inside," Ferguson recounted. During that period, network executives began developing the idea of a spinoff following Mitch and Cam's life in Missouri.
"I was interested, but I was also supposed to do this play in New York," Ferguson explained. After dedicating over a decade to the sitcom, he yearned to experience new challenges. "I wanted to try something different and feel what it's like not to do that," he said, likening the situation to wanting to "date other people" creatively as the spinoff's reality loomed.
The Unrealised Spinoff Concept
The envisioned series would have tracked the Pritchett-Tucker family's relocation to Missouri, where Cam secures a college football coaching position. This narrative would have continued the story of Mitch, Cam, their adopted Vietnamese daughter Lily, and their newly adopted son Rexford. The couple's journey, including their landmark wedding episode following California's legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2013, made them a cornerstone of the show's ensemble.
Ultimately, the project "ended up not working out." Ferguson acknowledged in 2022 that the script, penned by Modern Family co-creator Christopher Lloyd alongside other writers, was "very good," but noted, "If someone wants to produce it, maybe."
Co-Star's Disappointment and Fan Hopes
Eric Stonestreet voiced his disappointment in 2024, describing ABC's rejection as "hurtful." "They had their chance. Chris Lloyd and a couple of the writers wrote a really great script that spun Jesse and I off in our life in Missouri, and they said, 'No.' They just said, 'We don't want to do it,'" Stonestreet told Deadline. He speculated that network executives might have viewed them as "the old guys" unworthy of continuation, emphasising that "people make business decisions."
Despite the spinoff's cancellation, hope persists for a Modern Family reunion. Stonestreet has advocated for a Christmas special, while Ed O'Neill, who played Jay Pritchett, has expressed openness to the idea. Fans consistently petition for a revival, buoyed by the show's legacy of 22 Emmy awards, including five consecutive Outstanding Comedy Series wins from 2010 to 2014.
McLendon-Covey remains optimistic, predicting the series will return when "enough time will have happened for new ideas to germinate. And you'll all want to do it by that time." The beloved sitcom, featuring a stellar cast including Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, and Sofia Vergara, continues to resonate, leaving the door ajar for future possibilities.
