document_title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

question_text: who plays hermione in harry potter and the cursed child

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

text: Plot[edit]

text: Act 1[edit]

text: In the opening scene, set during the epilogue of Deathly Hallows in the year 2017, Harry Potter and Ginny Potter send their second son, Albus Severus Potter, on the Hogwarts Express to begin his first year at Hogwarts. Harry is now working in a desk job as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement at the Ministry of Magic, while Ginny is the editor of the sports section of The Daily Prophet. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger also send their daughter Rose Granger-Weasley on the train. Hermione is now Minister of Magic, while Ron manages Weasley's Wizard Wheezes in Diagon Alley. Albus makes an unlikely friendship in Scorpius Malfoy, the son of Harry's former nemesis Draco Malfoy and Astoria Malfoy (née  Greengrass). The school is stunned when, in a break with the tradition of Potters being sorted into Gryffindor, Albus is sorted into Slytherin alongside Scorpius.

text: Both boys are bullied by other students over the next few years, Albus due to his perceived failure to live up to his parents, Scorpius due to unproven rumours that he is the son of Lord Voldemort. In addition, Albus and Harry begin to drift apart, owing to Albus's struggles with his father's shadow and Harry's uncertainty on how to deal with his son's issues. Albus also drifts apart from Rose, with whom he was friends before meeting Scorpius and was sorted into Gryffindor. Prior to Albus and Scorpius's fourth year, Albus gets into a fight with his father after he is given Harry's baby blanket and a love potion from Ron. During the fight, Harry accidentally says that he sometimes wishes Albus was not his son, and Albus spills the potion on the blanket.

text: Harry obtains a prototype of a more powerful version of the Time-Turner, built by a Slytherin contemporary of Harry's, Theodore Nott, that allows one to travel back several years into the past and change history. Simultaneously, Harry's scar begins to hurt again, causing him to become concerned that Voldemort may somehow be returning. Amos Diggory, who has become old and is cared for by his niece, Delphi Diggory, asks Harry to use the Time-Turner to prevent the death of his son, Cedric Diggory. After overhearing Harry refuse to help the Diggorys, Albus is inspired to do so himself and convinces Scorpius to help him. The two escape from the Hogwarts Express and the trolley operator, who is revealed to be a monster placed on the train to prevent students from escaping. The two arrive at St. Oswald's Home for Old Witches and Wizards in Yorkshire, where Amos lives, and team up with Delphi to steal the Time-Turner from Hermione's office, in the Ministry of Magic, while disguised with Polyjuice Potion.

text: Act 2[edit]

text: Knowing that Cedric's death was the result of him winning the Triwizard Tournament alongside Harry, the boys use the Time-Turner to travel back to the first challenge of the Triwizard Tournament in 1994 and sabotage Cedric during the tournament's first task in the hope of preventing his victory. Instead, they only succeed in creating an alternate reality in which Ron and Hermione never married, and thus Rose was never born, and Albus was sorted into Gryffindor. Albus discovers that this was because they chose to disguise themselves as Durmstrang students, causing Hermione to become suspicious of Viktor Krum and go to the Yule Ball with Ron instead of Viktor. As a result, Ron never experienced the jealousy fundamental to his relationship with Hermione, fell in love with Padma Patil at the Ball, and eventually became married to her, having a son named Panju. Hermione, in turn, became a frustrated and mean professor at Hogwarts, teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts.

text: At around the same time, Harry's fear increases that Voldemort may return as his scar continues to hurt and as he has Voldemort-related nightmares. After speaking with a portrait of Dumbledore, and being told by centaur Bane that a "dark cloud" is around Albus, he becomes convinced that Scorpius is a threat to Albus and tries to have the boys kept apart at Hogwarts by forcing a reluctant Minerva McGonagall, now Headmistress of Hogwarts, to keep tabs on Albus using the Marauder's Map, threatening to shut down the school otherwise.

text: Albus and Scorpius's friendship is destroyed, but the two eventually reconcile after Albus steals Harry's old Invisibility Cloak from James Sirius (Albus’ older brother), and after McGonagall refuses to enforce Harry's request. Harry himself is persuaded to relent after a conversation with Draco and Ginny. Meanwhile, Albus and Scorpius decide to make another attempt to use the Time-Turner to change Cedric's fate, this time by humiliating him during the Triwizard Tournament's second task. When Scorpius returns to the present day, however, Albus is not with him, and Scorpius finds himself in a reality in which Harry is dead, and Lord Voldemort rules the wizarding world.

text: Act 3[edit]

text: Scorpius discovers that – as a result of his actions – an embittered Cedric joined the Death Eaters and killed Neville Longbottom during the events of Deathly Hallows, preventing him from killing Nagini and allowing Voldemort to win the Battle of Hogwarts. With Harry now dead, Albus subsequently never existed, while Voldemort was able to completely consolidate power and transform the Ministry of Magic into a dictatorial regime. In the new timeline, Scorpius became a popular Head Boy and Quidditch star, helping the staff and students torment Muggle-borns. Dolores Umbridge became the new Headmistress of Hogwarts, and patrols the school with Dementors and a revived Inquisitorial Squad led by Scorpius. Draco Malfoy occupies Harry's old position as the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, using his post to encourage routine attacks on Muggles and bribe the Prime Minister to remain silent on the actions of the Death Eaters.

text: A powerful dark figure called "The Augurey" leads the Ministry of Magic. With help from Ron, Hermione, and Severus Snape, now the final members of a dwindling anti-Voldemort resistance movement, Scorpius is able to use the Time-Turner to prevent the interference of Albus and his past self and restore the events of the original timeline, the alternate Ron, Hermione, and Snape sacrificing themselves to the Dementors in order to allow him to do so. Scorpius reunites with Albus, and the two boys are eventually found by their parents, as well as Ron and Hermione. Following these events, Harry scolds Albus for his actions, but the two nevertheless begin to reconcile.

text: Realising the danger the Time-Turner poses and deciding their parents will continue to keep it (as Hermonie had done in the Ministry of Magic), Scorpius and Albus attempt to destroy it themselves, but they are joined by Delphi Diggory. Scorpius realizes that Delphi was in charge of the Ministry of Magic in the alternate timeline (from her tattoo of the wings of a magical bird, which she says is called an Augurey), and she takes them captive, later revealing her intention of restoring the alternate timeline.

text: After the adults learn Albus and Scorpius were seen disappearing with Delphi, they confront Amos, only to discover Delphi is not his niece, but the daughter of Lord Voldemort and Bellatrix Lestrange. Delphi had placed Amos under a "confundus" charm.  Searching her room, they discover she is following a prophecy that, if fulfilled, would lead to Lord Voldemort's return. Delphi takes the boys to the final challenge of the Triwizard Tournament, but Albus and Scorpius prevent her from acting, and Delphi uses the Time-Turner again to travel further back in time. She inadvertently takes the boys with her and then destroys the Time-Turner to leave them all stranded in time.

text: Act 4[edit]

text: Abandoned by Delphi, Albus and Scorpius discover they have been taken back to the night before Harry's parents were killed at Godric's Hollow (30 October 1981), and assume Delphi is planning to kill Harry before Voldemort attempts to do so (which severely weakens Voldemort). Albus and Scorpius write an invisible message on Harry's baby blanket, knowing in the present (which is now also the night of the anniversary of the death of Harry's parents, when he often looks for his blanket as it is the only physical memento he has), the blanket would become stained with love potion and expose the message to Harry.

text: Meanwhile, Draco reveals the Time-Turner was actually a prototype for a perfected model owned by him (it was made for his father), but they remain unable to rescue the boys due to their uncertainty over which time period they have entered. After Harry receives the message from the boys, he and his allies use Draco's Time-Turner to travel back in time to save them and stop Delphi. While waiting for Delphi, they deduce she intends to convince Voldemort to abandon his doomed attempt to kill Harry, ensuring her father's survival and allowing her to be with him.

text: Harry disguises himself as Voldemort using Transfiguration to distract Delphi, and after a struggle, the group manages to subdue her. Rather than killing Delphi, it is decided that she will be brought to Azkaban Prison. Lord Voldemort then appears and is oblivious to the presence of Harry and the group. The group allows the murder of Harry's parents to play out again, unwilling to risk the consequences of altering the past.

text: They all stand with Harry to watch the sad event replay. After returning to the present day, Delphi is sent to Azkaban. Albus and Scorpius now decide to be more active at Hogwarts, with Scorpius expressing interest in trying out for Quidditch and asking Rose on a date. Harry and Albus visit Cedric's grave, with Harry apologizing for his role in Cedric's death. Albus has also witnessed the death of a fellow student, Craig Bowker Jr. (the only current timeline murder in the play), who tried to intervene when Delphi held Albus and Scorpius captive on the Quidditch pitch.

text: Background[edit]

text: In December 2013, it was revealed that a stage play based on Harry Potter had been in development for around a year,[3] with the view to bringing it to the stage sometime in 2016.[4] At the time of the announcement, Rowling revealed that the play would "explore the previously untold story of Harry's early years as an orphan and outcast".[5] The following May, Rowling began establishing the creative team for the project.[6]

text: On 26 June 2015, the project was officially confirmed under the title of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,[7] and it was revealed it would receive its world premiere in mid-2016 at London's Palace Theatre.[8] The announcement marked the eighteenth anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,[9] published on 26 June 1997.[10]

text: On announcing plans for the project, Rowling stated that the play would not be a prequel.[11] In response to queries regarding the choice of a play rather than a new novel, Rowling has stated that she "is confident that when audiences see the play they will agree that it is the only proper medium for the story".[12] Rowling has also assured audiences that the play will contain an entirely new story and will not be a rehashing of previously explored content.[13] On 24 September 2015, Rowling announced that the play had been split into two parts.[14] The parts are designed to be viewed on the same day or consecutively over two evenings.[15][16]

text: On 23 October 2015, it was confirmed the plays were set nineteen years after the conclusion of the final novel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,[17] and would open at London's Palace Theatre in July 2016.[18] The plays principally follow Harry, now Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and his younger son Albus Severus Potter.[19] As of 22 July 2016, little more had been revealed about the plot even by those who had attended the previews since 7 June.[20]

text: #KeepTheSecrets[edit]

text: The producers and Rowling have maintained a campaign called #KeepTheSecrets to ask people who have seen the play not to reveal its major twists.  The slogan is printed on the tickets for the play and badges with the slogan are handed out for free during intervals. People buying their tickets online are emailed a video after the play from J.K. Rowling asking them to support the campaign.[21]

text: Productions[edit]

text:
Production
Venue/Location
Opening Night
Closing Night
Notes

 London, England
Palace Theatre
July 30, 2016
Currently running
Debut production.

