Nolan Gould Reflects on ‘Modern Family’s’ Emotional Farewell, Enduring Cast Bonds, and Dream Guest Star

As Modern Family, the beloved Emmy Award-winning ABC sitcom, prepares to draw its curtains with its eleventh and final season, star Nolan Gould, who grew up before our eyes as the quirky Luke Dunphy, shared exclusive insights with HollywoodLife. From the unexpected renewal of the series to the unbreakable bonds formed with his onscreen siblings and a hilariously unconventional dream guest star, Gould offered a heartfelt look back at over a decade on one of television’s most iconic shows.

Nolan Gould was just a spirited 10-year-old when he first stepped onto the set of Modern Family in 2009. Over the course of its impressive run, which saw the show evolve into a global cultural phenomenon, viewers have watched Nolan, now 20, mature alongside his character, Luke Dunphy. The journey has been remarkable, marked by laughter, critical acclaim, and a unique coming-of-age experience in the public eye. With the eleventh and final season set to premiere in the fall of 2019, the actor opened up about the bittersweet reality of saying goodbye and the surprise leading up to this ultimate chapter.

The Unexpected Eleventh Hour: A Farewell Season No One Saw Coming

For the cast and crew of Modern Family, the idea of an eleventh season was initially a distant dream, almost an impossibility. According to Nolan, the tenth season was widely believed to be the grand finale. “We actually were expecting season 10 to be our series finale and our season 10 finale was supposed to be our show’s ending,” Nolan revealed to HollywoodLife. The creative team had even crafted an ending that perfectly encapsulated the show’s spirit and narrative arc, bringing everything full circle for the Dunphy, Pritchett, and Tucker-Pritchett families.

Nolan elaborated on the carefully planned conclusion, describing a poignant moment that echoed the very beginning of the series: “Because it’s written like that. It comes full circle. The Lion King moment happens that they walk out holding the babies up [just like in the beginning of the series]. That’s how our show was supposed to end.” This kind of full-circle storytelling is often reserved for definitive series finales, providing a sense of closure and reflection on the journey taken. The cast had emotionally prepared themselves for this farewell, internalizing the idea that their decade-long adventure was coming to an end.

Therefore, the news of a surprise eleventh season came as a genuine shock, albeit a welcome one. “And then they suddenly added another season. We weren’t expecting that at all. We were really blown away,” Nolan admitted. This unexpected reprieve offered an additional opportunity to spend time with the people who had become his second family, providing a bonus chapter to a story they thought had already concluded. While the finality of the true end now looms, the extra year has been cherished. “So it’s sad to know that, OK, that is a definitive end but super happy to get one more season to spend with the people I love.” This sentiment perfectly captures the mixed emotions inherent in wrapping up such a significant, long-running project.

A Decade of Kinship: Growing Up Dunphy, On and Off Screen

One of the most heartwarming aspects of Modern Family’s longevity is the authentic bond forged between its young stars. Nolan has co-starred with Ariel Winter (Alex Dunphy) and Sarah Hyland (Haley Dunphy) since the show’s inception, portraying his older sisters with a chemistry that felt genuinely familial. For over a decade, these three actors, along with the entire ensemble cast, have shared monumental life experiences, both professional and personal, transforming their on-screen relationships into profound real-life friendships.

“We’ve really grown up together the past 10 going on 11 years now,” Nolan shared, emphasizing the unique nature of their shared journey. Unlike many young actors who might balance traditional schooling with their craft, Nolan’s experience was heavily intertwined with the show. “I never went to real school and I had friends, but for the most part, my life from a young age was focused on work so it was really cool to have people that became like family.” The set of Modern Family wasn’t just a workplace; it became a crucial environment for their development, where they learned, laughed, and supported each other through formative years.

This shared history has created an unbreakable bond that Nolan believes will last a lifetime. “I know that we’re going to be bonded for life. We’re going to be best friends after the show.” This speaks volumes about the depth of their connection, extending far beyond the scripted lines and studio lights. While all cast members share a special relationship, Nolan highlighted his particular closeness with Ariel Winter. Their friendship has not only endured but thrived outside of work, evolving naturally as they transition into adulthood.

