In an era dominated by reboots, prequels, and spinoffs, Bryton James, known for his role as Richie Crawford on the iconic ’90s sitcom Family Matters, has a fresh vision to revive the show: transforming it into an animated series. In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, James revealed his ambitious plan to reimagine the beloved series for a new generation by adapting its classic episodes into a modern animated format.
James, who recently transitioned from The Young and the Restless to its sister soap Beyond the Gates, shared that he’s made significant progress on the project. “I got pretty far along,” he told EW. “I had a production company lined up to finance, and I got everybody on board, even Jaleel White.” White, who skyrocketed to fame as the nerdy, lovable Steve Urkel, was among the cast members James rallied for the reboot. However, the project is currently stalled, as James noted, “It’s sitting in Warner Bros.’ hands right now… That plan is still kind of floating around out there, and I’m still trying to pursue it.”
A source familiar with Warner Bros. Animation confirmed to EW that the studio is aware of James’ interest but clarified that the project has not progressed beyond initial discussions. Representatives for Warner Bros. TV did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Family Matters, which aired from 1989 to 1998, captured hearts with its humorous and heartfelt portrayal of the Winslow family, a middle-class Black family in Chicago. The series launched the careers of Reginald VelJohnson (Carl Winslow), Jaleel White (Steve Urkel), and James, who played Carl’s nephew Richie. The show’s blend of comedy and family values, punctuated by Urkel’s zany antics, made it a cultural touchstone.
Tragically, several cast members have passed away, including Michelle Thomas (Myra Monkhouse), who died of cancer in 1998, and Rosetta LeNoire (Estelle Winslow), who passed in 2002 due to diabetes complications. Despite these losses, James found it easy to reunite the surviving cast, thanks to a 2018 reunion that rekindled connections. “I still very much keep in touch with Telma Hopkins, who played my mom,” James said, also mentioning recent encounters with Darius McCrary (Eddie Winslow) and Kellie Shanygne Williams (Laura Winslow).
James’ choice to pursue animation over a live-action reboot, like And Just Like That or Young Sheldon, stems from the show’s fantastical elements. “I remember these episodes, some of the storylines they’d come up with for Urkel, like when he created a tornado in the kitchen,” he explained. “They kind of bordered on fantasy, and you could really take the show into animation and have us voice our characters again.” Animation also offers logistical advantages, allowing the cast to record remotely without needing to reunite physically or, as James jokingly noted, requiring White to don Urkel’s iconic suspenders.
In contrast, Jaleel White revealed in his 2024 memoir, Growing Up Urkel, that he rejected a different Family Matters reboot pitched by producer Bob Boyett. That version would have centered on a married Urkel and Laura with a son, Steve Urkel Jr. White declined, citing outdated dynamics and an unappealing script. Instead, he pitched a semi-autobiographical series about a young actor navigating fame as Urkel, though that concept never materialized.
James remains optimistic about his animated vision, believing it could resonate with fans. “There are fans of Family Matters who would be interested,” he said, hopeful that his approach could “bring the show back to life in a new, fresh way” for today’s audience.
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