The Real O'Neals

About The Real O'Neals

The Real O'Neals is an American sitcom that aired on ABC from March 2, 2016, to March 14, 2017. The series, loosely based on an idea by Dan Savage (who also served as executive producer), revolves around a close-knit Catholic family living in Chicago whose world turns upside down when the youngest son comes out as gay.

Making / Production

"Real O'Neals" was produced by ABC Studios, Hypomania Content, and Di Bonaventura Pictures Television, with Elizabeth Flahive, Casey Johnson, Stacy Traub, Dan McDermott, David Windsor, and Dan Savage serving as executive producers.

Actors

• Noah Galvin as Kenny O'Neal: The middle child, who comes out to his family as gay. Galvin delivers a heartwarming and humorous performance, capturing the awkwardness of adolescence combined with the struggles of navigating his sexuality within a religious family.
• Martha Plimpton as Eileen O'Neal: She plays the strong and devout Catholic mother, anchoring the family through its struggles and changes with love and humor.
• Jay R. Ferguson as Pat O'Neal: Father to the O'Neal children, he authentically portrays the struggles of accepting his son’s sexuality alongside the dissolution of his marriage.
• Matt Shively as Jimmy O'Neal: Older brother to Kenny, Matt's portrayal of Jimmy is often light-hearted and comedic, providing levity during the series' more serious moments.
• Bebe Wood as Shannon O'Neal: The youngest O'Neal, who brings a unique perspective on the family's drama with her intelligent and quirky character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This series was loosely inspired by the early life of LGBTQ advocate and columnist Dan Savage.
• The series is set in Chicago, but it was actually filmed in Los Angeles.
• "The Real O'Neals" garnered some controversy for its handling of religious themes, particularly Catholicism.

Awards

The Real O'Neals was nominated for "Outstanding Comedy Series" at the 28th GLAAD Media Awards.

Quotes

• “You’re gay. You love pedicures. You're a natural at gift wrapping…” - Jimmy O'Neal
• "We're as normal as any other family. It's not like we're hiding anything." - Kenny O'Neal
• "I've tried being something I'm not, and I don't think I'm very good at it." - Kenny O'Neal

Music, Soundtrack

• The series features an eclectic mix of contemporary music and pop culture references to explore Kenny's journey of self-discovery.
• The original score was composed by Sidh Solanki & Dan Marocco, further adding to the series' distinctive personality and humor.