“We’ve moved into the same neighborhood and stuff. She’s like 3 minutes away from me,” Nolan revealed, illustrating the casual yet constant presence they maintain in each other’s lives. These aren’t friendships that require grand plans or scheduled meetups; they are an organic part of their daily routines. “It’s like when I go home from work I just like see Ariel out on walks and stuff,” he added, painting a picture of genuine, everyday companionship. This ease and comfort are the hallmarks of true family, demonstrating that the Dunphy sibling dynamic, in many ways, mirrored their real-life relationships.

The Legacy of a Modern Family: Why It Resonated

Beyond the personal journeys of its actors, Modern Family leaves behind an indelible legacy in television history. The show garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase by presenting a refreshingly honest and humorous take on contemporary family life. Its mockumentary style, coupled with brilliant writing and a stellar ensemble cast, allowed it to tackle complex social issues with grace and wit, earning numerous accolades including multiple Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series.

The series broke new ground by showcasing a diverse, non-traditional family structure at a time when traditional sitcoms often adhered to more conventional molds. It celebrated individuality, acceptance, and the universal quirks that make every family unique. For Nolan and his co-stars, being part of a show with such significant cultural impact added another layer of meaning to their work. They were not just entertainers; they were part of a narrative that helped redefine what “family” looks like on screen for millions around the world.

Growing up within this context provided a unique lens through which to view the world, one informed by the show’s overarching messages of love, understanding, and embracing differences. The lessons learned, both from the scripts and from the real-life interactions with their diverse cast and crew, undoubtedly shaped their perspectives as individuals, contributing to the rich tapestry of their experiences on the set of Modern Family.

A Climber’s Cameo: Nolan Gould’s Unconventional Dream Guest Star

Throughout its illustrious run, Modern Family has been graced by an impressive roster of talented guest stars, from seasoned comedic actors to celebrated dramatic performers. These appearances often added an extra layer of hilarity or heartfelt emotion to the Dunphys’ and Pritchetts’ already eventful lives. With the final season on the horizon, the question of a dream guest star for the show’s swan song naturally arises.

When asked about his ideal cameo for the last season, Nolan Gould’s answer was refreshingly unexpected and hilariously out-of-the-box. “If I could choose one person to guest star on Modern Family… This is so unrelated because he’s not like in anything in the entertainment world but I just met Alex Honnold yesterday from Free Solo,” Nolan revealed. Honnold, famously known for his death-defying free solo climb of El Capitan documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo, is not your typical sitcom guest.

However, Nolan’s imaginative pitch for Honnold’s appearance is perfectly aligned with the often-absurd yet endearing escapades of the Dunphy family, particularly those involving Luke and his perpetually enthusiastic, sometimes clumsy, father, Phil Dunphy. “I don’t know how we’d fit it into the storyline, maybe Luke and Phil go rock-climbing and we get stuck somewhere and Alex Honnold just comes and saves them.”

This hypothetical scenario immediately conjures images of a classic Modern Family plotline: Phil’s well-intentioned but ill-fated adventures, Luke’s reluctant participation, and a sudden, outlandish predicament requiring an unlikely hero. The humor would stem from the sheer contrast between the mundane chaos of the Dunphys and Honnold’s real-life heroics, perhaps with the climbing legend offering deadpan advice while effortlessly rescuing the hapless father-son duo. It’s a testament to Nolan’s own creative spirit and the show’s ability to blend the ordinary with the extraordinary, even in its final moments.

Bidding Adieu: A Lasting Impact

As Modern Family prepares to take its final bow, the feelings are undoubtedly complex. For Nolan Gould, it marks the end of a pivotal chapter that spanned his entire adolescence and early adulthood. The show’s influence extends beyond its impressive ratings and awards; it fostered a deep sense of community among its cast, created relatable characters that resonated globally, and pushed the boundaries of what a family sitcom could be.

The final season promises to deliver more of the humor, heart, and occasional chaos that fans have come to love, culminating in an emotional farewell that will surely leave a lasting impression. Nolan Gould’s reflections offer a poignant glimpse into the journey of a young actor who truly grew up within the embrace of a modern, albeit fictional, family. The bonds formed, the lessons learned, and the memories created on the set of Modern Family will undoubtedly stay with him, and with audiences, long after the last episode airs.