Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series)
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| Brothers & Sisters | |
_(Small).jpg) |
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| Format | Family Drama - Dramedy |
|---|---|
| Created by | Jon Robin Baitz |
| Starring | Season 3 cast: Dave Annable Sally Field Calista Flockhart Balthazar Getty Rachel Griffiths Rob Lowe Luke Macfarlane Sarah Jane Morris Ron Rifkin Matthew Rhys Emily VanCamp Patricia Wettig Maxwell Perry Cotton Kerris Lilla Dorsey |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of seasons | 4 |
| No. of episodes | 63 (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Jon Robin Baitz, Greg Berlanti, Ken Olin, Mark Perry (2007), Monica Owusu-Breen, Alison Schapker and Molly Newman (2008-) |
| Running time | 42/43 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ABC |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV), 720p (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV) (7HD) |
| Original run | September 24, 2006 – present |
| External links | |
| Official website | |
Brothers & Sisters is an American dramatic television series which centers on the upper class Walker family and their lives in Los Angeles, California.
It premiered on ABC on September 24, 2006 after Desperate Housewives and airs Sundays. The current acting ensemble includes Sally Field, Rachel Griffiths, Calista Flockhart, Balthazar Getty, Matthew Rhys, Dave Annable, Luke Grimes, Ron Rifkin, Rob Lowe, Luke MacFarlane, Emily VanCamp, Patricia Wettig and Tom Skerritt. Sally Field won the 2007 Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Nora Walker. Rachel Griffiths was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
The show was renewed for a fourth season on April 23, 2009.[1]
Contents |
[edit] Characters
[edit] The Walker family
- Nora Walker, matriarch of the Walker Family and a stay-at-home mother; widow to deceased husband William Walker.
- Sarah Walker, a working mother, President of Ojai Foods and former CEO of Greenotopia; ex-wife to Joe Whedon.
- Kitty McCallister, a writer and former radio host, talk back presenter and communications director; married to Robert McCallister.
- Tommy Walker, father and Former President of Ojai Foods; ex-husband to Julia Walker.
- Kevin Walker, the communications director for Senator McCallister and former corporate lawyer; married to Scotty Wandell.
- Justin Walker, a current medical student, war veteran in Afghanistan and Iraq and former drug addict; engaged to Rebecca Harper.
- Ryan Lafferty, the Walkers' newly discovered half-brother.
[edit] Extended family and friends
- Saul Holden, Former CFO at Ojai Foods; brother of Nora Walker.
- Robert McCallister, a United States Senator; married to Kitty Walker.
- Scotty Wandell, a Head Chef; married to Kevin Walker.
- Rebecca Harper, daughter of Holly Harper; currently working at Ojai foods as their advertising executive; engaged to Justin Walker.
- Holly Harper, is Chairwoman and CEO of Ojai Foods; ex-lover of William Walker; mother of Rebecca Harper.
[edit] Recurring and former characters
- William Walker, deceased, founder and owner of Ojai Foods, was husband to Nora Walker and father to Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin Walker, and Ryan Lafferty. The actor Tom Skerritt has reprised his role in several flashbacks related to events after 9/11/2001 and to the mother of his son, Ryan.
- Joseph "Joe" Whedon, a music teacher. He is the ex-husband of Sarah Walker. He and Sarah have two children, Paige and Cooper.
- Julia Walker, a teacher; ex-wife to Tommy Walker, with one daughter, Elizabeth (whose twin brother, William, died shortly after birth).
- Jason McCallister, a gay minister and brother of Robert McCallister; former boyfriend of Kevin Walker.
- David Caplan, director/photographer, father of Rebecca Harper.
