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Edward Burns’ ‘The Family McMullen’ Debuts on HBO Max 30 Years After ‘Brothers McMullen

Burns says a long search for the right story led him to focus on grown kids moving home.

Overview

  • The sequel follows Barry, now recently divorced, as his twenty-something children move back home, a premise Burns drew from reporting on housing costs.
  • Warner Bros. and HBO Max financed the film after a lengthy development and have released it directly on the streamer.
  • Connie Britton returns as Molly, reimagined as a widow who shares the spotlight with the next generation.
  • Burns encouraged younger cast members Pico Alexander, Juliana Canfield, Halston Sage and Sam Vartholomeos to reshape dialogue for authenticity.
  • Production nods to the 1995 original include a day of filming at Burns’ childhood home and a lighter rom‑com tone featuring Tracee Ellis Ross as Barry’s love interest.