Fillion has been cast in a recurring role on the popular ABC sitcom Modern Family, reports Deadline. He will play a local weatherman, cheesily named Rainor Shine (get it?) who somehow crosses paths with the Dunphy family.
Fillion is best known in today’s TV world for playing Richard Castle in the aforementioned show, a mystery novelist who works with a New York City detective, Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), to solve crimes. Alleged feuding among the two actors reportedly played a role in the show being canceled this year after an impressive eight seasons.
But tech nerds arguably know Fillion more for his role in the cult classic space Western Firefly, and its follow-up movie Serenity. He also recently had a guest appearance on CBS’ Big Bang Theory, playing himself. But the longtime actor has a lengthy list of television credits to his name, including a role on the soap opera One Life to Live from 1995-2007 and a recurring role on Desperate Housewives. He also voiced several characters on the animated series Robot Chicken. Fillion got his big break in the sitcom world, however, back in 1998 with a role on Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, which also starred fellow Canadian Ryan Reynolds.
Modern Family, co-created and executive produced by Steve Levitan, has enjoyed a massively successful run. The show, gearing up for its eighth season, is filmed mockumentary-style, with scenes broken up by members of the family speaking directly to the camera as they narrate the crazy daily happenings within their diverse family. The show, which has won 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Comedy Series four years in a row, stars Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Eric Stonestreet.
Levitan confirmed that Fillion would appear in “at least” three episodes of the new season. Martin Short has also been tapped for a guest appearance.
The eighth season of Modern Family will debut on Wednesday, September 21, in its regular 9 p.m. ET time slot. Judging from these casting announcements, it’s poised to be one of the most hilarious seasons yet.
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