 Broadway
Lyric Theatre
April 16, 2018
Currently running
First production outside of the UK.

 Melbourne
Princess Theatre
January 16, 2019
TBC

 San Francisco
Curran Theatre
Fall 2019
TBC

 Hamburg
Mehr! Theater
Early 2020
TBC
First non-English language production.

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a two-part play, was written by British playwright Jack Thorne based on an original story by Thorne, John Tiffany and Rowling. Some websites were listing all three as authors of the script[22] but by 26 July 2016, the official web site for the play[23] and many others (including the BBC)[24] were listing Thorne as the sole script writer.

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is directed by John Tiffany[25][26] with choreography by Steven Hoggett,[27] set design by Christine Jones,[28] costume design by Katrina Lindsay,[29] lighting design by Neil Austin,[30] music by Imogen Heap,[31] and sound design by Gareth Fry.[32] In addition, special effects were created by Jeremy Chernick,[33] with illusions by Jamie Harrison, and musical supervision by Martin Lowe.[34]

text: West End[edit]

text: Previews at the West End Palace Theatre, London began on 7 June 2016,[2] with the official opening night for both parts on 30 July,[35] and originally booking until 18 September 2016.[36] Tickets went on sale to pre-registered priority bookers on 28 October 2015, with a public sale scheduled to commence on 30 October.[37] In just under 8 hours of priority booking 175,000 tickets were sold for the world premiere production,[38] with the play's booking period extended to January 2017.[39] On commencement of the public sale booking was extended until 30 April 2017,[40] with a further extension issued the same day to 27 May 2017.[41]

text: Tickets for the opening performance were priced from £30 up to £130 for a ticket for both parts,[42] although ticket resale agencies were selling seats for up to £3,000.[38] Ticket resale has been banned by the producers, with tickets no longer valid if sold on.[43] In mid-July 2016, the theatre began holding a ticket lottery at 1 pm each Friday, releasing 40 for sale on their website for “some of the best seats” in the theatre for the lowest price, advertised at £20 per part. For example, the "Friday Forty" tickets sold on 29 July 2016 were for performances on 3, 5, 6, and 7 August.[44]

text: On 20 December 2015, initial casting was announced with Jamie Parker playing Harry Potter, Noma Dumezweni playing Hermione Granger and Paul Thornley playing Ron Weasley.[45][46][47] The casting of the dark-skinned Noma Dumezweni as Hermione sparked fervent discussion, to which Rowling responded that Hermione's skin was never specified as white.[48][49] Further notable casting includes Poppy Miller as Ginny Potter, Alex Price as Draco Malfoy, Sam Clemmett as Albus Severus Potter and Anthony Boyle as Scorpius Malfoy.[50] The production features an overall cast of 42.[51][52]

text: Broadway[edit]

text: The production began previews on 16 March 2018, officially opening on 22 April at the Lyric Theatre. Clemmett, Boyle, Dumezweni, Miller, Parker, Price and Thornley reprised their roles, from the West End.[53][54] The theatre removed 400 seats from the auditorium and moved the entrance to 43rd Street[55]. The production is produced by Sonia Friedman Productions, Sir Colin Callender, and Harry Potter Theatrical Productions. Tickets initially went on sale through Ticketmaster Verified Fan on 18 October 2017, for performances from 16 March through 18 November 2018.[56]  The New York Times estimates that it is the most expensive non-musical Broadway play ever, incurring $68 million in opening costs.[57]

text: Melbourne[edit]

text: On 24 October 2017, the Michael Cassel Group announced that it will be producing the Australian premiere of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. The production will begin performances early 2019 in Melbourne's Princess Theatre.[58] Sale of tickets to the general public is scheduled to commence 6 August 2018.[59]

text: Cast and principal roles[edit]

text:
Character

Original West End Cast[60](2016–2017)

Original Broadway Cast[61](2018)

Harry Potter

Jamie Parker

Ron Weasley

Paul Thornley

Hermione Granger

Noma Dumezweni

Ginny Potter

Poppy Miller

Draco Malfoy

Alex Price

Albus Severus Potter

Sam Clemmett

Scorpius Malfoy

Anthony Boyle

Rose Granger-Weasley

Cherrelle Skeete

Susan Heyward

Young Hermione

Delphi Diggory

Esther Smith

Jessie Fisher

Craig Bowker Jr.

Jeremy Ang Jones

Joshua DeJesus

Moaning Myrtle

Annabel Baldwin

Lauren Nicole Cipoletti

Lily Potter Sr.

Polly Chapman

Claudia Grant

Madeline Weinstein

Vernon Dursley

Paul Bentall

Byron Jennings

Severus Snape

Lord Voldemort

Rubeus Hagrid

Chris Jarman

Brian Abraham

Sorting Hat

Yann Fredericks

James Le Lacheur

Jess Barbagallo

Petunia Dursley

Helena Lymbery

Kathryn Meisle

Madam Hooch

Dolores Umbridge

Amos Diggory

Barry McCarthy

Edward James Hyland

Albus Dumbledore

Trolley Witch

Sandy McDade

Geraldine Hughes

Minerva McGonagall

Cedric Diggory

Tom Milligan

Benjamin Wheelwright

James Sirius Potter

James Potter Sr.

Dudley Dursley

Jack North

Joey LaBrasca

Karl Jenkins

Viktor Krum

Bane

Nuno Silva

David St. Louis

Young Harry Potter

Rudi GoodmanAlfred JonesBili KeoghEwan RutherfordNathaniel SmithDylan Standen

Will CoombsLandon Maas

Lily Luna Potter

Zoe BroughCristina FrayChristiana Hutchings

Olivia BondBrooklyn Shuck

text: West End cast replacements[edit]

text: This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (July 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

text: In May 2017, Jamie Glover took over from Jamie Parker as Harry Potter, while Emma Lowndes will play his wife Ginny Potter. Thomas Aldridge is to play Ron Weasley, replacing Paul Thornley, while Rakie Ayola will play Hermione Granger, replacing Noma Dumezweni. Annabel Baldwin, previously playing Moaning Myrtle will take over from Esther Smith as Delphi.

text: Original cast members Helen Aluko and James Howard play Rose Granger-Weasley and Draco Malfoy respectively. Samuel Blenkin and Theo Ancient made their professional debut, playing Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Potter, respectively.

text: The lead cast are joined by new cast members David Annen, Ruthxjiah Bellenea, Danny Dalton, Leah Haile, Rupert Henderson, Elizabeth Hill, April Hughes, James McGregor, Sarah Miele, Jordan Paris, James Phoon, Henry Rundle, Ged Simmons, Mark Theodore, Gideon Turner and Ed White.

text: Original cast members who will continue include Nicola Alexis, Rosemary Annabella, Phoebe Austen, Annabel Baldwin, Jabez Cheeseman, Morag Cross, Esme Grace, Lowri James, Martin Johnston, Alfred Jones, Barry McCarthy, Sandy McDade, Tom Mackley, Harrison Noble, Ben Roberts, Nuno Silva, Hope Sizer and Joshua Wyatt.

text: The second cast took over on 24 May 2017, with the original cast having their final performance on 21 May 2017.[62]

text: The third cast took over on 23 May 2018.

text: Script publication[edit]

text: Editions[edit]

text:
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Special Rehearsal Edition coverAuthor
Jack Thorne (script)J. K. Rowling, John Tiffany & Jack Thorne (story)Country
United KingdomLanguage
EnglishSeries
Harry PotterGenre
Fantasy, DramaPublished
31 July 2016 (Special Rehearsal Edition)25 July 2017 (Definitive Collector's Edition)Publisher
Little, Brown and Company (UK)Scholastic (US)Pottermore (digital)Publication date
31 July 2016Pages
328 (Special Rehearsal Edition)321 (Definitive Collector's Edition)ISBN
978-1-338-09913-3 (US); 978-0-7515-6535-5 (UK)

text: Both parts of the stage play's script have been released in print and digital formats as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts I & II.[63][64]

text: The first edition, entitled "Special Rehearsal Edition", corresponded to the script used in the preview shows and was scheduled to be published on 31 July 2016,[65] the date of Harry's birthday in the series and Rowling's birthday, as well.[66] Since revisions to the script continued after the book was printed, an edited version was released on 25 July 2017, as the "Definitive Collector's Edition".[67] According to CNN, this was the most preordered book of 2016.[68]

text: Sales[edit]

text: In the United States and Canada, the book sold over 2 million copies in its first two days of release.[69] 847,885 copies were sold during the book's first week of release in the United Kingdom. By June 2017, the book had sold over 4.5 million copies in the United States.[70]

text: Critical reception[edit]

text: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has received critical acclaim. Audiences and critics have complimented the casting and performances, while many debate the quality of the piece and how it compares to entries in the main Harry Potter series.

