Pilot (The McDaniels)

"Pilot" is the first episode of the first season of the American family drama television series The McDaniels. The series follows the large extended McDaniel family, and the several generations throughout the decades. The series stars Hilary Swank, Lea Thompson, David Wenham, Vincent D'Onofrio, Jennie Garth, Martha Plimpton, Josh Segarra, Ryan Eggold, Mandy Moore, and William Zabka. "Pilot" was first broadcast on October 11, 2016 and premiered to highly positive reviews and 7.87 million U.S. viewers. The series also received a 2.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic, making it the second highest-rated series premiere of the season.
== Synopsis ==
== Plot ==
== Cast ==
=== Starring ===
*Hilary Swank as Bonnie Scott/Sander
*Lea Thompson as Deborah Thompson/McDaniel
*David Wenham as Mark McDaniel
*Vincent D'Onofrio as Joel McDaniel
*Jennie Garth as Janelle Puitt
*Martha Plimpton as Karen Smith
*Josh Segarra as Justin McDaniel
*Ryan Eggold as Larry McDaniel
*Mandy Moore as Wilma McDaniel
*William Zabka as Steve McDaniel
=== Guest Starring ===
*Ansel Elgort as young Michael McDaniel
*Abigail Breslin as teenage Bonnie McDaniel
*David O'Hara as Eddie Smith
*Billy Crudup as Byron Puitt
*John Schneider as Dan Sander
*Cara Buono as Robin McDaniel
*Timmy Thompson
*Barbara McDaniel
*Grace Potter as Rachel Puitt
*Lucy Hale as Sarah Puitt
*Chris Wood as Kaleb McDaniel
*Adelaide Kane as Shannon McDaniel
*K.J. Apa as Matt McDaniel
*Christa B. Allen as young Deborah Thompson
*Israel Broussard as young Mark McDaniel
*Shannon Purser as young Barbara McDaniel
*Alana Cavanaugh as Jordan McDaniel
=== Co-Starring ===
*child Deborah McDaniel
*child Bonnie McDaniel
*child Mark McDaniel
*child Karen McDaniel
*child Joel McDaniel
*child Janelle McDaniel
*young Ann McDaniel
*child Billy Scott
*child Adina Thompson
*child Ryan Thompson
*teenage Adina Thompson
*teenage Ryan Thompson
*Braedon Thompson
*child Rebekah McDaniel
*child Kelly McDaniel
*Doctor
*Nicole
*Judge
== Production ==
NBC picked up the series for a pilot in November 2015, with Hilary Swank set to star. By December, Lea Thompson, Vincent D'Onofrio, and William Zabka had joined the pilot, before the cast was rounded out in January 2016 with David Wenham, Jennie Garth, Martha Plimpton, Ryan Eggold, and Mandy Moore. Several recurring guest stars were cast throughout February and March, before the series received an early series pickup on May 1.
== Reception ==
The pilot received positive reviews from critics, with the writing and performances especially praised.