Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (2024)

Modern Family is close to ending its run with the final episodes of the 11th season set to resume in early January 2020. Throughout the run of the successful Emmy-winning series,which debuted in 2009, we have followed the Pritchett, Dunphy, and Tucker-Pritchett extended family households as they go about their daily lives. The families all live in suburban Los Angeles, not far from one another. They get together often and are very involved in one another’s lives.

RELATED: Modern Family: 5 Subplots That Were Wrapped Up Perfectly (& 5 That Weren’t)

With only a few episodes left, there is still a lot of story to work out in order to tie up loose storylines with a nice bow. What are some of the biggest unanswered questions fans have about the main characters? Here they are.

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Will Haley and Dylan Ever Move Out?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (1)

Haley and Dylan were on and off high school sweethearts who reconnected in their 20s, got pregnant and then married. Now with twin babies, they both live with Haley’s parents as they work out their careers and independent lives.

So the biggest question about these two is: will they ever move out of their parents’ home and if so, when? Dylan is studying to be a nurse and Haley has a relatively good job so it’s very possible they could make it on their own. They had also talked about potentially moving to France. Whatever the choice, we’d like to see them start truly adulting on their own before the show ends.

Will Mitch, Cam, and Lily Move Away?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (2)

In the latest episode, Cam got a job offer to go back to his hometown of Missouri. He and Mitchell had always talked about potentially moving somewhere so this seems like the perfect opportunity. Mitch can work anywhere as a lawyer, Lily is getting ready to head to high school, and Cameron has career aspirations.

While it would be sad to see the family all move on, it makes total sense that they would uproot their lives and have a fresh start in a new state.

Is Phil Going To Quit Real Estate For Good?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (3)

Phil has always been known for his job as a realtor and he seems to be totally passionate about it. But he has also had another passion, magic, and bought a local magic shop to run it to fulfill that. Is it really possible for him to continue with these two demanding careers?

RELATED: Modern Family: 10 Best Inspiring Quotes About Relationships

It would be great to see Phil follow his dreams of being a magician, but we also can’t imagine Phil not selling houses. So we hope in the end, he finds a way to do both.

Will Phil Become a Well-Known Magician?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (4)

Further to the previous point, Phil not only runs a small magic shop, but he also does magic shows and performs now and then, even if just for small events. He studies the latest tricks and buys gear to perfect his talent. He really wants to be a practicing magician.

Will he see this dream fulfilled? If Claire went back to work, they could certainly afford to live on her CEO salary so Phil could pursue his dream. And this might very well be the course the couple takes.

Is Claire Going To Go Back To Work?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (5)

Claire quit her job as CEO of her dad’s closets company, realizing that as much as she missed working, she got so used to having time for her family and didn’t like that she no longer had that, especially now with two new grandkids.

In the latest episode, she was being headhunted by another firm, and Jay was trying to coax his daughter to come work with him again on his new venture, making themed dog beds. What will she decide in the end? If Haley and Dylan move away with the babies, she’ll be an empty nester and might be ready to go back to work once again.

How Successful A Realtor Will Gloria Be?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (6)

Gloria has trained with Phil to work in real estate and has proven to have a real knack for it. She studied hard to understand all of the terminology and how the business works and has a good disposition to deal with clients.

RELATED: 10 Biggest Character Developments In Modern Family From Season 1-10

Will she and Phil team up and continue to run a successful real estate business in the area? Or will Phil hand his business over to Gloria and move on to pursue a career in magic? If he chooses the former, it seems the business would be in great hands with Gloria.

Is Luke Going To Become Uber-Successful?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (7)

We last learned that Luke had come up with a clever invention and found a wealthy venture capitalist to invest. Is it possible this could take off and Luke becomes a rich mogul? Could he sell his invention to someone big, make a fortune, and move away?

It’s a big question mark as to Luke’s future,but we can see him getting millions, moving into a fancy L.A. mansion, entertaining with parties and girls, and enjoying his life as a wealthy inventor.

Will Alex Accept That Job In New York?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (8)

Alex seemed to be going back and forth about that job offer she got in New York. While it was a great opportunity and paid really well, she felt she would be selling out. She seemed to be simply roaming around her parents’ house trying to figure out what to do with her life.

We hope she decides to take the job, moves to New York, then finds a way to follow her passions there while also being the successful woman the family always knew she would become.

Which Kid Will Get Married Next?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (9)

With Haley now hitched, Alex, Luke, and Manny are the 20-something-year-old kids left to potentially get married; and then there’s the teenage Lily. Who will get married next? Both Alex and Luke seem to be enjoying casual dating, so our money is on Manny who seems to long to find the love of his life.

