Right from the start of its current season, whispers were swirling that the writers of Modern Family were planning to bid farewell to one of the characters in a dramatic way. Now, as it turns out, the rumored departure wasn't exactly what fans had anticipated. Instead, the show decided to give a send-off to a recurring character—someone who graced the screen in seven episodes over its ten-season run. So, who exactly got the axe on Modern Family? Let’s dive into it.

Heads up: Spoilers ahead!

In the poignant episode titled “Good Grief,” which unfolds on Halloween, viewers learn that DeDe Pritchett, portrayed by the talented Shelley Long, has passed away. DeDe, as fans well know, is the ex-wife of Jay Pritchett, played by Ed O’Neill, and the mother of both Claire Dunphy, played by Julie Bowen, and Mitchell Pritchett, portrayed by Jesse Tyler Ferguson. Her death adds a layer of complexity and emotion to the storyline.

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The Emotional Rollercoaster: How the Characters React

Death, no matter how it happens, is always a heavy topic. In this episode, what stands out is how each character handles the news. While some genuinely mourn the loss, others find themselves struggling to summon the appropriate emotions. They search their memories for touching moments, only to find them clouded by the complexities of their relationship with DeDe. This creates an intriguing mix of heartfelt grief and awkward attempts at finding closure, making the episode a truly emotional journey.

Why Did the Writers Choose This Path?

Curious minds want to know: why did the creators of Modern Family decide to take this route? According to series co-creator Steve Levitan, the idea was born early in the season's planning stages. "We gather [with the writers] at the beginning of the season and brainstorm about the big story arcs and milestones we want to tackle," Levitan explained to The Hollywood Reporter. He went on to say, "It dawned on us that death is a major part of the family experience, and while Phil (played by Ty Burrell) had lost his mother in a previous episode, we’d never shown the entire family dealing with such a profound loss. It felt like an opportunity we couldn’t pass up."

modern-family-shelley-long — (Photo by Peter “Hopper” Stone/ABC via Getty Images)

Adding Depth to the Story

Expanding on the decision with Entertainment Weekly, Levitan further explained, "At this point in the series, we're always looking for new and challenging ways to develop our characters. When people have complicated relationships with someone, and then that person dies, it stirs up all sorts of emotions. This idea came up during our brainstorming sessions, and we thought it would be a compelling direction to take. There will be another episode later on that explores the aftermath of this loss."

Levitan continued, "Choosing DeDe seemed natural because her passing directly impacts three of our main characters. It also served as a fitting farewell to Shelley Long and her incredible portrayal of the character. The decision to set it on Halloween came from my personal love of blending serious moments with comedic ones. We always do Halloween episodes, and they've become a cherished part of the series. Given that Halloween inherently deals with themes of death and the supernatural, it felt strangely fitting to tackle this storyline during the holiday."

Modern Family is currently airing its 10th season, and while there’s no official word yet, fans are eagerly waiting to hear if there will be an 11th season.