This iconic ’90s sitcom could return as an animated series

“Family Matters” was a very popular series, especially during the 1990s with the show being a key part of ABC’s iconic “TGIF” Friday night lineup, which also included hits like “Full House” and “Step by Step.” This block of programming was a massive success with family audiences, and “Family Matters” consistently performed well in its time slot.

The series enjoyed high ratings and millions of viewers throughout its run, particularly in its earlier seasons. For example, its second season (1990-1991) was ranked #15 and drew an average of 26.4 million viewers. The show’s success allowed it to run for nine seasons and produce 215 episodes, making it one of the longest-running live-action sitcoms with a predominantly African American cast.

Even after its initial run, “Family Matters” has remained popular through syndication and streaming services. In fact, in 2020, “Family Matters” saw a massive surge in viewership, with viewers consuming over 11 billion minutes of the show.

Family Matters set for return?

It is not officially confirmed that an animated “Family Matters” series is coming back, but there is an active effort to make it happen. Bryton James, who played Richie Crawford on the original show, has stated that he is working on an animated revival. He has a production company lined up to finance it and claims to have the original cast members on board to voice their characters.

The project is currently “sitting in Warner Bros.’ hands,” according to James, and a source at Warner Bros. Animation has confirmed that they are aware of his interest in the reboot, but it has not moved forward beyond that.

James’s idea is to modernize old episodes and start from scratch for a new generation. He believes an animated format makes sense because of the show’s over-the-top and fantastical storylines, particularly those involving Steve Urkel. The animated approach would also allow the original cast to participate without needing to be in the same location for filming.

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