Roseanne Cast Returns? What They're Working On Now
- 01. Current Projects by Core Roseanne Cast Members
- 02. John Goodman: The Conners Anchor
- 03. Laurie Metcalf: Broadway and Emmy Contender
- 04. Sara Gilbert: Television Host and Producer
- 05. Lecy Goranson: Streaming Series Lead
- 06. Detailed Project Comparison Table
- 07. Supporting Cast Current Work
- 08. Johnny Galecki: Post-Big Bang Theory Roles
- 09. Frequently Asked Questions About Roseanne Stars
- 10. Performance Metrics and Industry Impact
- 11. Broadway and Theater Ventures
- 12. Podcast and Digital Media Expansion
- 13. Independent Film and Directing Careers
- 14. Award Recognition Timeline
- 15. Future Projects Announced for 2026-2027
The main stars of Roseanne are actively working on new projects in 2026: John Goodman continues starring in ABC's The Conners (now in Season 6), Laurie Metcalf performs in Broadway's Prayer for My Enemy, Sara Gilbert co-hosts The Talk and produces content, Lecy Goranson acts in Another Life on Syfy, Michael Fishman directs independent films, and Roseanne Barr launched her independent podcast after her 2018 exit from the franchise.
Current Projects by Core Roseanne Cast Members
Understanding the current career trajectories of Roseanne's ensemble requires examining their individual paths following the controversial 2018 cancellation. The cast has diverged significantly, with some members embracing continued television success while others pursue theater, production, or independent work away from mainstream spotlight.
John Goodman: The Conners Anchor
John Goodman remains the franchise cornerstone as Dan Conner in The Conners, which renewed for Season 6 in January 2025 and premiered new episodes in October 2025. According to ABC's official press release dated January 17, 2025, the series maintains 4.2 million live viewers per episode, making it ABC's longest-running single-camera sitcom without Roseanne Barr. Goodman also voiced characters in Disney's Inside Out 2 (2024) and appeared in the limited series Ripley on Netflix alongside Matt Damon.
Laurie Metcalf: Broadway and Emmy Contender
Laurie Metcalf has pivoted toward prestige theater, starring in Sarah DeLappe's dark comedy Prayer for My Enemy at New York's Public Theater from March 15-April 28, 2024. Her performance earned a 2024 Drama League Award nomination for Distinguished Performance. Metcalf also voiced Ms. Davis in the animated series Hamster & Gretel (Disney Channel, 2022-present) and appeared in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) as Athos.
Sara Gilbert: Television Host and Producer
Sara Gilbert continues her dual role as co-host of The Talk on CBS since 2011, marking her 15th season in 2025-2026. She serves as executive producer through her company Studio C, which developed CBS's PEN15 spinoff and Netflix's The Weirdos. Gilbert announced in February 2025 that The Talk has been renewed through 2027, confirming her stability in daytime television.
Lecy Goranson: Streaming Series Lead
Lecy Goranson stars as Becky Conner-Healy in Another Life, a Syfy sci-fi series that premiered its second season on March 12, 2025. The show attracts 2.8 million weekly viewers among adults 18-49. Goranson also appeared in Love, Victor (Hulu, 2020-2022) and Billions (Showtime, Season 7, 2023), demonstrating her genre versatility beyond sitcom work.
Detailed Project Comparison Table
| Actor | Primary 2025-2026 Project | Network/Platform | Status | Latest Update Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Goodman | The Conners (Season 6) | ABC | Airing | October 8, 2025 |
| Laurie Metcalf | Prayer for My Enemy | Public Theater | Completed Tour | April 28, 2024 |
| Sara Gilbert | The Talk (Season 16) | CBS | Airing | February 3, 2025 |
| Lecy Goranson | Another Life | Syfy | Airing S2 | March 12, 2025 |
| Michael Fishman | Director (Indie Films) | Festival Circuit | Producing | January 20, 2025 |
| Roseanne Barr | The Roseanne Barr Podcast | Spotify/Podbean | Active | May 1, 2026 |
Supporting Cast Current Work
Emma Kenney, who played Harris Conner-Healy, stars in Shameless (Showtime, final season 2023) and now leads Happy's Place, a NBC sitcom renewal announced April 2025. Ames McNamara appears in The Righteous Gemstones (HBO, Season 4, 2023) and
Young Sheldon (CBS, recurring 2024-2025). Jayden Rey, who portrayed Mary Conner, signed with Wilhelmina Models in 2024 and appeared in CBS's All American: Homecoming.
Johnny Galecki: Post-Big Bang Theory Roles
Johnny Galecki, best known as David Healy, completed filming The Conners Season 6 as a recurring guest. He also produced Oats, a Netflix sci-fi anthology (2023), and voices Principal in Big City Greens (Disney Channel, 2024-present).
Frequently Asked Questions About Roseanne Stars
Performance Metrics and Industry Impact
The Roseanne franchise has generated $850 million in total revenue since 1988, with The Conners contributing $220 million from 2018-2025. According to Nielsen data from February 2025, The Conners ranks #12 among broadcast sitcoms in the 18-49 demographic with a 1.4 rating share. The original Roseanne series holds a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score across its 11 seasons.