[edit] Cast members
[edit] Cast
| Actor | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Dave Annable | Justin Walker | Season 1 - |
| Sally Field | Nora Walker | Season 1 - |
| Calista Flockhart | Katherine "Kitty" Walker McCallister | Season 1 - |
| Balthazar Getty | Thomas "Tommy" Walker | Season 1 - 3 |
| Rachel Griffiths | Sarah Walker | Season 1 - |
| Rob Lowe | Robert McCallister | Season 2 - (Season 1; recurring) |
| Luke Macfarlane | Scotty Wandell | Season 3 - (Season 1-2; recurring) |
| Sarah Jane Morris | Julia Walker | Season 1 - 3 |
| Ron Rifkin | Saul Holden | Season 1 - |
| Matthew Rhys | Kevin Walker | Season 1 - |
| Emily VanCamp | Rebecca Harper | Season 1 - |
| Patricia Wettig | Holly Harper | Season 1 - |
| Maxwell Perry Cotton | Cooper Whedon | Season 2 - (Season 1; recurring) |
| Kerris Lilla Dorsey | Paige Whedon | Season 1 - |
[edit] Recurring or former
| Actor | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Grimes | Ryan Lafferty | Season 3 |
| Matt Letscher | Alec | Season 3 |
| John Glover | Henry | Season 3 |
| Will McCormack | Ethan Tavis | Season 3 |
| Eric Christian Olsen | Kyle DeWitt | Season 3 |
| Nigel Havers | Roger Grant | Season 3 |
| Ken Olin | David Caplan | Season 2, 3 |
| Steven Weber | Graham Finch | Season 2, 3 |
| Jason Lewis | Chad Barry | Season 1, 3 |
| Danny Glover | Isaac Marshall | Season 2 |
| Emily Rose | Lena Branigan | Season 2 |
| John Pyper-Ferguson | Joseph "Joe" Whedon | Season 2 (Season 1; starring) |
| Tom Skerritt | William Walker | Season 1, 2, 3 |
| Eric Winter | Jason McCallister | Season 1, 2 |
| Justine Dorsey | Sophie McCallister | Season 1, 2, 3 |
| Max Burkholder | Jack McCallister | Season 1, 2, 3 |
| Tyler Posey | Gabe Whedon | Season 1 |
| Treat Williams | David Morton | Season 1 |
[edit] Notable guest stars
- Danny Glover
- Chevy Chase
- Lyle Lovett
- Steven Weber
- Treat Williams
- Jason Lewis
- Marion Ross
- Susan Sullivan
- Jenna Elfman
- Margot Kidder
- Peter Coyote
- Megan Follows
- Dave Foley
- Matt Letscher
- Cristian de la Fuente
- Nigel Havers
[edit] Overview
[edit] Premise
The show is centered on the Walker family, an American family of Irish and Jewish heritages. Some of the family members are involved in the family-owned business running Ojai Food Co, a produce distributor. Most of the action is set in the Greater Los Angeles area. The family home is located in Pasadena, California. The main branches of the Walker family tree included father William (deceased) (Tom Skerritt), mother Nora (Sally Field), and their five grown children – Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin. Nora's brother, Saul Holden (Ron Rifkin) helps run the Walker family business and is involved in most of the family's affairs.
[edit] Plot points
The show's narrative launched with the death of William Walker at Kitty's birthday party. His death causes a number of secrets from his life to be revealed - secrets that impact the remainder of his family.
[edit] Seasons
[edit] Season 1 (2006–2007)
Sarah, Tommy, and Saul, who are the most involved people with the family business, learn that William embezzled the company's funds. The business revelation also reveales two major revelations on the personal front: William had a mistress, Holly Harper (Patricia Wettig) whom he kept for decades, and the couple were believed to have had a child, Rebecca (Emily VanCamp).
Most of the season focuses on Rebecca and her integration into the Walker family. Her mother Holly also becomes involved as she goes into business with Tommy to open 'Walker Landing,' a vineyard.
At the same time Sarah's marriage hits the rocks and is made worse after her husband, Joe, kisses Rebecca. Tommy discovers he is sterile, which leads to he and his wife, Julia, turning to his brothers for support as possible surrogates. Julia gives birth to premature twins William and Elizabeth, but tragedy strikes and only Elizabeth survives.
Kevin has a short-term relationship with Scotty before beginning a secret fling with Chad Barry, a TV star who cannot admit to his sexuality. Tensions rise between him and his sister Kitty when she takes a job with Senator Robert McCallister (Rob Lowe) as he does not support gay marriage. Kevin is later introduced to Jason, Robert's gay brother, and they begin a relationship.
Kitty moves back in with her mother, causing unresolved issues between the two of them to come to the surface. She also begins a new job as co-host on a politics show 'Red White and Blue' and begins a relationship with fellow host, Warren. When she interviews Senator Robert McCallister, he offers her a job on his communications staff. After fighting it for months, they finally acknowledge their feelings for each other and become engaged at the end of the season.
Justin struggles with his drug addiction and his family's lack of faith in him; however, as the season progresses, he decides to stay clean and enters rehab. He also has an on again/off again relationship with an old high school friend and short time boss Tyler. He, out of all the brothers and sisters, spends more time with Rebecca and becomes closest to her. Later in the season he receives a letter from the army ordering him to return to active duty, and asks his brother Kevin to help him out of it.
[edit] Season 2 (2007–2008)
At the start the of the season, Tommy and Julia are struggling due to the death of their son. Julia decides they need some time apart and goes to stay with her parents. During her time away Tommy begins an affair with Lena - his new secretary and good friend of Rebecca.
Sarah now has to deal with being a single parent, and begins a relationship with Graham, who comes to work at Ojai. After a business deal, which Sarah is reluctant to agree with in the first place, goes wrong she decides to take the heat and to leave the family business.