He had already proposed to his ex-Sherry, who ended up dating Luke after they broke up, much to Manny’s anger. Will he get back with her? Find another love? In any case, it would nice to end the show with another wedding.

Is Jay Going To Find Success With His New Dog Beds Company?

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (10)

Jay seems to have been somewhat lost since retiring from his closets company. He has enjoyed time relaxing at home with sports and a glass of scotch, going golfing with the guys, and playing with his dog Stella.

But his entrepreneurial mind simply couldn’t sleep and he came up with an idea for themed dog beds which he has now turned into a big company. Will it become as big and successful as Pritchett’s Closets? If so, Jay would certainly be leaving a great nest egg for his family, including his youngest son Joe.

NEXT: 10 Shows To Watch If You Love Modern Family

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters (2024)

FAQs

Modern Family: 10 Unanswered Questions We Still Have About The Main Characters? ›

The diagnosis, Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, requires Claire to "take it easy".

What disorder does Claire Dunphy have? ›

The diagnosis, Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, requires Claire to "take it easy".

Who is the least likable character in Modern Family? ›

Through 11 seasons, Modern Family has had a ton of characters. Some like Phil were fan favorites, but others (cough, Alex), were universally disliked.

Who would be the main character in Modern Family? ›

Is Luke Dunphy ADHD? ›

Like his father, he is believed to have ADHD, as he repeatedly becomes distracted when he has to do something important.

What is Phil Dunphy diagnosed with? ›

Phil is shown to be childlike and clumsy at times, and is implied by Claire to possibly have ADHD, characteristics he seems to share with his son Luke.

Who is the smartest kid in Modern Family? ›

Nolan Gould (born October 28, 1998) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Luke Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family.

Is Luke from Modern Family Autistic? ›

The dramatic comedy The Story of Luke shows us a character we rarely see in modern cinema: a young autistic man who wants to forge his own path through life, instead of being dependent on others.

Is Haley Dunphy straight? ›

Hyland, who has played Haley for nine seasons, just told fans that her character is indeed bisexual. Twitter user @poiisonpam, who in their bio identifies as bisexual, tweeted "haley dunphy is bisexual !

Who changed the most in Modern Family? ›

Sarah Hyland – Haley Dunphy

Given Modern Family began in 2009 and featured a number of now successful young actors, it's no wonder they're the ones that have arguably changed the most over the years. Sarah Hyland plays Haley, Claire and Phil's daughter.

Which characters leave Modern Family? ›

As fans may or may not know (sorry, spoiler alert!), each Modern Family character was sent off to a destination around the world. Jay (Ed O'Neill) and Gloria (Sofía Vergara) traveled to Colombia. Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cam (Eric Stonestreet) moved to Missouri to pursue a lifelong dream.

Who is Claire's favorite child? ›

Over the years inside the Dunphy house, fans would confirm that Alex was Claire's favorite child as they were the most alike.

What personality type is Haley Modern Family? ›

Haley Dunphy – ESTP

Impulsive and snarky, Haley Dunphy embodies a fairly ditzy version of the ESTP personality type. She lives for the thrill of experience and is always looking for new opportunities to have fun or let loose with her friends (or boyfriends).

How old was Haley when she had the twins? ›

We've had Phil and Claire talk about it, but you've never seen it. So that will be a really interesting aspect because she is 25 years old, which is a completely normal time to have a baby; in some states, that's old, and in other states, that's a fetus.

Does Phil have a crush on Gloria? ›

The relationship between Modern Family's Phil Dunphy and Gloria Delgado-Pritchett has always been platonic, but Phil can't help but be flustered and showcase his crush on Gloria whenever he's around her.

Is Phil ADHD? ›

Jason Hughes of TV Squad gave "Starry Night" a positive review, saying the changed dynamics "worked better than anyone could have expected." He admired Ty Burrell (Phil)'s "stellar physical comedy" as Phil demonstrated his obvious ADHD.

Who was almost cast as Phil Dunphy? ›

Matt LeBlanc – Phil Dunphy (Modern Family)

Matt was apparently offered the role of Phil Dunphy in the Modern Family pilot, but turned it down as he simply felt he was “not the guy for this”.

Why did Modern Family stop? ›

According to the actress, everyone involved in the show wished for that not to be the case with Modern Family, opting to end the show when it felt right.

How old is Claire Dunphy in Season 1? ›

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy

Bowenwas39 when the first season of Modern Family aired. In the show, her character was around the same age, likely born in 1970, the same year Bowen was born.

Did Lily skip a grade Modern Family? ›

She given the chance to skip a grade and move on straight to middle school. Both she and her parents accept the offer. She most probably begins attending at the start of season 9, however we never actually see her attending the school.