text: Publications awarding five star ratings included The Independent, the London Evening Standard, The Stage and WhatsOnStage.com.[71][72][73][74] The Telegraph also gave five, although "there are some quibbles," while The Guardian's Michael Billington awarded four stars.[75][76]

text: Anthony Boyle's performance as Scorpius Malfoy garnered particular acclaim. WhatsOnStage.com wrote that "Boyle gives a career-making performance," while The Wall Street Journal described him as "the break-out performance".[74][77] Variety's critic, Matt Trueman, agreed, writing, "it's Boyle who really stands out", and both Trueman and Henry Hitchings, in the Evening Standard, noted that his performance was sure to be a fan favourite.[72][78]

text: Response within the Harry Potter fandom[edit]

text: The response to the play from the Harry Potter fandom was mixed. Some fans said the story seemed "like a work of fan fiction" and claimed that it diverged from previously established rules of the universe, criticising the script's characterisation.[79][80][81] Some also took issue with the style and plot of the script, complaining that the Time-Turner storylines had already been used, as had Cedric Diggory's death, and that the writers were rehashing old storylines.[82][83] These criticisms have led to some of the fandom to reject the play as separate from the Potter canon.[84] Some potential “plot holes” in the story have been highlighted, such as the likelihood of Lord Voldemort's infertility, the speed at which Polyjuice Potion is created, the unexplained non-operation of the Fidelius Charm,[85][86] and Cedric Diggory's dramatic turn to becoming a Death Eater.[87][88]

text: However, some fans responded positively to the play and its characters, with Scorpius Malfoy being particularly popular.[89] Some fans commented that the dialogue between the familiar characters was "spot on",[90] celebrating it as a faithful continuation of the books.[91][92] Others have noted that the play sheds light on some of the relationships between the characters, such as Harry and Dumbledore's.[93] The response had been particularly positive among fans who watched the play on stage.[94]

text: Identity of the "Cursed Child"[edit]

text: The play never explicitly states who the "Cursed Child" is. There are several possible answers, including Delphi, who is cursed by her parentage; Harry himself, whose difficult childhood is the subject of several flashbacks in the play and who must accept and relive the death of his parents to conquer Lord Voldemort; Albus, who at one stage Harry says he wished "was not his son" and can do no right in this father's eyes being "cursed" by the Potter reputation; Scorpius, who is rumoured to be Lord Voldemort's child and whose mother dies during the play; and Cedric Diggory, whose tragic death is a focus of the play, and whose death is also finally accepted as a necessary condition for future peace.[95]

text: Awards and nominations[edit]

text: Original London Production[edit]

text:
Year

Award Ceremony

Category

Nominee

Result

2016

Evening Standard Theatre Awards

Best Play

Won

Best Director

John Tiffany

Nominated

Best Design

Christine Jones

Nominated

Emerging Talent Award

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Critics' Circle Theatre Awards

Best Director

John Tiffany

Won

Best Designer

Christine Jones

Won

Most Promising Newcomer

Anthony Boyle

Won

2017

WhatsOnStage Awards

Best New Play

Won

Best Actor in a Play

Jamie Parker

Won

Best Supporting Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Won

Paul Thornley

Nominated

Best Supporting Actress in a Play

Poppy Miller

Nominated

Noma Dumezweni

Won

Best Direction

John Tiffany

Won

Best Costume Design

Katrina Lindsay

Nominated

Best Set Design

Christine Jones

Won

Best Lighting Design

Neil Austin

Won

Best Video Design

Finn Ross and Ash Woodward

Won

Laurence Olivier Awards

Best New Play

Won

Best Director

John Tiffany

Won

Best Actor

Jamie Parker

Won

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Noma Dumezweni

Won

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Anthony Boyle

Won

Best Costume Design

Katrina Lindsay

Won

Best Set Design

Christine Jones

Won

Best Sound Design

Gareth Fry

Won

Best Lighting Design

Neil Austin

Won

Best Theatre Choreographer

Steven Hoggett

Nominated

Outstanding Achievement in Music

Imogen Heap

Nominated

2018

WhatsOnStage Awards

Best West End Show

Won

Best Show Poster

Won

text: Original Broadway production[edit]

text:
Year

Award

Category

Nominee

Result

Ref.

2018

Tony Awards

Best Play

Won

[96][97]

Best Actor in a Play

Jamie Parker

Nominated

Best Featured Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Best Featured Actress in a Play

Noma Dumezweni

Nominated

Best Direction of a Play

John Tiffany

Won

Best Choreography

Steven Hoggett

Nominated

Best Scenic Design in a Play

Christine Jones

Won

Best Costume Design in a Play

Katrina Lindsay

Won

Best Lighting Design in a Play

Neil Austin

Won

Best Sound Design in a Play

Gareth Fry

Won

Drama Desk Awards

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

[98]

Outstanding Director of a Play

John Tiffany

Won

Outstanding Music in a Play

Imogen Heap

Won

Outstanding Costume Design for a Play

Katrina Lindsay

Nominated

Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play

Neil Austin

Won

Outstanding Projection Design

Finn Ross and Ash Woodward

Won

Outstanding Sound Design in a Play

Gareth Fry

Won

Outstanding Wig and Hair

Carole Hancock

Nominated

Outer Critics Circle Awards

Outstanding New Broadway Play

Won

[99]

Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway)

Imogen Heap

Nominated

Outstanding Director of a Play

John Tiffany

Won

Outstanding Choreographer

Steven Hoggett

Nominated

Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical)

Christine Jones

Won

Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical)

Katrina Lindsay

Nominated

Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical)

Neil Austin

Won

Outstanding Projection Design (Play or Musical)

Finn Ross and Ash Woodward

Won

Outstanding Sound Design (Play or Musical)

Gareth Fry

Won

Drama League Awards

Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play

Won

[100]

Distinguished Performance Award

Anthony Boyle

Nominated

Noma Dumezweni

Nominated


document_title: The House of the Rising Sun

question_text: when did the house of the rising sun come out

root

text: The House of the Rising Sun

text: Origin and early versions[edit]

text: Origin[edit]

text: Like many classic folk ballads, "The House of the Rising Sun" is of uncertain authorship. Musicologists say that it is based on the tradition of broadside ballads, and thematically it has some resemblance to the 16th-century ballad The Unfortunate Rake.[4] According to Alan Lomax, "Rising Sun" was used as the name of a bawdy house in two traditional English songs, and it was also a name for English pubs.[5] He further suggested that the melody might be related to a 17th-century folk song, "Lord Barnard and Little Musgrave", also known as "Matty Groves",[6][7] but a survey by Bertrand Bronson showed no clear relationship between the two songs.[8] Lomax proposed that the location of the house was then relocated from England to New Orleans by white southern performers.[5] However, Vance Randolph proposed an alternative French origin, the "rising sun" referring to the decorative use of the sunburst insignia dating to the time of Louis XIV, which was brought to North America by French immigrants.[8]

tag: p

text: "House of Rising Sun" was said to have been known by miners in 1905.[6] The oldest published version of the lyrics is that printed by Robert Winslow Gordon in 1925, in a column "Old Songs That Men Have Sung" in Adventure Magazine.[9] The lyrics of that version begin:[9][10]

text: There is a house in New Orleans, it's called the Rising Sun

text: It's been the ruin of many a poor girl

text: The oldest known recording of the song, under the title "Rising Sun Blues", is by Appalachian artists Clarence "Tom" Ashley and Gwen Foster, who recorded it for Vocalion Records on September 6, 1933.[6][11] Ashley said he had learned it from his grandfather, Enoch Ashley. Roy Acuff, an "early-day friend and apprentice" of Ashley's, learned it from him and recorded it as "Rising Sun" on November 3, 1938.[6][11] Several older blues recordings of songs with similar titles are unrelated, for example, "Rising Sun Blues" by Ivy Smith (1927) and "The Risin' Sun" by Texas Alexander (1928).[5]

text: The song was among those collected by folklorist Alan Lomax, who, along with his father, was a curator of the Archive of American Folk Song for the Library of Congress. On an expedition with his wife to eastern Kentucky, Lomax set up his recording equipment in Middlesboro, Kentucky, in the house of singer and activist Tilman Cadle. In 1937 he recorded a performance by Georgia Turner, the 16-year-old daughter of a local miner. He called it The Rising Sun Blues.[11] Lomax later recorded a different version sung by Bert Martin and a third sung by Daw Henson, both eastern Kentucky singers. In his 1941 songbook Our Singing Country, Lomax credits the lyrics to Turner,[11] with reference to Martin's version.

text: Early folk and blues releases[edit]

text: This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

tag: table

text: In 1941, Woody Guthrie recorded a version. A recording made in 1947 by Libby Holman and Josh White (who is also credited with having written new words and music that have subsequently been popularized in the versions made by many other later artists) was released by Mercury Records in 1950. White learned the song from a "white hillbilly singer", who might have been Ashley, in North Carolina in 1923–1924.[6] Lead Belly recorded two versions of the song, in February 1944 and in October 1948, called "In New Orleans" and "The House of the Rising Sun", respectively; the latter was recorded in sessions that were later used on the album Lead Belly's Last Sessions (1994, Smithsonian Folkways).

text: In 1957 Glenn Yarbrough recorded the song for Elektra Records. The song is also credited to Ronnie Gilbert on an album by The Weavers released in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Pete Seeger released a version on Folkways Records in 1958, which was re-released by Smithsonian Folkways in 2009.[11] Andy Griffith recorded the song on his 1959 album Andy Griffith Shouts the Blues and Old Timey Songs. In 1960 Miriam Makeba recorded the song on her eponymous RCA album.

text: Joan Baez recorded it in 1960 on her self-titled debut album; she frequently performed the song in concert throughout her career. Nina Simone recorded her first version for the album Nina at the Village Gate in 1962. Tim Hardin sang it on This is Tim Hardin, recorded in 1964 but not released until 1967.[12] The Chambers Brothers recorded a version on Feelin' the Blues, released on Vault records (1970).

text: Van Ronk arrangement[edit]

text: In late 1961, Bob Dylan recorded the song for his debut album, released in March 1962. That release had no songwriting credit, but the liner notes indicate that Dylan learned this version of the song from Dave Van Ronk. In an interview for the documentary No Direction Home, Van Ronk said that he was intending to record the song and that Dylan copied his version. Van Ronk recorded it soon thereafter for the album Just Dave Van Ronk.

text: I had learned it sometime in the 1950s, from a recording by Hally Wood, the Texas singer and collector, who had got it from an Alan Lomax field recording by a Kentucky woman named Georgia Turner. I put a different spin on it by altering the chords and using a bass line that descended in half steps—a common enough progression in jazz, but unusual among folksingers. By the early 1960s, the song had become one of my signature pieces, and I could hardly get off the stage without doing it.[13]

text: The Animals' version[edit]

text:
"The House of the Rising Sun"

Artwork for US release

Single by The Animals

from the album The Animals

B-side
"Talkin' 'bout You"

Released
June 19, 1964 (1964-06-19) (UK)
August 1964 (USA)

Format
7-inch single

Recorded
May 18, 1964

Genre
Folk rock

Length
2:59, 4:29

Label
Columbia Graphophone

Songwriter(s)
Traditional, arranged by Alan Price

Producer(s)
Mickie Most

The Animals singles chronology

"Baby Let Me Take You Home"
(1964)
"The House of the Rising Sun"
(1964)
"I'm Crying"
(1964)

