For nine years, hit US sitcom series Roseanne, starring John Goodman and Roseanne Barr shared relatable moments about the struggles of a working-class family. Now, the TV show is set to make a comeback sometime in 2018 after 20 years. Here’s what we know so far about the exciting revival…
The cast
Many of the show’s original cast members are set to return, including Roseanne Barr (Roseanne), John Goodman (Dan), Sara Gilbert (Darlene), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Michael Fishman (D.J), and Lecy Goranson (Becky).
The two children of Darlene and David have also been cast, with Ames McNamara as eight-year-old Mark and Emma Kenney playing their teenage daughter, Harris.
Johnny Galecki will return as David
While The Big Bang Theory star Johnny Galecki was rumoured to take part in the revival, his return to the series has now been officially confirmed by executive producer Whitney Cummings.
Galecki originally played Kevin, whose name was later changed to David. The actor posted an Instagram snap of a table read at the new set over the weekend, captioning: “21 YEARS LATER…! Apart from being born, possibly the most surreal experience of my life. Deep thanks to my Big Bang Theory family for knowing the importance of visiting one’s roots and loaning me out for a quick minute.”
Due to a very busy Big Bang Theory schedule Johnny Galecki will only be reprising his role very briefly. The 42-year-old will only appear in one instalment of the show, leaving some serious questions over the state of his relationship with Darlene (Sara Gilbert).
The revival sees Darlene move back home with her two kids and in a recent teaser we watch the pair in Darlene’s childhood bedroom. Check it out below.
Becky squared
We’re getting a double dose of Becky when Roseanne returns to our screens. Both Lecy Goranson who first scored the role and Sarah Chalke, aka Becky No.2 who later took over, are set to appear in the reboot.
Lecy will be reprising her role while Sarah will take on a new character by the name of Andrea, who has asked Becky to be her surrogate.
Dan Conner will live on
John Goodman will return.
In the shows final episode, it was revealed that Dan had actually died of a heart attack and that much of the series had been a figment of Roseanne’s imagination as a way to deal with the loss.
The finale also uncovered that Roseanne’s sister Jackie was a lesbian, the family hadn’t won the lottery at all, and Darlene was dating Mark, not David.
But ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey told Entertainment Weekly that Dan is still very much alive.
“I don’t want to talk too specifically, but I wouldn’t say we’ll ignore the events of the finale. Dan is definitely still alive,” he said.
How many episodes will there be?
Instead of eight episodes which were originally planned, the shows reboot was increased to run for nine episodes.