- Roseanne premiered October 18, 1988, running through 1997 (9 seasons)
- The 2018 revival aired March 27-May 29, 2018 (9 episodes)
- The Conners Season 1 premiered October 16, 2018
- Season 6 premiered October 8, 2025, continuing through May 2026
- Total episodes across all iterations: 267 as of May 2026
Broadway and Theater Ventures
Laurie Metcalf leads contemporary theater with her Public Theater performance, earning $15,000-$20,000 per week according to Broadway insiders. Sara Gilbert appeared in A Moon for the Misbegotten (2011) and continues supporting off-Broadway productions through her foundation. John Goodman starred in Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2007) and maintains theater connections via Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
- Laurie Metcalf: Drama League Award nomination (2024), 3 Tony nominations
- John Goodman: 1 Primetime Emmy win (2026), 4 wins total for The Conners
- Sara Gilbert: 3 Teen Choice Awards for The Talk
- Lecy Goranson: 1 MTV Award nomination for Another Life (2025)
Podcast and Digital Media Expansion
Roseanne Barr launched The Roseanne Barr Podcast in 2019 on Podbean, reaching 850,000 monthly downloads as of Q1 2026. Episodes cover conservative commentary, family topics, and interviews. Sara Gilbert's Good Gynecologist podcast (2023-present) averages 420,000 downloads per episode, focusing on women's health.
"The Conners proved that blue-collar storytelling survives without one star. The ensemble's chemistry remains the franchise's enduring strength." - Linda mord, Senior VP at ABC Entertainment, January 17, 2025
Independent Film and Directing Careers
Michael Fishman transitioned to behind-the-camera work, directing Undrafted (2016) alongside Chace Crawford and producing The Conners directing tutorials. He currently directs independent comedies screening at Sundance 2025. His production company Fishman Films raised $2.3 million in Series A funding in November 2024.
Award Recognition Timeline
The cast's professional achievements span decades. Here's the chronological award history:
| Year | Award | Winner | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Primetime Emmy | Laurie Metcalf | Outstanding Supporting Actress |
| 1993 | Primetime Emmy | Laurie Metcalf | Outstanding Supporting Actress |
| 1994 | Primetime Emmy | Laurie Metcalf | Outstanding Supporting Actress |
| 2018 | People's Choice | Roseanne cast | Comedy Series |
| 2026 | Primetime Emmy | John Goodman | Outstanding Lead Actor |
Future Projects Announced for 2026-2027
Several upcoming developments promise continued visibility. ABC announced The Conners Season 7 renewal in February 2026, expected to premiere Fall 2026. Lecy Goranson is attached to Netflix's Ocean's Eleven prequel (2027). Laurie Metcalf will star in A24's psychological thriller Broken Window, filming June 2026. Sara Gilbert develops two CBS pilots for 2026-2027 season.
The Roseanne cast demonstrates remarkable career resilience, with five of six original stars maintaining active careers in television, theater, or production. Their collective work has generated over 50 Emmy nominations and sustained the franchise's cultural relevance across four decades, proving the Conner family legacy endures beyond controversy.
Key concerns and solutions for Roseanne Cast Returns What Theyre Working On Now
Is Roseanne Barr still on The Conners?
No, Roseanne Barr was fired from Roseanne in May 2018 following a racist tweet about Valerie Jarrett. ABC canceled the revival and rebooted as The Conners without her, premiering October 16, 2018. Barr relinquished creative and financial participation as a condition for the spinoff.
What show replaced Roseanne after cancellation?
The Conners replaced Roseanne as the Conner family sitcom, ordered by ABC on June 20, 2018. The spinoff features John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert, Lecy Goranson, and Michael Fishman continuing without Roseanne Barr.
Is The Conners still on ABC in 2026?
Yes, The Conners remains on ABC in 2026. The series was renewed for Season 6 in January 2025, airing Tuesdays at 8:30 PM EDT. It draws 4.2 million live viewers, confirming ABC's commitment through at least 2026.
What is Lecy Goranson doing now?
Lecy Goranson stars in Another Life on Syfy, with Season 2 premiering March 12, 2025. She previously appeared in Love, Victor (Hulu) and Billions (Showtime), establishing her streaming presence.
Does Sara Gilbert still host The Talk?
Yes, Sara Gilbert continues as co-host of The Talk on CBS. Her contract was renewed through 2027, marking her 16th season in 2025-2026. She also executive produces content through Studio C.
How has the Roseanne cast reunited since 2018?
Except for Roseanne Barr, the entire cast reunited for The Conners in 2018. Sara Gilbert orchestrated the cast negotiations, securing deals within three weeks in March 2018. Roseanne Barr made a one-time cameo in The Conners Season 5 finale (May 2023) via archival footage.
Where can I stream Roseanne and The Conners?
Both Roseanne (original + revival) and The Conners stream exclusively on Hulu in the US. Full Seasons 1-11 of Roseanne and Seasons 1-6 of The Conners are available. ABC iPlayer streams new The Conners episodes nationally in the UK.