The popular series, “The Conners” has been covering relatable and important topics in every episode. Sara Gilbert and Ames McNamara who both star in the show shared the scoop on all things from the set and more.

Gilbert is well known as the sarcastic yet loveable Darlene Conner on the long-running, hit series “Roseanne,” Gilbert reprised her role as Darlene in the series revival in 2018. She continues in her role as both Darlene and executive producer on ABC’s hit comedy “The Conners.” 

Ames McNamara is a high-schooler from Hoboken, NJ. He has been acting in local musical theater since age 5 and professionally since age 8. He stars as Mark Conner-Healy on The Conners and also voices a lead role in a new animated show for pre-schoolers.

Real Life Daily Struggles

“The Conners” follows the story of America’s favorite family as they face the daily struggles of life. The show brings awareness to everything from parenthood, financial pressures, the pandemic, and more that people can watch and relate to. In the latest episode, the show covers everything from addiction to loss, and the economic inequality in school systems.

When it comes to the importance of these issues Gilbert shared, “I think it’s important to show because I think the, the only way we can change things is to first have some awareness around it and see the problem.”

She continued. “[To] be in touch with the problem and then hopefully be able to take some action. I mean it is really unfortunate and something that I love about our show that we get to address the fact that this is obviously a fictional group that represents a lot of people.”

Gilbert explained the characters are relatable people, “who are very kind, smart, intelligent, funny, good people that cannot break the cycle of poverty, and cannot break through the levels of how unfair things can be in this country.”

The Pandemic & Virtual Learning

“The Conners” brings to the screen the stress caused by the pandemic and virtual learning. McNamara shared advice on the situation. “I think probably my best advice [is] it’s really tough now, but we’ve already lost a year of being able to hang out with friends and family and socialize.”

He continued explaining, “Even though it’s really not ideal at all to be doing school long hours, and then homework on the computer there’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

Sharing that he hopes this won’t be the new normal. “I think that you just have to think the alternative of no school.” McNamara explains without the virtual option would be worse, “limited work is worse, staying engaged and staying online, and still seeing your friends and your teachers, although it’s virtual.”

Dream Guest Stars

With is long running list of episodes the show has seen many guest stars, but both still have hopes on new faces joining an episode.

When asked who McNamara would pick as his dream guest he said, “I think for me, it would have to be someone like Lin-Manual Miranda.”

Explaining, “He’s someone who I think is a really amazingly creative person, and I love Hamilton. I think it would just be so amazing to meet him and maybe get a chance to talk to him and see how he works.”

Gilbert answered sharing that it was so hard for her to narrow it down. “I’m gonna be thinking of a million people.” Sharing that her list includes, “Judi Dench, Octavia Spencer, going for the best. “It’s like, there’s, there are so many. It’s really difficult to say.”

About “The Conners”

“The Conners” follows America’s favorite family as they continue to face the daily struggles of life in Lanford. Dan, Jackie, Darlene, Becky, and D.J. will continue to grapple with parenthood, dating, financial pressures, and aging in working-class America. Through it all – the fights, the coupon cutting, the hand-me-downs, the breakdowns – with love, humor, and perseverance, the family prevails.

The series stars John Goodman as Dan Conner, Laurie Metcalf as Jackie Harris, Sara Gilbert as Darlene Conner, Lecy Goranson as Becky Conner-Healy, Michael Fishman as D.J. Conner, Emma Kenney as Harris Conner-Healy, Ames McNamara as Mark Conner-Healy, Jayden Rey as Mary Conner and Jay R. Ferguson as Ben.

“The Conners” is executive produced by Tom Werner, along with Sara Gilbert, Bruce Helford, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Hernandez. The series is from Werner Entertainment.

Watch “The Conners”

“The Conners” continues to embrace the audience with love, humor, and heart. The importance of family and struggling with life’s highs and lows is addressed in a relatable way in the episodes.

Make sure to watch “The Conners” on WEDNESDAYS (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET) on ABC.

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