"Baby Let Me Take You Home"
(1964)
"House of the Rising Sun"
(1964)
"I'm Crying"
(1964)

text: An interview with Eric Burdon revealed that he first heard the song in a club in Newcastle, England, where it was sung by the Northumbrian folk singer Johnny Handle. The Animals were on tour with Chuck Berry and chose it because they wanted something distinctive to sing.[14]

text: The Animals' version transposes the narrative of the song from the point of view of a woman led into a life of degradation to that of a man whose father was now a gambler and drunkard, rather than the sweetheart in earlier versions.

text: The Animals had begun featuring their arrangement of "House of the Rising Sun" during a joint concert tour with Chuck Berry, using it as their closing number to differentiate themselves from acts that always closed with straight rockers.[15] It got a tremendous reaction from the audience, convincing initially reluctant producer Mickie Most that it had hit potential,[15] and between tour stops the group went to a small recording studio on Kingsway in London[15] to capture it.

text: Recording and releases[edit]

text: The song was recorded in just one take on May 18, 1964,[16] and it starts with a now-famous electric guitar A minor chord arpeggio by Hilton Valentine.[1][3] According to Valentine, he simply took Dylan's chord sequence and played it as an arpeggio.[17] The performance takes off with Burdon's lead vocal, which has been variously described as "howling,"[2] "soulful,"[18] and as "...deep and gravelly as the north-east English coal town of Newcastle that spawned him."[1] Finally, Alan Price's pulsating organ part (played on a Vox Continental) completes the sound. Burdon later said, "We were looking for a song that would grab people's attention."[19]

text: As recorded, "House of the Rising Sun" ran four and a half minutes, regarded as far too long for a pop single at the time.[16] Producer Most, who initially did not really want to record the song at all,[17] said that on this occasion: "Everything was in the right place ... It only took 15 minutes to make so I can't take much credit for the production"[20]. He was nonetheless now a believer and declared it a single at its full length, saying "We're in a microgroove world now, we will release it."[20]

text: In the United States however, the original single (MGM 13264) was a 2:58 version. The MGM Golden Circle reissue (KGC 179) featured the unedited 4:29 version, although the record label gives the edited playing time of 2:58. The edited version was included on the group's 1964 U.S. debut album The Animals, while the full version was later included on their best-selling 1966 U.S. greatest hits album, The Best of the Animals. However, the very first American release of the full-length version was on a 1965 album of various groups entitled Mickie Most Presents British Go-Go (MGM SE-4306), the cover of which, under the listing of "House of the Rising Sun", described it as the "Original uncut version". Americans could also hear the complete version in the movie Go Go Mania in the spring of 1965.

text: "House of the Rising Sun" was not included on any of the group's British albums, but it was reissued as a single twice in subsequent decades, charting both times, reaching number 25 in 1972 and number 11 in 1982, using the famous Wittlesbach organ.

text: The Animals version was played in 6/8 meter, unlike the 4/4 of most earlier versions. Arranging credit went only to Alan Price. According to Burdon, this was simply because there was insufficient room to name all five band members on the record label, and Alan Price's first name was first alphabetically. However, this meant that only Price received songwriter's royalties for the hit, a fact that has caused bitterness ever since, especially with Valentine.[3][21]

text: Reception[edit]

text: "House of the Rising Sun" was a trans-Atlantic hit: after reaching the top of the UK pop singles chart in July 1964, it topped the U.S. pop singles chart two months later, on September 5, 1964, where it stayed for three weeks,[22] and became the first British Invasion number one unconnected with the Beatles.[23] It was the group's breakthrough hit in both countries and became their signature song.[24] The song was also a hit in a number of other countries, including Ireland, where it reached No. 10 and dropped off the charts one week later.

text: Bob Dylan said he first heard The Animals' version on his car radio and "jumped out of his car seat" because he liked it so much; but he stopped playing the song after the Animals' recording became a hit because fans accused him of plagiarism.[citation needed] Dave Van Ronk said that The Animals' version—like Dylan's version before it—was based on his arrangement of the song.[25]

text: Dave Marsh described the Animals' take on "The House of the Rising Sun" as "...the first folk-rock hit," sounding "...as if they'd connected the ancient tune to a live wire."[2] Writer Ralph McLean of the BBC agreed that "It was arguably the first folk rock tune," calling it "a revolutionary single", after which "the face of modern music was changed forever."[3]

text: The Animals' rendition of the song is recognized as one of the classics of British pop music. Writer Lester Bangs labeled it "a brilliant rearrangement" and "a new standard rendition of an old standard composition."[26] It ranked number 122 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It is also one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". The RIAA ranked it number 240 on their list of "Songs of the Century". In 1999 it received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award. It has long since become a staple of oldies and classic rock radio formats. A 2005 Channel Five poll ranked it as Britain's fourth-favourite number one song.[16]

text: Charts[edit]

text:
Chart (1964)
Peak
position

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[27]
5

Canada Top Singles (RPM)[28]
1

Germany (Official German Charts)[29]
9

Ireland (IRMA)[30]
10

Netherlands (Single Top 100)[31]
5

New Zealand (Listener)[32]
2

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[33]
1

US Billboard Hot 100[34]
1

Chart (1972)
Peak
position

Ireland (IRMA)[30]
5

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[33]
25

Chart (1982)
Peak
position

UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[33]
11

text:
Preceded by
"Where Did Our Love Go" by The Supremes
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single
September 5, 1964 – September 19, 1964
Succeeded by
"Oh, Pretty Woman" by Roy Orbison

Preceded by
"It's Over" by Roy Orbison
UK Singles Chart number-one single
July 9, 1964 – July 15, 1964
Succeeded by
"It's All Over Now" by The Rolling Stones

text: Frijid Pink version[edit]

text:
"House of the Rising Sun"

Artwork for Danish, French and German releases (French pressing pictured)

Single by Frijid Pink

from the album Frijid Pink

B-side
"Drivin' Blues"

Released
March 1970 (1970-03)

Format
7-inch single

Genre
Psychedelic rock

Length
4:44 (album)
3:23 (single)

Label
Parrot Records

Songwriter(s)
Traditional, arranged by Alan Price

Producer(s)
Michael Valvano

Frijid Pink singles chronology

"House of the Rising Sun"
(1970)
"Sing a Song for Freedom"
(1970)

"House of the Rising Sun"
(1970)
"Sing a Song for Freedom"
(1970)

text: In 1969, the Detroit band Frijid Pink recorded a psychedelic version of "House of the Rising Sun", which became an international hit in 1970. Their version is in 4/4 time (like Van Ronk's and most earlier versions, rather than the 6/8 used by the Animals) and was driven by Gary Ray Thompson's distorted guitar with fuzz and wah-wah effects, set against the frenetic drumming of Richard Stevers.[35]

text: According to Stevers, the Frijid Pink recording of "House of the Rising Sun" was done impromptu when there was time left over at a recording session booked for the group at the Tera Shirma Recording Studios. Stevers later played snippets from that session's tracks for Paul Cannon, the music director of Detroit's premier rock radio station, WKNR; the two knew each other, as Cannon was the father of Stevers's girlfriend. Stevers recalled, "we went through the whole thing and [and Cannon] didn't say much. Then 'House [of the Rising Sun]' started up and I immediately turned it off because it wasn't anything I really wanted him to hear." However, Cannon was intrigued and had Stevers play the complete track for him, then advising Stevers, "Tell Parrot [Frijid Pink's label] to drop God Gave Me You [the group's current single] and go with this one."[36]

text: Frijid Pink's "House of the Rising Sun" debuted at #29 on the WKNR hit parade dated January 6, 1970 and broke nationally after some seven weeks—during which the track was re-serviced to radio three times—with a number 73 debut on the Hot 100 in Billboard dated February 27, 1970 (number 97 Canada 1970/01/31) with a subsequent three-week ascent to the Top 30 en route to a Hot 100 peak of number 7 on April 4, 1970. The certification of the Frijid Pink single "House of the Rising Sun" as a gold record for domestic sales of one million units was reported in the issue of Billboard dated May 30, 1970.

text: The Frijid Pink single of "House of the Rising Sun" would give the song its most widespread international success, with Top Ten status reached in Austria (number 3), Belgium (Flemish region, number 6), Canada (number 3), Denmark (number 3), Germany (two weeks at number 1), Greece, Ireland (number 7), Israel (number 4), the Netherlands (number 3), Norway (seven weeks at number 1), Poland (number 2), Sweden (number 6), Switzerland (number 2), and the UK (number 4). The single also charted in Australia (number 14), France (number 36), and Italy (number 54).

text: Sales and certifications[edit]

text:
Region
Certification
Certified units/Sales

United States (RIAA)[37]
Gold
1,000,000^

text: Billboard Country Chart[edit]

text: The song has twice been a hit record on Billboard's country chart.

text: Jody Miller version[edit]

text: In 1973, Jody Miller's version reached number 29 on the country charts and number 41 on the adult contemporary chart.

text: Geordie version[edit]

text: Recorded by Brian Johnson's band 'Geordie' for their 1974 album "Don't Be Fooled By The Name", Johnson went on to become vocalist for AC/DC.

text: Thin Lizzy instrumental version[edit]

text: The song was recorded as an electric but fairly mellow instrumental on the Deep Purple tribute album recorded by Thin Lizzy circa 1972, Funky Junction Play a Tribute to Deep Purple. Here it was simply called Rising Sun, and credited to Leo Muller (producer), the German businessman and label-owner.

text: Dolly Parton version[edit]

text:
"The House of the Rising Sun"

Artwork for German release

Single by Dolly Parton

from the album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

B-side
"Workin' Girl"

Released
September 1981 (1981-09)

Format
7-inch single

Recorded
November 1980

Genre
Country pop

Length
4:02

Label
RCA

Songwriter(s)
Traditional

Producer(s)
Mike Post

Dolly Parton singles chronology

"But You Know I Love You"
(1981)
"The House of the Rising Sun"
(1981)
"Single Women"
(1982)

"But You Know I Love You"
(1981)
"House of the Rising Sun"
(1981)
"Single Women"
(1982)

text: In September 1981, Dolly Parton released a cover of the song as the third single from her album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs. Like Miller's earlier country hit, Parton's remake returns the song to its original lyric of being about a fallen woman. The Parton version makes it quite blunt, with a few new lyric lines that were written by Parton. Parton's remake reached number 14 on the U.S. country singles chart and crossed over to the pop charts, where it reached number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100; it also reached number 30 on the U.S. adult contemporary chart. Parton has occasionally performed the song live, including on her 1987–88 television show, in an episode taped in New Orleans.

