“Did I do that?” may be echoing again soon, but this time in animated form.
Bryton James, best known for his role as Richie Crawford on the beloved ’90s sitcom Family Matters is working to revive the iconic series with a fresh animated reboot. The actor, who later went on to win multiple Daytime Emmys for his long-running role as Devon Winters on The Young and the Restless, has recently revealed his hopes to bring the Winslow family and yes, Steve Urkel back to screens in a new way.
First airing in 1989, Family Matters ran for nine seasons, becoming one of the most popular entries in ABC’s “TGIF” lineup and later finding a second life in syndication. The show followed the everyday antics of the Winslow family in Chicago, but it was the nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (played by Jaleel White) who became a breakout pop culture phenomenon.
James, who joined the series as Richie in Season 2, has expressed that animation could be the perfect medium to reintroduce Family Matters to a new generation while staying true to the heart of the original. An animated format would allow for imaginative storytelling, nostalgic nods for longtime fans, and a chance to reimagine classic characters for today’s audiences.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the actor — who portrayed youngster Richie Crawford from Seasons 2 through 9 — said he’s “had an idea to take the show and turn it into an animated series,” by “taking the old episodes and modernizing them and kind of starting from scratch for the new generation.”
While official details and partnerships have not yet been announced, James’ passion project is generating buzz among fans who grew up with the Winslows on Friday nights. With so many reboots and revivals in recent years, from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reimagined as Bel-Air to animated reboots of classics like The Proud Family, Family Matters could be the next series to make a comeback in a new form.
Whether it’s Carl Winslow’s steady wisdom, Harriette’s sharp humor, or Urkel’s unforgettable catchphrases, the show’s characters remain etched in TV history. If James’ vision comes to life, audiences may soon see their favorite sitcom family brought back to life — with a colorful animated twist.