Kevin is reunited with Scotty, but they have their share of problems as their relationship becomes more serious. At the same time, Kevin is trying to get his uncle Saul to admit to who he really is, causing a rift in their relationship.
Kitty and Robert plan their wedding as well as deal with Robert's campaign. Kitty later discovers she is pregnant, but there are complications with the pregnancy and the couple has to deal with a terrible loss.
Rebecca has spent the summer with Nora helping her deal with Justin being away at war. After he returns, due to an injury, Rebecca stays to help him recover. Soon after arriving home, Justin begins to lose control and becomes addicted to his pain medication. This, coupled with his relationship with Lena, causes him to have a falling out with Rebecca, who decides to move back in with her mother. Rebecca then meets David, an old friend of Holly's, which leads to a discovery that will change her entire life. Toward the end of the season, Justin must try to hide and deny his growing feelings for Rebecca.
Nora enters into a new romance with Isaac Marshall (Danny Glover) after meeting him when Kitty brings him in to assist with Robert's campaign.
[edit] Season 3 (2008–2009)
After the discovery that Rebecca is not a Walker, Sarah and Kevin start looking for Ryan Lafferty (Luke Grimes), who they believe to be their actual half-brother. Although Nora is against this at first, she later changes her mind. She goes to meet Ryan and invites him to stay with her so he can get to know the family. However, it is made apparent later in the season that Ryan may have had ulterior motives for agreeing with Nora's request. Nora also decides to start a non-profit center for families of those with illnesses and becomes attracted to her architect, Roger.
Meanwhile, Rebecca and Justin struggle to begin a romantic relationship. After driving Sarah and Saul from Ojai, Tommy decides it's time to get rid of Holly but engages in an illegal transaction to do so. Once Rebecca discovers what Tommy has planned, the relationship between her and Justin is put to the test as they try to keep the feud between their families from affecting their relationship.
Kitty and Robert move forward in their decision to adopt a child, while at the same time Robert has secretly decided to run for governor. Kitty writes a tell-all book about her time in politics and working for Robert, and agrees that she can no longer work for him. Robert also decides to hire Kevin as lawyer and press secretary after he was not made partner in the prestigious law firm he worked for. As well as trying to handle his new job, Kevin must adjust to married life with new husband Scotty.
Sarah is having trouble finding work as a single mother after leaving Ojai, while her decision to leave the family business has created uneasy feelings within the family, especially with Tommy. Eventually, she decides to risk putting her money into helping 'Greenatopia' a small internet business company which two young, recent college graduates run out of their apartment. She also faces new problems with her daughter, Paige, as she begins to grow up.
After a fight with Justin, Rebecca flies to New York and meets up with David. After spending some time together David surprises Rebecca at the airport and tells her he has decided to join her on the same flight back to L.A. Finally, Holly and David are back together.
Justin and Rebecca eventually get back together again. He proposes and Rebecca accepts.
[edit] Season 4 (2009–2010)
The show was renewed for a fourth season on April 23, 2009.[1]
[edit] DVD releases
| Name | Region 1 (inc USA) | Region 2 (inc Europe) | Region 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season One | September 4, 2007 | February 25, 2008 |
November 28, 2007 |
| Season Two | September 18, 2008 | March 13, 2009 (Ireland) March 16, 2009 (UK) |
October 29, 2008 |
| Season Three | September 1, 2009 [2] | TBA | October 21, 2009 [3] |
[edit] Production notes
 |
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2008) |
The series is from producer Ken Olin (thirtysomething and Alias) and Jon Robin Baitz, one of Broadway's most prominent playwrights (The Substance of Fire). Noted producer Greg Berlanti was also an executive producer and "show-runner" during season one. Berlanti continues to serve on the series as executive producer. Mark B. Perry, (The Wonder Years and One Tree Hill) served as the showrunner for twelve episodes before departing the show in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. The current showrunners are Monica Owusu-Breen and Alison Schapker.
After the series pilot was shot, and the show was picked up by ABC, the series underwent some moderate changes. Most notably, three of the roles were recast:
- The Walker family had originally been the March family, and the original matriarch of the show was Iva March, who'd been cast with veteran theater actress Betty Buckley. The role was ultimately renamed Nora and cast with Sally Field.
- The character of Kevin had originally been named Bryan, and had been cast with actor Jonathan LaPaglia. Like the current Kevin character, the Bryan version of the character was also gay, but had been married, and was going through a divorce. The Bryan incarnation of the character also had a child, and he and his ex-wife were going through a custody battle. Bryan's child later reappeared during the first season as the show, where he was recast as "Gabe," Joe's child from his first marriage. The show has subsequently received positive press attention for its depiction of Kevin Walker, who came to be seen as a breakthrough in the depiction of gay men on television: he has had several love interests, has kissed his boyfriends on-screen, and had a commitment ceremony with his partner Scotty in the second season finale — the first such ceremony ever shown on American network television between series regulars rather than minor recurring or guest characters.[4]
- The character of Jonathan, the man with whom Kitty was involved as the show began had originally been cast with writer and actor Dan Futterman. They had previously acted alongside each other as lovers in the film The Birdcage. The role was ultimately recast with actor Matthew Settle.
