> At a Glance
> – Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Nolan Gould and Ariel Winter reunited for a New Year’s lunch in Los Angeles
> – Ferguson posted a photo on January 5 showing Gould, 27, with a full beard and shaggy hair
> – Fans flooded the comments demanding a spinoff series
> – Why it matters: The reunion proves the Modern Family cast remains close four years after the series ended
A casual lunch between former castmates has sent Modern Family fans into overdrive after Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared a photo showing just how much Nolan Gould has transformed since his days as Luke Dunphy.
The Reunion Photo That Broke The Internet
Ferguson captioned the January 5 Instagram post “New year, new lunch with the fam,” featuring himself with former on-screen niece and nephew Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould. The simple lunch photo sparked immediate fan frenzy as followers struggled to recognize Gould, who was just 10 years old when cast in 2009.
The now 27-year-old actor sports a full beard and longer hairstyle-a stark contrast to his clean-cut look during the show’s 11-season run. Comments immediately poured in begging for a spinoff or reunion movie.
Cast Bonds That Outlasted The Series
The reunion highlights the genuine friendships formed during Modern Family’s run from 2009 to 2020. Ariel Winter confirmed her close bond with Gould, telling News Of Los Angeles in May: “I’m extremely close to Nolan. He and I are still best friends.”
This isn’t the first time the cast has reunited since the finale:
- Sofía Vergara hosted nearly the entire cast at her home in 2023
- It was the first time most had been together in almost four years
- Only Ty Burrell missed the gathering due to his move to Utah
Growing Up In The Spotlight
Gould has openly discussed the challenges of aging in front of millions of viewers. In a 2014 interview, he noted: “I’ll see a side-by-side shot of when I first started the show and how I look now-it’s like a metamorphosis.”
The actor revealed he has two distinct fan reactions:
- One group mourns his transformation from the curly-haired kid
- Another group, primarily teenage girls, embraces his maturation
Key Takeaways
- Modern Family cast members remain close friends four years after the series ended
- Nolan Gould’s transformation from child actor to bearded adult shocked fans
- The 2023 cast reunion marked the first time most members had been together in years
- Fans continue demanding new content featuring the beloved characters
Modern Family’s enduring popularity proves that sometimes the family you choose on-screen can become just as important off-screen.
