During the filming of Modern Family, there were two actresses who were pregnant at different times: Julie Bowen and Sarah Hyland.
Julie Bowen, who played Claire Dunphy, was pregnant during the filming of the show’s first season. She was pregnant with her twin sons, John and Gus, who were born in May 2009. To accommodate Bowen’s pregnancy, the show’s producers decided to shoot the first season out of order. This allowed Bowen to film scenes early on in the season when she wasn’t showing yet, and then take a brief maternity leave before returning to finish filming.
In an interview with People Magazine, Bowen said, “It was definitely a challenge, but it was also a blessing because I got to work with the most wonderful people on earth. They were so understanding and supportive. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to work with.”
The show’s producers also used a variety of tricks to conceal Bowen’s pregnancy during the first season. They used wardrobe and camera angles to hide her bump, and in some scenes, they used a body double to stand in for Bowen. Despite these challenges, Bowen’s pregnancy didn’t significantly impact the show’s production, and she continued to deliver excellent performances throughout the first season.
Sarah Hyland, who played Haley Dunphy, was also pregnant during the show’s eleventh and final season. She announced her pregnancy in December 2019 and gave birth to her daughter, Marlowe, in March 2021. During the show’s final season, Hyland’s pregnancy was written into the show’s storyline, and her character became pregnant as well.
In an interview with People Magazine, Hyland said, “It was really amazing to get to play a pregnant character while I was pregnant in real life. It was a unique experience that I’ll always cherish.”
The show’s producers also used a variety of tricks to conceal Hyland’s pregnancy during the final season. They used wardrobe and camera angles to hide her bump, and in some scenes, they used a body double to stand in for Hyland. Despite these challenges, Hyland’s pregnancy didn’t significantly impact the show’s production, and she continued to deliver excellent performances throughout the final season.
Overall, the pregnancies of Julie Bowen and Sarah Hyland during the filming of Modern Family were handled with grace and professionalism by the show’s producers, cast, and crew. Both actresses were able to balance the demands of their pregnancies with the demands of their roles on the show, and their pregnancies added unique elements to the show’s storylines.