The Ultimate Conners Cast Guide: Discover Where Your Favorite ABC Roseanne Stars Shine Outside the Spinoff

Summary

Rewritten

The Conners: A Fulfilling Continuation of Roseanne's Legacy

John Goodman's performance as Dan Conner in both Roseanne and The Conners has solidified his position as a household name, garnering him numerous awards. Furthermore, the talented cast of The Conners, including Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, and Michael Fishman, have been with the show since its inception and consistently deliver exceptional and unforgettable performances.

The Conners premiered on ABC in 2018, serving as a direct continuation of Roseanne. Following a series of controversies, Roseanne Barr was fired, yet the rest of the cast remained intact for the spinoff. Despite skepticism, the show achieved significant success, lasting for six additional seasons before announcing its conclusion. In The Conners, Roseanne's character is killed off via a prescription drug overdose, allowing the focus to shift towards her spouse and children coping with her untimely passing.

The majority of the original cast members, including John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, and Sara Gilbert, returned for The Conners. Alongside familiar faces, new actors were introduced to portray the progression of this family since the original show aired in the 1990s. The forthcoming season will wrap up the story, providing closure to a narrative that has spanned over 30 years. Hopefully, the conclusion will honor the beloved characters that have resonated with the show's dedicated fanbase.

John Goodman as Dan Conner

John Goodman portrays the character of Dan Conner in the television series The Conners. Dan is a central figure in both Roseanne and The Conners, serving as the husband of the late Roseanne and the father of their family. Throughout The Conners, Dan faces challenges in securing employment, but remains dedicated to supporting his loved ones. Goodman, originally from Missouri, has garnered numerous accolades throughout his extensive career as an actor. He initially gained recognition at the Public Theater before achieving stardom as Dan in Roseanne in 1988.

Leveraging his popularity from Roseanne, Goodman has successfully ventured into other notable projects, earning him widespread recognition beyond The Conners. He collaborated with the renowned Coen Brothers, appearing in several of their acclaimed films such as Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski, and O Brother, Where Art Thou? Additionally, his portrayal of Dan Conner in Roseanne earned him seven Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award. Notable films in which he has appeared include Arachnophobia, Blues Brothers 2000, Monsters, Inc., and Transformers: The Last Knight.

Katey Sagal as Louise Conner

Katey Sagal portrays the character Louise Conner in the TV series "The Conners". After the death of Roseanne, Louise made guest appearances in the first two seasons and later became a recurring character in the third season. She is a former classmate of Dan and Jackie who reenters their lives on the show. Eventually, Louise and Dan develop a romantic relationship and get married on "The Conners". Sagal is an actress from Los Angeles who initially began her career in the music industry before transitioning to television, starring in the show "Mary" alongside Mary Tyler Moore.

However, many fans associate Katey Sagal with two iconic roles. She gained widespread recognition for her breakthrough performance as Peggy Bundy in "Married... with Children" from 1987 to 1997, which earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Sagal's next notable television role was as matriarch Gemma Teller Morrow in the motorcycle club drama "Sons of Anarchy". She has also appeared in shows such as "Rebel", "Shameless", and "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter". Additionally, fans may recognize her distinctive voice as Leela in the animated series "Futurama".

Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris-Goldufski

Laurie Metcalf has joined The Conners cast as Jackie Harris-Goldufski, Roseanne's sister. Following Roseanne's death, Jackie chose to stay and support Dan and her family. Known for her quirky and funny nature, Jackie has always been a beloved member of The Conners. Hailing from Illinois, Metcalf began her career in theater before making her breakthrough on Saturday Night Live. This led to her iconic role in Roseanne, where she received three Emmy Awards.

Continuing her success after Roseanne, Metcalf took on notable roles in Norm, Easy Money, and The Big Bang Theory, where she portrayed Sheldon Cooper's mother. Additionally, she earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her exceptional performance in Lady Bird. Metcalf has also showcased her talent in Uncle Buck, JFK, Scream 2, Stop-Loss, and as the voice of Andy's mother in the Toy Story movies.

Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner-Olinsky

Sara Gilbert brings life to the character of Darlene Conner-Olinsky in the cast of The Conners. Darlene, the second daughter of Dan and Roseanne, has been a part of the show since Roseanne, and has grown up before our eyes. Known for her cynicism, sarcasm, and sharp intellect, Darlene also finds success as a writer and forms a romantic relationship with her editor, Ben, in The Conners. Gilbert, a talented actor from California, began her career on Roseanne at the young age of 13, a role that has garnered her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.

In addition to her role on Roseanne and its spin-off The Conners, Gilbert is also recognized for her work as a co-host on the daytime talk show The Talk. Fans may also remember her from her appearance in The Big Bang Theory as Leslie Winkle, one of Leonard's close friends.

Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy

Lecy Goranson portrays Becky Conner-Healy in The Conners. She portrays the oldest daughter of Dan and Roseanne, and her character is often portrayed as self-centered and frustrated with her life circumstances. Throughout The Conners, she grapples with depression and ultimately develops an addiction to alcohol. Goranson, an actor from Illinois, initially gained recognition for her role as Becky in Roseanne for five seasons. However, her pursuit of higher education prompted Roseanne to replace her with Sarah Chalke.

In the eighth season, Goranson returned to the show, replacing Chalke and has continued to portray Becky in The Connors cast. Goranson's acting career outside of this franchise has been relatively limited. Notably, she appeared in the 1991 film Boys Don't Cry, which was a significant milestone in her movie career. She has also made guest appearances on shows such as Sex and the City, Law & Order: SVU, and Damages.

Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner

Michael Fishman, known for his role as D.J. Conner, has joined the cast of The Conners. D.J. Conner is the youngest and only son of Dan and Roseanne, initially known for his troublesome behavior as a child. However, as an adult, he has transformed into a quiet and dedicated father to his daughter Mary. After the fourth season, D.J. Conner departed from the show.

Having started his acting career at the age of 6 on Roseanne, Fishman hails from Los Angeles. He portrayed the character until the age of 15 and has now returned to The Conners. Apart from his work on Roseanne and The Conners, Fishman has also appeared in notable films such as A.I. Artificial Intelligence and Undrafted. Additionally, he has made appearances on TV shows including Seinfeld, Walker, Texas Ranger, and The Roseanne Show.

Emma Kenney as Harris Conner-Healy

Emma Kenney stars as Harris Conner-Healey in the popular television show, The Conners. In the series, she portrays Darlene's oldest daughter, who possesses a sarcastic and spoiled demeanor, much like her mother. Despite this, Harris holds strong resentment towards her family and has always longed to live with her father instead.

Before landing her role on The Conners, Kenney gained recognition as a talented New York-based actor. Starting off with made-for-TV movies as a child, she eventually rose to prominence through her standout performance as Debbie Gallagher on Shameless, a role she portrayed for an impressive 134 episodes until the series' conclusion. In addition to her remarkable television work, Kenney has also made appearances on Boardwalk Empire and has acted in notable films such as Robert the Bruce and Epic.

Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy

Ames McNamara's portrayal of Mark Conner-Healy in The Conners has been widely praised. Mark, the second-oldest child of Darlene, exhibits a remarkable level of sensitivity and fragility compared to his older sister. In the second season, Mark bravely came out as gay to his family, receiving an outpouring of love and acceptance from everyone, although Dan took a little longer to fully embrace his son's truth. Mark's character stands as a shining example of positive LGBTQ+ representation on The Conners, making it his most significant role to date.

Jayden Rey as Mary Conner

Jayden Rey has joined the cast of The Conners, taking on the role of Mary Conner.​​​​​​​ Mary happens to be D.J. Conner's daughter with Geena, although she primarily resides with her extended family due to D.J.'s demanding work schedule and her mother's involvement in the military. She possesses a gentle disposition and holds a deep fondness for animals. As for Rey, she hails from New York and has previously appeared in notable productions such as Unforgettable and Bobcat Moretti.