Is Lily really smart in Modern Family? ›

Her Academic Proficiency

In the finale episode of season 8, The Graduates, fans along with Mitch and Cam, learn for the first time that Lily is actually extremely academically gifted. So much so, that her principal suggests her to skip a grade so that she can study with peers closer to her level of intelligence.

What swear word does Lily say on Modern Family? ›

The adopted two-and-a-half year-old character somehow picks up the profanity “f—.” This naturally horrifies her parents, Cam and Mitchell, who in particular fear she'll blurt it at an upcoming wedding. Lily is shown saying the word, but it's not audible to the viewer.

Why is Lily never on Modern Family? ›

Aubrey Anderson-Emmons Joins 'Modern Family' as the New Lily

Aubrey replaces Jaden and Ella Hiller, the identical twin girls who played Lily for the Emmy-winning sitcom's first two seasons. The reason for the re-casting, a show source tells PEOPLE, is because the Hiller twins didn't enjoy acting.

What is Alex Dunphy's middle name? ›

Alexandra Anastasia "Alex" Dunphy (Ariel Winter) (born January 14, 1996) is the younger daughter of Claire and Phil.

Is Manny in love with Haley? ›

Manny has a crush on Haley early in the show and tries flirting with her repeatedly despite Haley clearly not being interested.

Does Claire have a drinking problem in Modern Family? ›

Claire Dunphy is an alcoholic. No one can tell me otherwise. She always has a glass.

Who does Manny end up with in Modern Family? ›

In the end, Luke chooses Manny over Sarah.

Who is the nerdy girl in Modern Family? ›

Ariel Winter Workman (born January 28, 1998) is an American actress. She starred as Alex Dunphy in the ABC comedy series Modern Family, for which she and her co-stars won four consecutive Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series.

Who is the nerd in Modern Family? ›

In the tradition of Lisa Simpson and Rory Gilmore, Modern Family's Alex Dunphy (played by Ariel Winter) is a nerd who has little community among her peers or within her family.

Who is the youngest boy in Modern Family? ›

Nolan Gould starred as Luke.

As the youngest child in the Dunphy family trio, Luke started as a rambunctious and dim-witted kid who was often at the center of mischievous antics in the family.

Did all the actors in Modern Family get along? ›

More than just colleagues, the cast — which includes Julie Bowen, Ariel Winter, Sarah Hyland, Ed O'Neill and other stars — are friends behind the scenes too. “We all really do love each other,” said Ferguson. “With any family, there are obviously dynamics and disagreements, but we all care about each other so much.

When was Modern Family at its peak? ›

During the 2010–2011 season, Modern Family was the highest rated scripted show in the 18–49 demographic, and the third-highest rated overall sitcom behind CBS's The Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men. The season also ranked first among DVR viewers.

Who almost got cast in Modern Family? ›

ABC originally passed on Ty Burrell and was pursuing Matt LeBlanc for his role. Julie Bowen wasn't even being considered for the show because she was pregnant at the time. In fact, Kristen Johnston and Lisa Kudrow were in the running, which would have made for a very unusual weekly "Friends" reunion.

Why was DeDe killed off? ›

DeDe Died For A Compelling Plotline

Co-showrunner and co-creator Steven Levitan shared that he wanted to have the main characters involved in a weighty storyline and that is why DeDe died. He said, "We've never seen the entire family have to deal with such a loss.

Why didn t Haley marry Andy? ›

Haley & Andy Broke Up Because Of A Job Opportunity

Knowing how badly Andy wanted a job in real estate, Haley knew she couldn't keep him from his dream, especially when she wasn't sure how serious their relationship was or where they'd end up.

Why is Alex not in Modern Family? ›

Alex leaves her high-paying corporate job to move to Switzerland with a new love interest. The Dunphys' middle child Alex, played by Ariel Winter, decides to quit her well-paying job to work for her former Caltech professor and Haley's ex-boyfriend, Dr. Arvin Fennerman, played by Chris Geere.

Who was Claire's first boyfriend? ›

Robbie Sullivan is Claire's old boyfriend from high school. He was invited to dinner by Claire's mom Dede, without Dede asking Claire first. At dinner he brought up stories from when Claire and him were dating.

Is Claire's for boys or girls? ›

Since 1974, Claire's has been the fun fashion destination for jewellery, cosmetics, accessories and ear piercing for tweens, teens and young girls between 3 and 18 years of age. Fun, passion and self-expression lives here.

How old is Alex Dunphy in Season 1? ›

In Season 1, Alex and her siblings fight a lot. She is 11 years old and is the middle child. It is shown that she is the smartest of her family and is paid less attention to because of it.