text: Five Finger Death Punch version[edit]

text:
"House of the Rising Sun"

Single by Five Finger Death Punch

from the album The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2

Released
February 3, 2014 (2014-02-03)

Recorded
November 2013

Genre
Folk metal

Length
4:07

Label
Prospect Park

Songwriter(s)
Traditional

Five Finger Death Punch singles chronology

"Battle Born"
(2013)
"House of the Rising Sun"
(2014)
"Mama Said Knock You Out"
(2014)

"Battle Born"
(2013)
"House of the Rising Sun"
(2014)
"Mama Said Knock You Out"
(2014)

text: This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

text: The American heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch released a cover of "House of the Rising Sun" on their fifth studio album, The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 2, which was later released as the album's second single and the band's third single of the Wrong Side era. The references to New Orleans have been changed to Sin City, a reference to the negative effects of gambling in Las Vegas. The song was a top ten hit on mainstream rock radio in the United States. It also in the video game Guitar Hero Live.

text: Johnny Hallyday version (in French)[edit]

text:
"Le Pénitencier"

Single by Johnny Hallyday

from the album 'Le Pénitencier'

Released
October 1964 (1964-10) (France)

Format
7-inch single, 25-cm LP

Recorded
September 1964

Label
Philips

Songwriter(s)
Hugues Aufray / Vline Buggy, Alan Price

Producer(s)
Lee Hallyday

Johnny Hallyday singles chronology

"Les Mauvais garçons"
(1964)
"Le Pénitencier"
(1964)
"Un ami ça n'a pas de prix"
(1965)

"Les Mauvais garçons"
(1964)
"Le Pénitencier"
(1964)
"Un ami ça n'a pas de prix"
(1965)

Music video

"Le Pénitencier" (Live on French TV, 1966)
"Le Pénitencier" (Live at the Théâtre de Paris, 2013)
on YouTube

text: The song was covered in French by Johnny Hallyday. His version (titled "Le Pénitencier") was released in October 1964 and spent one week at no. 1 on the singles sales chart in France (from October 17 to 23).[38] In Wallonia (French Belgium) his single spent 28 weeks on the chart, also peaking at number 1.[39]

text: He performed the song during his 2014 USA tour.[40]

text: Charts[edit]

text:
Chart (1964)
Peak
position

Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[41]
1

France (singles sales)[38]
1

text: Possible real locations[edit]

text: Various places in New Orleans have been proposed as the inspiration for the song, with varying plausibility. The phrase "House of the Rising Sun" is often understood as a euphemism for a brothel, but it is not known whether or not the house described in the lyrics was an actual or a fictitious place. One theory is that the song is about a woman who killed her father, an alcoholic gambler who had beaten his wife. Therefore, the House of the Rising Sun may be a jailhouse, from which one would be the first person to see the sun rise (an idea supported by the lyric mentioning "a ball and chain," though that phrase has been slang for marital relationships for at least as long as the song has been in print). Because women often sang the song, another theory is that the House of the Rising Sun was where prostitutes were detained while treated for syphilis. Since cures with mercury were ineffective, going back was very unlikely.[7][14]

text: Only three candidates that use the name Rising Sun have historical evidence—from old city directories and newspapers. The first was a small, short-lived hotel on Conti Street in the French Quarter in the 1820s. It burned down in 1822. An excavation and document search in early 2005 found evidence that supported this claim, including an advertisement with language that may have euphemistically indicated prostitution. Archaeologists found an unusually large number of pots of rouge and cosmetics at the site.[42][43]

text: The second possibility was a "Rising Sun Hall" listed in late 19th-century city directories on what is now Cherokee Street, at the riverfront in the uptown Carrollton neighborhood, which seems to have been a building owned and used for meetings of a Social Aid and Pleasure Club, commonly rented out for dances and functions. It also is no longer extant. Definite links to gambling or prostitution (if any) are undocumented for either of these buildings.

text: A third was "The Rising Sun", which advertised in several local newspapers in the 1860s, located on what is now the lake side of the 100 block of Decatur Street.[44] In various advertisements it is described as a "Restaurant," a "Lager Beer Salon," and a "Coffee House." At the time, New Orleans businesses listed as coffee houses often also sold alcoholic beverages.

text: Dave Van Ronk claimed in his biography "The Mayor of MacDougal Street" that at one time when he was in New Orleans someone approached him with a number of old photos of the city from the turn of the century. Among them "was a picture of a forbidding stone doorway with a carving on the lintel of a stylized rising sun... It was the Orleans Parish women's prison."[45]

text: Bizarre New Orleans, a guidebook on New Orleans, asserts that the real house was at 1614 Esplanade Avenue between 1862 and 1874 and was said to have been named after its madam, Marianne LeSoleil Levant, whose surname means "the rising sun" in French.[14]

text: Another guidebook, Offbeat New Orleans, asserts that the real House of the Rising Sun was at 826–830 St. Louis St. between 1862 and 1874, also purportedly named for Marianne LeSoleil Levant. The building still stands, and Eric Burdon, after visiting at the behest of the owner, said, "The house was talking to me." [46]

text: There is a contemporary B&B called the House of the Rising Sun, decorated in brothel style. The owners are fans of the song, but there is no connection with the original place.[46][47]

text: Not everyone believes that the house actually existed. Pamela D. Arceneaux, a research librarian at the Williams Research Center in New Orleans, is quoted as saying:

text: I have made a study of the history of prostitution in New Orleans and have often confronted the perennial question, "Where is the House of the Rising Sun?" without finding a satisfactory answer. Although it is generally assumed that the singer is referring to a brothel, there is actually nothing in the lyrics that indicate that the "house" is a brothel. Many knowledgeable persons have conjectured that a better case can be made for either a gambling hall or a prison; however, to paraphrase Freud: sometimes lyrics are just lyrics.[7]


document_title: List of The Middle characters

question_text: who plays frankie heck's dad on the middle

question_tokens: who plays frankie heck 's dad on the middle

text: List of The Middle characters

text: Main characters[edit]

text:
Patricia Heaton as Frances "Frankie" Heck (née Spence), wife of Mike and mother of Axl, Sue, and Brick. Frankie is the central character in the show, as her voice is heard narrating at various points in every episode. She is a devoted wife and mother and sees family as the most important thing in her life. Her motto, "You do for family," guides her daily routine, despite the frustrations she encounters with her husband and three kids, as well as her older ailing relatives who often depend on her. Frankie attended college but did not finish. When the family goes on a trip, she always forgets "the blue bag" which has the food in it. She worked as a salesperson at Ehlert Motors, a job she took after losing her position as a dentist's receptionist when the office closed, only to lose her job at Ehlert Motors early in season 4. She completes dental assisting school, and gets a new job at a dentist's office near the end of season 4. Heaton wore a wig for seasons 1–4; from season 5 on, her real hair has been featured.
Neil Flynn as Michael "Mike" Heck Jr., Frankie's husband, known for his straightforward manner and lack of emotion. Mike works at the local limestone quarry as the manager. He reached his 20-year work anniversary at the quarry in the season 5 episode "The Award". Despite his no-nonsense approach to work and family, Mike is a devoted and understanding husband and father who always seems to come through for Frankie and the kids. It has been said on several occasions that Mike's favorite film is Reservoir Dogs and that he only asked Frankie out on a second date because she lied and said she also liked the film. Mike's reclusive, emotionally distant father, "Big Mike" (John Cullum), and Mike's well-meaning but unreliable brother Rusty (Norm Macdonald) both live in Orson. It is revealed in Season 8's "Clear and Present Danger" that Mike's mother died of lung cancer at age 42, and his father made him do his homework and go to school the next day instead of allowing Mike time to mourn. Mike loves all sports but is particularly passionate about seeing the Indianapolis Colts play in the Super Bowl. He and Rusty start a business in season 7, designing disposable diapers with sports team logos on them and naming their creations "Li’l Rivals."
Charlie McDermott as Axl Redford Heck, the oldest son of Frankie and Mike and who cannot be bothered to wear more than boxer shorts most of the time at home. As the elder brother, he is sarcastic, lazy, narcissistic, and selfish to his siblings. However, he has shown flashes of kindness to his family occasionally and is good at heart, which he shows when he deliberately loses a basketball game in an attempt to win back his ex-girlfriend, Morgan. He is frustrating to Frankie, who wishes he would be more open with her, as he was apparently a very loving "momma's boy" when he was a child, something Frankie seems to want to re-capture. Axl is much more popular and socially outgoing than his siblings, but is not as scholarly as they are. He plays the electric guitar, and it's presumed that he was named after Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose. It is revealed in season 3 that Axl is two years older than Sue as he starts his junior year at high school while Sue starts her freshman year. Mike has said that Axl is his favorite child. He has gone to prom twice with Weird Ashley (Katlin Mastandrea), an outcast at his school, both times accidentally inviting her. Axl gets another girlfriend in season 4 named Cassidy, who tutors him after Sue runs over his foot and breaks it while learning to drive. Axl and Cassidy later break up in "Hallelujah Hoedown". As a running back on his high school football team, he was recruited by a Division II state college in Indiana. After being a star player in high school, Axl was a bench warmer in college, causing him to take his pursuit of a business degree a bit more seriously. At the end of season 8, he begins dating Sue's roommate Lexie and graduates from college with a bachelor's degree in business. Between seasons 8 and 9, he travelled in Europe with Kenny to promote Kenny's upcoming apps. After briefly working as a bus driver and at Spudsy's early in season 9, Axl gets his first professional job as a sales rep for a plumbing fixture company in the episode "The 200th".
Eden Sher as Sue Sue Heck, socially awkward middle daughter of Frankie and Mike whose genuine nature, bubbly personality, and persistent sunny optimism tend to make her an object of ridicule, especially by her older brother. Despite her best efforts, she is usually unrecognized by teachers and other students, and snubbed by her peers. Her best friends are Carly and Brad. She looks up to reverend Tim-Tom. When she doesn't know something she goes to kickingitteenstyle.com. Many of her plot lines involve her being overlooked, or trying to organize parties or events and receiving no help. In season 1, she is not pictured in the yearbook despite having her picture taken three times, and she finds her favorite teacher has no memory of her at all. (She is eventually placed in the yearbook, but in the section reserved for students who died, with the caption reading: "In Loving Memory of Sue Heck, Gone Too Soon.") She wears braces on her teeth, which were briefly removed in season 3, but it was determined that they over-corrected her condition. She had them removed at the beginning of season 6, needing only a retainer. She is also left-handed, apparently the only southpaw in her immediate family. She is two years behind Axl in school, graduating high school in the season 6 finale. She is known for trying out for almost everything but never actually getting picked, because she is always terrible. When she is lying she says "and so on and so forth and what have you". In season 2, she joins the no-cut cross country team by heroically going around the track five times on crutches because she was hit by a deer the day before. She becomes a "wrestlerette" in season 3 (which turns out to be a group of fellow misfits) and dates a wrestler named Matt for a short time. In season 4, she dates Axl's friend Darrin. She is engaged to Darrin for three days in season 6, before deciding she doesn't want to get married yet and ending their relationship. This marks a rare moment where Sue is not a pushover, explaining her situation to Darrin in an intelligent, articulate, and socially mature manner. The season 3 episode "Leap Year" reveals she was a leap day baby, but then she had her 16th birthday the following season (season 4, episode 17, "Wheels of Pain"). She gets accepted to the same college Axl is attending. He didn't want her to go, but Mike and Frankie tell him it isn't his decision, and Sue does later accept the offer to attend the college. In season 9, she is a junior in college and is majoring in hotel management.
Atticus Shaffer as Brick Heck, youngest of Mike and Frankie's children. He loves to read and has a case of palilalia, which is demonstrated by his repeating words from previous sentences to himself in a whisper. In season 1 episode 5, it is revealed that he possesses an eidetic memory. He is smarter than most teenagers, having read Of Mice and Men, a book his elder brother is struggling with at the same time. He also loves the Planet Nowhere book series, which is native to the show, and the real-life Percy Jackson & the Olympians. He has referred to Diary of a Wimpy Kid as "the book that changed my life." He is exceptionally intelligent but easily distracted, leading him to procrastinate on doing his homework assignments and projects (it is loosely implied that he may perhaps have Asperger's syndrome). Brick is a known gephyrophobiac and is fascinated with fonts. Due to his awkwardness, he struggles to make friends. In season 2, he befriends an equally awkward boy named Arlo, whom even Brick struggles to deal with. He is five years behind Sue in school, starting the eighth grade in the seventh season. In season 2 Episode 7, it is revealed that he was accidentally switched at birth with another baby due to Mike watching a football game and taking home a child that the nurse brought up next to Brick, and he spent a month with that child's family while the other baby was with the Hecks. While Sue gets overlooked by classmates and teachers, Brick is constantly overlooked by his own family. Frankie and Mike have forgotten his birthday multiple times. In Season 8, Brick makes it into the National Honor Society, a first for a Heck family member, but his parents did not know until Nancy Donahue told them. He has a girlfriend named Cindy. In Season 9, Brick is a Sophomore at Orson High School.