The more minor role of Cooper, Sarah and Joe's younger child, was also recast after the pilot episode.
Robert McCallister was the name of a character on a previous Greg Berlanti production, Jack & Bobby, about a boy who grew up to be the President of the United States. As with the Robert McCallister on Brothers & Sisters, the character on Jack & Bobby was a Republican who had a wife named Courtney and a son named Jack.
Brothers & Sisters is produced by Berlanti Television, After Portsmouth, and Touchstone Television (Fall 2006-Spring 2007), which is now ABC Studios (Fall 2007-present).
[edit] Location
Brothers & Sisters filmed in several cities in the Greater Los Angeles area including Los Angeles, Santa Monica, South Pasadena, Pasadena, and more.
[edit] Ratings
[edit] USA TV ratings
Seasonal rankings (based on average total viewers per episode) of Brothers & Sisters on ABC:
| Season | Timeslot (EDT) | Season Premiere | Season Finale | TV Season | Rank | Viewers (in millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday 10:00PM | September 24, 2006 | May 20, 2007 | 2006-2007 | #37 | 12.2[5] |
| 2 | Sunday 10:00PM | September 30, 2007 | May 11, 2008 | 2007-2008 | #38 | 11.5[6] |
| 3 | Sunday 10:00PM | September 28, 2008 | May 10, 2009 | 2008-2009 | #33[7] | 10.6[8] |
[edit] UK TV ratings
In the UK, the show fared well at the start for Channel 4 and started on the same viewing figures that Desperate Housewives's third season was for the channel, with around 2.4 million[9]. The show aired in the timeslot previously occupied by Desperate Housewives and was promoted heavily on magazine covers[citation needed]. The series debuted on Channel 4 on June 20, 2007 at 20:30 with an audience of 2.221m, the second episode was screened the same evening at 22:00 with an audience of 1.443m[10] The series then settled down to a regular audience of around 600,000, and Channel 4 started airing the remainder of the series in double bills from September 2007.[11]
The second season was shown on E4 starting on March 30, 2008 at 11 pm, after the first run episode of Desperate Housewives fourth season. Season 2 ended on E4 in July 2008. From October 11, 2008, Channel 4 looked set to air Season 2 in a varying afternoon slot on Saturdays around 4.30 pm, and did this for a couple of weeks using double bills but afterwards began airing episodes, still in double bills, in a un-specified time slot after midnight on Sunday night. Season Three was screened on More4 starting on January 8, 2009 and has a regular slot of 10 pm on Thursdays after ER. Leading up to Season Three, More4 began airing repeats of Season Two on weekday afternoons in double bills from 3 pm-5 pm.
[edit] Awards
- 2007
- Nominated - Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series (Jeanie Bacharach & Gillian O'Neill (casting directors)
- Nominated - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Rachel Griffiths)
- Won - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Sally Field)
- 2008
- Nominated - Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series (Sally Field)
- Nominated - Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Rachel Griffiths)
Golden Globe
- 2008
- Nominated - Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series Drama (Sally Field)
- Nominated - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (Rachel Griffiths)
SAG award
- 2008
- Won - Best Actress in a Drama Series (Sally Field)
[edit] References
- ^ a b ABC ANNOUNCES EARLY PICK-UPS FOR NEXT SEASON
- ^ http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Brothers-Sisters-Season-3/11491 US DVD S3 Release)
- ^ http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/807522 AUS DVD S3 Release
- ^ "Top This: A Gay Ceremony on ABC's Brothers & Sisters, USA Today, May 11, 2008.
- ^ "Hollywood Reporter: 2006-07 primetime wrap". May 25, 2007. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/features/e3ifbfdd1bcb53266ad8d9a71cad261604f.
- ^ Televisionista: TV Ratings: 2007-2008 Season Top-200
- ^ http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051909_05
- ^ http://abcmedianet.com/web/dnr/dispDNR.aspx?id=051909_05
- ^ BARB
- ^ CHANNEL4SALES : AUDIENCE DATA : OVERNIGHTS
- ^ CHANNEL4SALES : AUDIENCE DATA : OVERNIGHTS
- ^ Joint Press Release for 2nd Seasons of Ugly Betty & Brothers & Sisters, 4th Season of Desperate Housewives TVOnMedia.com - Jeff Hodges (04/28/2008)
[edit] External links
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