Why did Jay not like Phil? ›

Jay (Ed O'Neil) has been known to hold a grudge against Phil ever since the show began. He believed Phil was never good enough for his baby girl Claire and regretted her marrying him. Despite having a cordial relationship on the surface, Jay never truly accepted Phil as one of his own.

What is the highest rated episode of Modern Family? ›

10 Highest Ranking 'Modern Family' Episodes, According to IMDb
  1. 1 “Connection Lost" (Season 6, Ep 16)
  2. 2 "Vegas" (Season 5, Ep 18) ...
  3. 3 "Caught in the Act" (Season 2, Ep 13) ...
  4. 4 "Fulgencio" (Season 4, Ep 13) ...
  5. 5 "American Skyper" (Season 6, Ep 24) ...
  6. 6 "Fizbo" (Season 1, Ep 9) ...
  7. 7 "My Funky Valentine" ( Season 1, Ep 15) ...
Mar 25, 2023

Does Haley have ADHD Modern Family? ›

The Dunphy's stressor includes Haley's inability to care for her twins due to her ADHD. Additionally, she is currently unable to take her usually prescribed medication to help control her ADHD.

What is Alex Dunphy's personality? ›

Personality… super-smart, driven and wittily sarcastic. Alex has a dry sense of humor and knows how to wield it. When Haley asks her mother for $40 for “a book,” then melts under the slightest questioning and reveals she really wants a dress, Claire says Haley's a bad liar.

Who is the favorite character in Modern Family? ›

Phil Dunphy

Since Phil is the Modern Family character who tells jokes the most and has his own way of speaking sometimes, it makes sense that he would be ranked at the top.

What personality type is Claire Dunphy? ›

Claire Dunphy – ESTJ

She's not opposed to a little bit of fun and spontaneity, but she prefers when things are planned and organized. Like many ESTJs, Claire has a warm and sensitive interior but often has to play “bad cop” to Phil's more affable nature.

Does Claire have OCD in Modern Family? ›

She is portrayed negatively because she has controlling and obsessive tendencies, but, like my mom says when I criticize her for her OCD, it is only because she loves her family. Was this worth your time?

Is Claire Dunphy neurotic? ›

Claire Dunphy is a woman who gets things done. Unlike the other women in Modern Family, Claire harnesses her neurotic and controlling energy for the greater good of her family. However, next to a silly man like her husband Phil, Claire can look like the bad cop in most situations.

Does Claire Dunphy have anxiety? ›

Symptoms: Anxious feelings, preoccupied with wanting things to be in order, and paranoia. Referred for evaluation by her husband Phil Dunphy due to concerns about her obsession of being right and becoming angry, paranoid, and freaking out easily when things do not go the way she thinks that they should.

What is Haley Dunphy's personality? ›

Personality… likable and confident, but ditzy. She thinks an oncologist is a person who gives you glasses, and M.I.T. is another word for a baseball glove. But Haley is savvy in her own way, and knows how people tick.

What was Claire's alter ego Modern Family? ›

Phil (Ty Burrell) and Claire (Julie Bowen)'s sexy alter egos Clive Bixby and Juliana are back for more naughty hotel hijinks in the Modern Family episode "Valentine's Day 4: Twisted Sister."

Was Claire pregnant in real life on Modern Family? ›

Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy on Modern Family

Julie Bowen was pregnant with twins while filming Modern Family's pilot. She spent the episode shielding her belly with cereal boxes and loads of laundry.

What was Phil Dunphy alter ego? ›

We open on Phil Dunphy's alter ego, Clive Bixby, turtleneck aficionado, human Wikipedia of pickup lines, and high-end electro-acoustic transducer designer (you have to just go with it — he sweeps you away like that).

Does Claire actually love Phil? ›

Phil. Phil is Claire's husband of 16 years (and now 27 Years old of their own marriage) at the start of the series. Claire tends to refer to Phil as the "kid" she married. As much as they are lovers they are also best friends, Claire and Phil have a very loving romantic and friendly relationship.

Who has ADHD in Modern Family? ›

While Phil demonstrates his ADHD (narrated in voice-over as Alex (Ariel Winter) tries to convince her mother Luke suffers from the condition), Luke surpasses his mother's low expectations and completes the project.

What is Alex Dunphy's diagnosis? ›

When Alex tries to diagnose herself in therapy, I remembered the time I sat in my psychiatrist's office and said to my mother, “Yes, but Mum, I also exhibited echolalia as a child,” which caused my doctor to raise his eyebrows and respond, “Well, that's the first time I've heard that term used by a teenager.”

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