‘Married With Children’ Returns: Reboot Brings Back Original Cast

The Bundy family is making a comeback in an animated reboot of the hit sitcom Married… with Children, which originally aired from 1987 to 1997. Joining the growing list of reboots and revivals, this new animated series will feature the return of the original cast, including Katey Sagal, Ed O’Neill, Christina Applegate, and David Faustino. The cast will be reprising their roles as voice actors in the fan favorite but dysfunctional Bundy clan.

The original show revolves around the quirky lives of the Chicago-based Bundy family, consisting of Al (O’Neill), a chauvinistic shoe salesman; his indolent wife, Peggy (Sagal); and their two kids, Kelly (Applegate) and Bud (Faustino). Although it ended without a proper finale, its impact on Fox, as one of the first original scripted series, helped launch the network into the mainstream.

All you need to know about the ‘Married… with Children’ reboot

The idea for an animated reboot of Married… with Children emerged as a solution to accommodate the cast’s busy schedules and incorporate elements from the original series, such as Frank Sinatra’s theme song, “Love and Marriage.” It also offered flexibility, particularly in light of Christina Applegate’s 2021 multiple sclerosis diagnosis and her subsequent decision to step back from on-camera acting in 2023. Fortunately, she remains open to voiceover work, making the animated series a perfect fit.

Moreover, given that it’s been 25 years since the show ended, the cast has aged significantly; an animated format allows the characters, setting, and overall aesthetic to remain unchanged. This means the story can seamlessly pick up where season 11 left off, with Kelly and Bud still living at home and the character dynamics intact.

In 2024, a leaked clip and synopsis revealed that the animated show will follow the Bundy family as they relocate to Dumpwater, Florida. The new series promises to retain the same hilarious relationship between the Bundys and their quirky neighbors.

What happened to the ‘Married… with Children’ cast after the series?

Married… with Children catapulted Katey Sagal and Ed O’Neill to enduring TV stardom while also launching Christina Applegate into a successful career in both television and film. In contrast, David Faustino, who played the lovable but mischievous Bud Bundy, is the only main cast member who hasn’t achieved the same level of widespread recognition beyond the show.

The network for the animated reboot remains unknown, but Sony will likely partner with either Fox, Hulu, or Peacock to bring the new show to the audience.