tag: ul

text: Recurring characters[edit]

text:
Actor
Character
Seasons

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Brock Ciarlelli
Brad Bottig
Recurring

Jen Ray
Nancy Donahue
Recurring

Beau Wirick
Sean Donahue
Recurring

Malcolm Foster Smith
Dave
Recurring

John Gammon
Darrin McGrew
Recurring

Blaine Saunders
Carly
Recurring
Guest

Jeanette Miller
Edie Freehold
Recurring

Brian Doyle-Murray
Mr. Elhert
Recurring
Guest
Recurring
Guest

Guest

Troy Metcalf
Jim
Recurring
Guest
Recurring

Peter Breitmayer
Peter Miller
Recurring
Guest

Frances Bay
Ginny Freehold
Recurring

Andrew J. Fishman
Zach
Recurring
Guest
Recurirng
Guest

Krista Braun
Mrs. Tompkins
Recurring
Guest

Alexa Vega
Morgan
Recurring

Paul Hipp
Reverend Tim-Tom
Guest
Recurring
Guest
Recurring
Guest

Guest

Marsha Mason
Pat Spence
Guest
Recurirng
Guest
Recurring

John Cullum
Michael Heck Sr.
Guest
Recurring
Guest

Guest

Pat Finn
Bill Norwood

Recurring

Recurring
Guest
Recurring

Julie Brown
Paula Norwood

Recurring

Guest

Recurring

Greg Cipes
Chuck

Guest
Guest
Guest

Nick Safer
Arlo

Recurring

Katlin Mastandrea
Ashley Wyman

Guest
Recurring
Guest

Recurring

Norm Macdonald
Rusty Heck

Guest
Recurring
Guest

Sean O'Bryan
Ron Donahue

Guest
Recurring

Guest

Recurring

Jerry Van Dyke
Tag Spence

Guest
Recurirng

Grace Bannon
Ruth

Recurring
Guest
Recurring

Jessica Marie Garcia
Becky

Recurring
Guest

Brittany Ross
Courtney

Recurring
Guest

Guest

Natalie Lander
Debbie

Recurring
Guest

Guest

Christopher Darga
Mr. Farrar

Recurring
Guest

Moises Arias
Matt

Recurring
Guest

Jack McBrayer
Dr. Ted Goodwin

Recurring

Recurring
Guest

Galadriel Stineman
Cassidy Finch

Recurring

Guest

Dave Foley
Dr. Fulton

Recurring
Guest

Guest

French Stewart
Principal Cameron

Recurring

Guest

Guest

Tommy Bechtold
Kenny

Recurring

Alphonso McAuley
Hutch

Recurring
Guest

Brooke Dillman
Tink Babbit

Guest
Recurring
Guest

Casey Burke
Cindy

Recurring

Gia Mantegna
Devin Levin

Recurring
Guest

David Hull
Logan

Guest
Recurring

Jovan Armand
Troy

Recurring

Daniela Bobadilla
Lexie Brooks[2]

Recurring

Will Green
Jeremy

Recurring

Keaton Savage
Tyler

Guest
Recurring

Greer Grammer
April

Recurring

Lisa Rinna
Tammy Brooks

Guest

text: Extended family[edit]

text:
Edie and Ginny Freehold (Jeanette Miller and Frances Bay, introduced in Season 1) are Frankie's elderly aunts who are heavy smokers and drinkers. Aunt Edie used to work in Mike's quarry as the bookkeeper, often showing signs of memory loss. One such occasion is when they went to a funeral for Edie and Ginny's brother, and Aunt Edie thought it was her birthday. Aunt Ginny uses a wheelchair and rarely talks. They have a sickly Basset Hound named Doris. On many occasions, Frankie is forced to care for Doris unexpectedly; on one such occasion, Doris gave birth to puppies. In the season 3 episode "The Map", which premiered in early 2012, Aunt Ginny dies. (The actress who portrayed her, Frances Bay, had died in real life.) Brick's elderly friend, Grandma Dot, then moves in with Edie to take care of her. In the early 2015 episode, "Hecks on a Train", Aunt Edie has just died (actress Jeanette Miller had retired from acting) and the Hecks are left to care for Doris.
Michael "Big Mike" Heck Sr. (John Cullum, introduced in Season 1) is Mike's reclusive, man-of-few-words father, who is a widower. He appears to be an unloving, uncaring parent, but this is primarily because he simply does not want to be a "bother" for either of his sons. He is also depicted as a hoarder. In Season 6, Big Mike and Axl fixed the Hecks’ kitchen sink, which was a rare bonding experience for the two of them.
Orville "Rusty" Heck (Norm Macdonald, introduced in Season 2) is Mike's unreliable, silly brother. He often makes up excuses why he can't be anywhere or do anything Mike asks him to do. He once took Brick out of school to bowl and to teach him how to drive, even though he was not old enough or ready. It is revealed in the season 3 finale that his real first name is Orville. In the season 3 finale the Hecks get an invitation to his wedding but it says the wedding is happening at their house. Rusty marries a woman called Marlene, but in season 5 when Marlene invites herself to Thanksgiving at the Hecks' house, Rusty tells them that they got a divorce because she slept with his best friend. Rusty appears later in season 5 and is homeless (again). He ends up moving in with the Hecks, and accompanies Mike and Brick to Brick's spelling bee in Chicago, where Rusty makes a deal with Brick to lose, allowing Rusty to win some money on a bet he made. In Season 7, Rusty comes up with a business idea that Mike shockingly thinks might work, and the two start a side business together.
Pat Spence (Marsha Mason, introduced in Season 1) is Frankie's mother. Pat appeared at least once in all of the first seven seasons. Her first appearance was in season 1 episode 22 ("Mother's Day"). Her latest appearance was in the season 9 episode "The Setup".
Tag Spence (Jerry Van Dyke, introduced in Season 2) is Frankie's father. Tag is a schmoozer and always talks to Mike endlessly, which Mike finds very uncomfortable and annoying. In season 4 Tag calls Mike to meet up at a Stuckey's restaurant, to have man-to-man chats every Sunday. After a couple of meetings, Mike decides he just can't possibly stand to do it any longer, so he suggests that Tag should try chatting with people on Facebook. Tag's latest appearance was in season 6, episode 21 ("Two of a Kind"). The episode reveals a longstanding feud between Tag and his brother Dutch (played by Jerry Van Dyke's real-life brother Dick Van Dyke), which is mostly fueled by Tag's jealousy, and Mike and Frankie end up trying to resolve it.

text: Co-workers[edit]

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Bob Weaver (Chris Kattan, introduced in Season 1) is Frankie's co-worker and friend at Ehlert Motors. He is depicted as a lonely, insecure man who lives with his mother and doesn't seem to have any friends. Thus, he tends to insert himself into the Hecks' family life whenever he can. Bob was credited as a main character in the first two seasons, but the role was significantly reduced after Frankie was fired from Ehlert Motors. He was a recurring character in Season 3, and has since made two other appearances (the most recent in Season 5, when Frankie rushes out to her dental office job but accidentally goes to Ehlert Motors). Bob and Mike once moonlighted together delivering Little Betty snack cakes to stores.
Don Ehlert (Brian Doyle-Murray, introduced in Season 1) is the racist and misogynistic owner of the car dealership where Frankie used to work, and where Bob presumably still works. Frankie and Bob constantly worry that he is going to fire them. Ehlert's wife left him when he chose work over her, and Frankie was first sympathetic but later turned angry. He often drinks at work. Elhert, like Mike, likes sports. As with Bob, appearances by the Mr. Ehlert character were significantly reduced after Frankie was fired from Ehlert Motors.
Pete Miller (Peter Breitmayer, introduced in Season 1) is Ehlert Motors' best salesman and star employee, and he is not afraid to tell everyone about it. Pete often brags about his success at Frankie’s and Bob's expense, putting them down about how little they contribute to the business while developing a "teacher's pet" relationship with Mr. Ehlert.
Dave (Malcolm Foster Smith, introduced in Season 1) is an employee at the quarry Mike manages. He has appeared in at least two episodes every season.
Jim (Troy Metcalf, introduced in Season 1) is an employee at the quarry Mike manages. He has appeared in at least one episode every season.
Chuck (Greg Cipes, introduced in Season 2) is a younger employee at the quarry Mike manages. He once babysat for Brick, giving him questionable advice on a school project. He often speaks in the third person, referring to himself as "The Chuck".
Dr. Ted Goodwin (Jack McBrayer, introduced in Season 4) is the dentist who hires Frankie as a hygienist in season 4. He has few friends, and Frankie is forced to spend time with him after work in "The Jump" (season 5).[3] Ted's dental office is bought out by the conglomerate Smile Sensations in Season 7, and Frankie does not like the changes.
Edwin (Jimmy Bellinger, introduced in Season 5) is the young manager at Spudsy's, where Sue has worked steadily since season 5.

