The McDaniels (TV series)

***The McDaniels*** is an American drama television series that airs on NBC. The series follows three generations of the McDaniel family. It premiered on September 20, 2016.

## Series overview

The series typically follows multiple storylines, ones in the past (1974-78 and 1995-99) and one in the present (2016-20). Six siblings; Deborah, Bonnie, Mark, Karen, Joel, and Janelle are born to Larry and Wilma McDaniel. Deborah grows up and marries Timmy Russell, having two children, Adina and Ryan, before they divorce. Deborah becomes estranged from her kids, before reuniting with them later in life. Bonnie becomes pregnant at 18 and has a child, Michael, before his father Ricky returns from prison and Bonnie marries him. They have another child, Billy, before separating. Ricky dies after Michael gets married to Ann, and afterward Bonnie remarries to Dan. Michael and Ann have four children of their own, as does Billy, before getting divorced twice. Mark has a troubled marriage to Barbara, but six children result from it, one of whom dies. Karen cannot make up her mind on a job and eventually joins Doctors Without Borders and meets Eddie, whom she marries. The two later find out they cannot have kids of their own, and go through a failed adoption process. Joel also has a troubled marriage to Robin, but has two sons Nathan and Caleb. Caleb lives with them, including later on with his wife Lily, until the two finally move out. Joel and Robin try to repair their marriage. Janelle has two daughters, Rachel and Sarah, with her husband Byron. Both daughters never move out, and Rachel pursues a music career, while Sarah tries to become a social worker. In the present day, Deborah, Mark, and Joel all live in Fort Smith, where they grew up, Bonnie lives in Portland, Oregon, Karen lives in Chicago, and Janelle originally lives in Los Angeles, before moving to the small town of Woodlake.

## Cast and characters

* Elizabeth Mitchell as Bonnie (McDaniel) Sander
	+ Also portrayed by Abigail Breslin (ages 18-22)
* Brenda Strong as Deborah (McDaniel) Russell
	+ Also portrayed by Holly Taylor (ages 20-24)
* Luke Perry as Mark McDaniel
	+ Also portrayed by Dylan Summerall (ages 16-20)
* Sarah Paulson as Karen McDaniel-Smith
	+ Also portrayed by Bebe Wood (ages 14-18)
* Peter Facinelli as Joel McDaniel
	+ Also portrayed by Davis Cleveland (ages 12-16)
* Andrea Savage as Janelle (McDaniel) Puitt
	+ Also portrayed by Ella Anderson (ages 11-15)
* Catherine McCormack as Wilma McDaniel
* Adrian Pasdar as Larry McDaniel
* Gary Cole as Dan Sander (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Corey Stoll as Michael McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)

* + Also portrayed by Robbie Kay (ages 20-24)
* Brooke Shields as Barbara McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Cara Buono as Robin McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Billy Burke as Byron Puitt (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Sarah Wayne Callies as Ann McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)

* + Also portrayed by Grace Fulton (ages 22-24)
* Zachary Quinto as Billy Scott (guest season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Zach McClarnon as Timmy Russell (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-4)
* Crystle Lightning as Adina Thompson (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Elizabeth Lail as Shannon McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Dylan Minnette as Matt McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Chris Wood as Caleb McDaniel (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Natalia Dyer as Lily (Foster) McDaniel (main seasons 2-present)
* Johanna Braddy as Rachel Puitt (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Jessica Rothe as Sarah Puitt (recurring season 1; main seasons 2-present)
* Gus Kamp as Hunter McDaniel (recurring seasons 1-2; main seasons 3-present)
* Levi Miller as Austin McDaniel (recurring seasons 1-2; main seasons 3-present)
* Daniel DiMaggio as Colton McDaniel (recurring seasons 1-2; main seasons 3-present)
* Jack Dylan Grazer as Markie McDaniel (recurring seasons 1-2; main seasons 3-present)
* Paris Berelc as Mikayla Washington (recurring seasons 3-4; main seasons 5-present)