Maya Lynne Robinson as Geena Williams-Conner

Maya Lynne Robinson portrays Geena Williams-Conner in the cast of The Conners. Geena is D.J.'s spouse, actively serving as a soldier, which often requires her to be away from her family for extended periods. While she initially held a significant role in the first season, she later transitioned into a guest character in the third season. However, in The Conners, she realizes that she has missed out on too much of her daughter's childhood, leading her to strive to make amends. Robinson, an actress from Cleveland, gained prominence primarily through her work in The Conners. Nevertheless, she has also assumed a lead role in The Unicorn and made recurring appearances in Grand Crew.

Jay R. Ferguson as Ben Olinsky

Jay R. Ferguson portrays Ben Olinsky, the character of The Conners. Ben is an ex-boyfriend of Darlene and was entangled in a love triangle with her and David Healy. Starting his acting career as a teenager, Ferguson gained recognition for his portrayal of Ponyboy Curtis in a television adaptation of The Outsiders. This achievement paved the way for numerous television appearances, including Evening Shade, Glory Days, Judging Amy, Sleeper Cell, and Easy Money. In 2010, he secured one of his most significant roles as Stan Rizzo in Mad Men. Following this, he joined the cast of the Real O'Neals before landing a role in The Conners. In addition to his television work, Ferguson has also appeared in films such as The Lucky One, The Killer Inside Me, and Higher Learning.

The Conners Supporting Cast

James Pickens Jr. stars as Chuck Mitchell, Dan's close friend and business partner, in The Conners. Previously appearing in the original Roseanne, Pickens continues to be a valued member of the cast. Hailing from Cleveland, Pickens has also showcased his talents in Another World, The X-Files, The West Wing, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Rene Rosado portrays Emilio Rodriguez in The Conners. Emilio is the father of Becky's daughter, Beverly Rose. While he married Becky to regain entry into the United States after deportation, they have since divorced. However, Emilio remains an important figure in Beverly's life. Rosado is recognized for his role as Gus Wallace in Major Crimes.

Estelle Parsons portrays Beverly Harris in The Conners, the mother of Roseanne and Jackie. Throughout the series, Beverly has faced various health issues but has maintained her sharp wit and sense of humor. Parsons, a seasoned actor, initially gained fame in Broadway and later transitioned to the film industry. In 1967, she earned an Oscar for her portrayal of Blanche Barrow in Bonnie and Clyde.

Johnny Galecki joins the cast of The Conners as David Healy, Darlene's former spouse and the father of their two children. While he carried over from the original Roseanne, his character in The Conners has lost the trust of Darlene and their kids, as he has proved unreliable. Galecki is widely recognized for his role as Leonard in The Big Bang Theory. Additionally, he has appeared in movies such as Christmas Vacation and Rings.

Alexandra Billings portrays the character Robin in the cast of The Conners. Robin formerly held the position of supervisor at Wellman Plastics and served as Darlene's mentor on the show. As a transgender actress, Billings has also been seen in other productions such as Romy and Michele: In the Beginning and Transparent.

Nat Faxon takes on the role of Neville Goldufski in The Conners. Neville is Louise's younger brother and works as a veterinarian. Eventually, he marries Jackie. Faxon, who hails from Boston, began his career in the comedy troupe The Groundlings. He later went on to star in comedy films including Orange County, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, and Bad Teacher. Faxon has also held prominent roles in television shows such as Loot and Mulligan.

Brian Austin Green joins the cast of The Conners as Jeff, a co-worker of Darlene's. He is best known for his breakout role as David Silver on the hit series Beverly Hills 90210. Green has also appeared on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and in the TV adaptation of Anger Management.

Andrew Leeds plays Nick, Darlene's boyfriend, in the fourth season of The Conners. Leeds began his acting career as an understudy on Broadway at the age of eight. He has made appearances on various television shows such as Dirt, Bones, NCIS: Los Angeles, A Million Little Things, Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist, and Barry.

William H. Macy portrays the character of Smitty on The Conners. Smitty is a former boyfriend of Roseanne and was a high school crush of Jackie. Macy is widely recognized for his portrayal of Frank Gallagher on Shameless, a role that earned him six consecutive Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Additionally, he received an Oscar nomination for his performance in the acclaimed film Fargo.