text: Neighbors[edit]

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Sean Donahue (Beau Wirick, introduced in Season 1) is one of Axl's best friends, teammate on the high school football team, and neighbor Nancy Donahue's only son. He is helpful, polite, and friendly, which makes him outwardly the opposite of Axl; that said, he always supports everything Axl does. In season 2, Sue develops a crush on Sean, but eventually ends the one-way relationship. In season 5, Sean came back from college to take Sue to prom upon learning that she had no date, but by the time he arrived, Sue had made plans to go with Darrin. Similarly, he often makes the several hour drive home from Notre Dame (at the request of his mother) to help the Hecks whenever there is a crisis, only to find the crisis resolved by the time he gets there. It was revealed in the Season 7 episode "Hecks at a Movie" that his and Axl's respective first kisses were inadvertently with one another in a dark closet, something they have vowed to never speak of again. Also in Season 7, Sean has taken on a "hippie" persona and has become a vegetarian (much to Nancy's embarrassment). By Season 8, Sean has reverted by to a more clean-cut look. The events of Season 8 reveal that Sean and Sue have a mutual affection, but neither person is yet aware of the other's feelings. In the Season 9 episode, The Christmas Miracle, Sue and Sean are talking when the eventually realize they both have feelings for each other and kiss.
Nancy Donahue (Jen Ray, introduced in Season 1) is the Hecks' neighbor and president of the booster club. The Donahues (Nancy, her husband Ron, their son Sean, and two daughters) are portrayed as the idyllic family Frankie yearns to be like. From Season 5, Episode 4 ("The 100th"), Nancy and Frankie's friendship has waned a little, mainly because Nancy overheard Mike and Frankie talking about her. In Season 7, Episode 18 ("A Very Donahue Vacation") Nancy's daughter, Shelly hears Frankie talking about Nancy and tells her. However, Nancy forgives Frankie and they remain good friends.
Ron Donahue (Sean O'Bryan, introduced in Season 2) is Nancy's husband and Sean's father, who appears to be very involved in his kids' lives.
Rita Glossner (Brooke Shields, introduced in Season 1) is the Hecks' uncouth and troubled neighbor. She is the single parent of three rambunctious boys, as she had kicked the boys' father out of the house some years ago. The Glossners appear to be the only family on the block that is worse off financially than the Hecks. Rita often shows her disdain for the Hecks' higher status, even calling Frankie a "one-percenter" in the Season 7 episode, "Halloween VI: Tick Tock Death". The Season 8 episode "Trip and Fall" reveals that Rita has a fourth son, Rodney, her oldest child who has just made her a grandmother.
Derrick Glossner (David Chandler), Wade Glossner (Parker Bolek), and "Diaper" Glossner (Gibson Bobby Sjobeck) (all introduced in Season 1) make up the dreaded Glossner boys, Rita's children. They are neighborhood bullies who used to terrorize Sue and Brick. In the first season, Sue and Carly attempt to fight the two older Glossner boys via a dance routine set to "Kung Fu Fighting". In the fifth season, Derrick reveals he has a crush on Sue and unexpectedly kisses her multiple times. Despite describing her as a "rich girl" with "one dad and two different kinds of chips" (and thus out of his league), he vows to better himself and come back for her someday.
Paula Norwood (Julie Brown, introduced in Season 2) is another of the Hecks' neighbors. She serves as somewhat of a counterpoint to the idyllic Nancy Donahue in that her life and family (including husband Bill) is depicted as being similar to Frankie's, having a lot of the same issues.
Bill Norwood (Pat Finn, introduced in Season 2) is the Hecks' neighbor and Paula’s husband who frequently embarrasses her. Bill tends to try too hard to convince Mike he's his friend, to the point of buying Mike expensive sunglasses for Christmas, even though the two had never agreed to exchange gifts. Bill reveals in the Season 9 episode "The 200th" that he and Paula are separated.
Dierdre Peterson (Emily Rutherfurd, introduced in Season 7) is the Hecks' new next-door neighbor. She has three rambunctious, noisy children, plus a new baby.

text: Friends and classmates[edit]

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Darrin McGrew (John Gammon, introduced in season 1) is Axl's other best friend (along with Sean Donahue) and teammate. Darrin is the most passive and simple of Axl's friends, often landing himself, Sean, and Axl in problematic situations. In season 3, he takes Sue to the prom because of her "sunny disposition" and explained to Axl that he (Darrin) just wanted to go with someone and dance. In season 4, Darrin takes Sue to a Valentine's Day dance after her date cancels; and when tidying up in the hall after the dance they share a kiss. Later Darrin confides that he wants to continue dating Sue, which angers Axl. However, near the end of season 4, Sue breaks up with him after he accidentally punched her in the face while she was trying to break up a fight between him and Axl. After high school, Darrin enrolls in a heating and air conditioning repair school. In season 5, Sue feels like the breakup was a mistake and realizes that they only broke up because Axl was being so weird about it. With Axl having gone off to college, Sue gains a renewed interest in Darrin until she sees that he has a new girlfriend (Angel). Darrin later decides that his current girlfriend is too high-maintenance and he brings flowers to Sue, only to see her being kissed by Derrick Glossner. Despite a series of misunderstandings, the two ultimately reconnect at Sue's prom in season 5, and become a couple again. He proposes to Sue in the 6th season, and under pressure, she accepts. (In this episode, you see Darrin's mom for the first time and Darrin's last name is revealed to be McGrew, after Axl jokes that Sue's married name would be Sue Sue McGrew.) After realizing she doesn't want to be married yet, Sue breaks off the engagement with him three days later. Darrin has not appeared since that episode.
Carly (Blaine Saunders, introduced in Season 1) is Sue's best female friend. She began in season 1 as a geeky character, wearing glasses and braces. Her braces were removed mid-season 1, and she became more popular as a result. Sue seems to be jealous, if only subconsciously, and wears makeup which her family finds garish. From season 2 onwards, Carly has reverted to a more geeky look. After making multiple appearances in Seasons 1–4, Carly only made one appearance in Season 5 (Episode 14, "The Award") and one appearance in Season 6 (Episode 11, "A Quarry Story").
Zack (Andrew J. Fishman, introduced in Season 1) is Brick's friend from the socially challenged class. He has a tendency to behave like a cat, meowing and wearing oven mitts. Zack has not appeared in the show since Season 4.
Arlo (Nick Shafer, introduced in Season 2) is a friend Brick meets during the second season. He has an obsession with keeping everything on a schedule and takes frequent and lengthy bathroom breaks in the episode "Mother's Day II" when he is accompanying the Hecks to Brown County. He does not show up in the third or fourth season, although in "Year of the Hecks", he is mentioned.
Ashley "Weird Ashley" Wyman (Katlin Mastandrea, introduced in Season 2) is Axl's weird classmate who has twice been his accidental date to prom. She is also on Sue's wrestlerette team. She has a keen interest in wizards, although she has never heard of Harry Potter. At their third prom together, Ashley is not Axl's date but dances with him when he's announced as prom king, as Axl and his date Cassidy had broken up only a few moments before the announcement. Axl is known to have a hatred towards her as he still regrets sending a text message about going to a prom with her. In season 5, Ashley invites Sue to hang with her at prom, as they are both there without dates, while Frankie's voice-over chides: "It wouldn't be prom if a Heck wasn't accompanied by Weird Ashley." In season 6, Ashley appears in Axl's dorm building out of nowhere, announcing she has transferred to East Indiana State because of their hotel management program. She tells Devin Levin that Axl was her boyfriend, which Axl of course vehemently denies. During an encounter with Axl in Season 8 ("Exes and Ohhhs"), Ashley gets angry with him because he never officially said that he had no romantic interest in her, leading her to believe there was always a chance.
Ruth (Grace Bannon, introduced in Season 3) is a member of Sue's wrestlerette team, depicted as an extreme religious conservative, often referencing "the rapture". Unlike the other wrestlerettes, Ruth wears an ankle-length skirt.
Becky (Jessica Marie Garcia, introduced in Season 3) is a rough-and-tumble member of Sue's wrestlerette team.
Charles "Hutch" Hutchinson (Alphonso McAuley, introduced in Season 5) is Axl's football teammate, best friend, and eventual roommate at college. Like Axl, Hutch does not get much playing time on the East Indiana State football team. In the Season 9 episode, Eyes Wide Open, Axl visits Hutch at his new place in Chicago and finds that Hutch has turned into a responsible adult.
Kenny (Tommy Bechtold, introduced in Season 5) is Axl's college roommate who does nothing but play World of Warcraft. He is mostly shown from behind as he sits at his computer. His face was shown briefly at the end of the season 5 episode "The Kiss". In an episode of season 6 ("The Table") Axl and Hutch move out of the dorm and into a rental house, but realize they can't afford it on their own. They look up Kenny and invite him to be their roommate, too, as he apparently is reliable in paying bills and rent. Kenny speaks on-screen for the first time (and his face is shown again) in the Season 7 episode "Halloween VI: Tick Tock Death". The Season 8 episode "Pitch Imperfect" reveals that Kenny has developed some apps in between playing games, and has a fairly substantial net worth.
Cindy (Casey Burke, introduced in Season 6) is a classmate of Brick's who becomes his pseudo-girlfriend in season 6. Though she stands taller than Brick, she seems as quirky as he is. She always wears a safari hat, her facial expression shows no emotion, and, since she finds Brick's missing shoe in her first appearance, it is heavily implied that the character is named for Cinderella. Cindy is very brief and direct in her communication. She has stated in multiple episodes that her favorite food is shrimp. Cindy's flaky parents are introduced in the season 7 episode "Crushed", when they ask the Hecks for a significant loan to save their house from foreclosure. The Hecks aren't able to help, forcing Cindy's family to move in with her grandparents. This seemingly ends her relationship with Brick, until it is shown that her grandparents live only a block away. It's implied in the season 7 episode "Halloween VII" that Brick and Cindy eventually marry and start a family. In Season 8's "The Final Final", Brick is elated to learn that Cindy's doctor told her she has likely stopped growing. Cindy and Brick briefly break up early in season 9, but are back together as of the episode "The 200th".
Troy (Jovan Armand, introduced in Season 7) is Brick's large classmate who initially protects him from school bullies, then later becomes his friend.
Lexie Brooks (Daniela Bobadilla, introduced in season 7) is Sue's college classmate who, like Sue, fails to get accepted by any sororities at the school. She later becomes Sue's dorm mate and friend. She loves horses, and her family is rich. In the Season 8 episode "Hoosier Maid", Lexie realizes she likes Axl, after denying his implications for several weeks. Because Axl is with April, she doesn't act on her feelings. However, after one date with Sean Donahue, Lexie tells Sue she thinks she wants more of a "bad boy". She ultimately reveals to Sue that she really really likes Axl in the Season 8 episode "Swing and a Miss". Axl returns her feelings by kissing her in "The Par-Tay." They date in secret in "The Confirmation" and then by the end of the episode, their relationship is public knowledge. In "The Final Final", they're shown to be happily together.

