Jesse Tyler Ferguson dodged Modern Family spinoff lure

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, an actor known for his role in Modern Family, revealed he was ready for a change after the show concluded its 11-season run in 2020. The onset of the pandemic initially stalled his post-show plans, but a potential Modern Family spinoff focusing on his and Eric Stonestreet's characters, Cameron and Mitchell Pritchett, emerged.

However, Ferguson admitted to feeling a strong urge to explore different acting opportunities. He likened the situation to wanting to "date other people" professionally, indicating a need to break free from the structured sitcom environment. He expressed that after over a decade, he wanted to experience life outside of that framework.

Eric Stonestreet, who played Ferguson's on-screen husband, shared his perspective on the undeveloped spinoff. He mentioned that while a script for a spinoff set in Missouri was written, the network ultimately declined to move forward with it. Stonestreet suggested that the decision might have been influenced by perceptions of them being "the old guys," which he found somewhat disheartening, though he acknowledged business decisions.

Despite the show's finale airing six years ago (as of 2026), discussions about reboots or spinoffs have been persistent. Ferguson's reluctance and the network's final decision ultimately put an end to the potential Cameron and Mitchell spinoff, allowing Ferguson to pursue new directions.