text: Axl's love interests[edit]

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Morgan (Alexa Vega, introduced in Season 1) is Axl's first girlfriend on the series, whom Frankie takes an instant liking to due to her straight-A grades and talent in multiple areas. However, after she breaks Axl's heart more than once, Frankie eventually explodes with anger and throws a beanbag at Morgan during a birthday party.
Courtney and Debbie (Brittany Ross and Natalie Lander, introduced in Season 3) are airheaded, think-alike cheerleaders in Axl and Sue's high school who date Axl as one. Because the two are inseparable, Axl struggles to figure out which one is his real girlfriend and which one is just hanging out with the other. He makes a calculated guess that Courtney is his girlfriend and kisses her, which causes both girls to slap him and break up with him. They perpetually overlook Sue, often thinking she is a new exchange student, and later calling her a freshman during her senior year. In Season 7, it is revealed that Courtney and Debbie are assistant cheerleading coaches at Orson High, and that they no longer like each other.
Cassidy Finch (Galadriel Stineman, introduced in Season 4) is Axl's girlfriend in his senior year of high school. She met Axl when he was trying to boost his grades and needed a tutor. They didn't get along very well in their first session, but then Axl kissed her and soon found out she had a boyfriend. She later broke up with her old boyfriend to be with Axl. Late in season 4, Cassidy's ex-boyfriend returns, putting tension between Axl and Cassidy for a while before they come back together. They break up in the episode "Hallelujah Hoedown", after Cassidy reveals she is going away in three weeks for an internship program and that they will be in different colleges come September. They begin speaking again in "The Award" (season 5), after Cassidy leaves an embarrassing message on Axl's voicemail. After a brief reconnection during spring break, Cassidy breaks up with Axl again, saying it isn't fair to either of them to pursue a relationship while being 800 miles apart.
Devin Levin (Gia Mantegna, introduced in Season 6) is a relative of Frankie's hairdresser who was only an acquaintance of Axl's in the past. In season 6, he notices how she has blossomed and that they share many interests, and they begin dating. The two briefly break up when Devin notices that Axl still has her listed as "Uggo from Idaho" in his cell phone contacts, but they get back together later on. Early in Season 7, they break up again, each agreeing they should see other people during their college years.
April (Greer Grammer, introduced in Season 8) is Axl's love interest, whom he meets offscreen between Seasons 7 and 8. April is beautiful and sweet, but not very smart. Frankie immediately tells Axl he can do better, causing a rift between mother and son. Mike initially likes April, but later has a conversation with Axl in which he calls her "dumb as a box of hammers". Defiant, Axl marries April in a civil service. After both sets of parents find out, the marriage is annulled. Axl briefly continues to date his ex-wife, but later breaks up with April in order to pursue Lexie.
Lexie Brooks[4] (Daniela Bobadilla, introduced in Season 7) is Sue's best friend at college who is also now Axl's girlfriend.

text: Sue's love interests[edit]

text:
Brad Bottig (Brock Ciarlelli, introduced in Season 1) is Sue's flamboyant, theater-loving, tap dancing and slightly camp ex-boyfriend, who is on the high school wrestling team. They date during Thanksgiving (Season 1), but soon break up. Mike and Frankie assume the breakup was the result of Sue learning that Brad is gay, but Sue claims it’s because she found out Brad has a smoking habit. Brad and Sue have remained good friends despite their breakup, and she remains seemingly unaware of his obvious, if stereotypical, homosexual behavior. From Season 5 onwards, Brad seems to be Sue's closest friend. In Season 7, Brad prepares to tell Sue a secret (in which he is about to come out as gay), to which she responds that she knows, and she shows him love and support. In Season 8, Brad transfers to East Indiana State, saying he felt dwarfed as a student at NYU.
Matt (Moisés Arias, introduced in Season 3) is a boy on the wrestling team at Orson High who likes Sue; he becomes Sue's first real boyfriend but eventually ends the relationship after moving away and falling for another girl. In season 4, Matt asks Sue to the school Valentine's Day dance because he broke up with his girlfriend Sherrie. He later calls Sue at the last minute to say that he and Sherrie got back together, and he is no longer taking her to the dance. This paves the way for Darrin to swoop in and save the day for Sue.
Darrin McGrew
Logan (David Hull, introduced in Season 6) is a guy from another high school who works as a shirtless model in the Abercrombie store at the same mall where Sue works. He asks Sue to her prom after seeing her depressed over breaking up with Darrin, and later reveals that he likes her. The two later try to connect during a chance encounter at East Indiana State, but Sue had taken Brick along that day and he gets lost. Finally, Logan and Sue meet at a movie theater, where Logan says he is majoring in Religious Studies and plans to be a priest, disappointing Sue.
Jeremy (Will Green, introduced in Season 7) is a hardcore environmentalist and anti-capitalist whom Sue first meets when he is chained to a tree on campus. The two briefly date, but Sue breaks up with Jeremy early in Season 8.
Tyler (Keaton Savage, introduced in Season 7) is the boy who drives the safe ride cart on the East Indiana State campus. He becomes Sue's brief love interest in Season 8, until she spends most of their first date talking about Sean Donahue.
Sean Donahue has a crush on Sue, but Sue doesn't know. Sue has a crush on Sean, but Sean doesn't know. In the Season 9 episode "The Christmas Miracle", the two finally kiss.

text: School staff[edit]

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Mrs. Tompkins (Krista Braun, introduced in Season 1) is Brick's social skills mentor and guidance counselor.
Mr. Farrar (Christopher Darga, introduced in Season 3) is a teacher at Orson High.
Dr. Fulton (Dave Foley, introduced in Season 4) is the school therapist. He is an odd character who helps Brick bond with his peers and try to fit in more at school. An insecure man himself, Dr. Fulton is obsessed with his ex-wife Shelly, whom he mentions nearly every time Brick talks to him for "help". In Season 8, he tells Brick he is dating a 68-year-old woman named Barbara, whom he prefers to call "Shelly".
Principal Cameron (French Stewart, introduced in Season 4) is the principal at Orson High.
Coach Tink Babbitt (Brooke Dillman, introduced in Season 5) is a physical education teacher and detention monitor at Orson High. In the Season 8 episode "Swing and a Miss", Mike hires Tink as a part-time assistant at the quarry, solely for the purpose of making her eligible to play on the quarry's softball team.

text: Miscellaneous characters[edit]

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Reverend Timothy "Tim-Tom" Thomas (Paul Hipp, introduced in Season 1), is a youth minister at the Hecks' church whom Sue deeply admires. He surprised Sue by remembering her name after only having met her once, and always seems to appear just when Sue needs help the most. He is known for frequently playing his acoustic guitar and making almost anything into a song. He plays guitar with Axl on one occasion when encouraging him to do the right thing. In season 5, Reverend Tim-Tom gets a girlfriend (Reverend Tammy, played by Casey Wilson). Sue takes a disliking to Tammy and isn't sure how to tell Reverend Tim-Tom, but Sue changes her mind about Tammy after the two talk.
Reverend Hager (Dierk Torsek, introduced in Season 1) is the pastor at the Hecks' church.

text: Notable guest stars[edit]

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Amy Sedaris as Abby Michaels (Season 1)
Betty White as Mrs. Nethercott (Season 1)
Doris Roberts as Mrs. Rinsky (Season 2)
Ray Romano as Nicky Kohlbrenner (Season 3)
Ed Asner as Ben (Season 3)
Richard Gant as Pastor Watkins (Season 3)
Whoopi Goldberg as Ms. Jane Marsh (Season 3)
David Koechner as Jeff Webber (Season 4)
Carolyn Hennesy as Connie McDonald (Season 4)
Marion Ross as Ms. Dunlap (Season 4)
Rachel Dratch as Principal Barker (Season 5)
Keegan-Michael Key as Reverend Deveaux (Season 5)
Casey Wilson as Reverend Tammy (Season 5)
Nicole Sullivan as Vicki (Season 5)
Mindy Cohn as Kimberly (Season 5)
Richard Kind as Dr. Niller (Season 6)
Kirstie Alley as Pam Staggs (Season 6)
Dick Van Dyke as Paul "Dutch" Spence (Season 6)
Faith Ford as Sheila (Season 7)
Cheryl Hines as Dr. Sommer Samuelson (Season 7)
Josh Cooke as Nick Grant (Season 7)
Alan Ruck as Jack Kershaw (Season 7)
Monica Horan as Anna Ferguson (Season 8)
Alan Rachins as Mort (Season 8)
Lisa Rinna as Tammy Brooks (Season 9)
Gregory Harrison as Bennett Brooks (Season 9)