Development
In August 2014, reports circulated that Warner Bros. Television was considering a series reboot. John Stamos, who had an ownership stake in the show, headed up the attempt to get the series back into production. Creator Jeff Franklin returned as showrunner—or leading executive producer—with the collaboration of original executive producers Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett under their Miller-Boyett Productions label. [24]
In April 2015, it was reported that Netflix was close to closing a deal to produce a 13-episode sequel series tentatively titled Fuller House. A representative for Netflix said that the report was "just a rumor". [24] [25] In response to the report, Bure tweeted, "While you all ponder over whether the Fuller House show is true or is an April Fools joke, check out [link to her upcoming TV movie]", and Stamos tweeted, "Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see." [26] On April 20, he appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! , confirming the spin-off series had been green-lit by Netflix. On April 21, Netflix confirmed the series was in development. [27]
In a parallel to the original series, Fuller House focuses on D.J., who is a recently widowed mother of three boys, with her sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy moving in to help raise the boys. The series starts off with a special episode featuring a Tanner family reunion. [28] [29] Filming of the series began in July 2015 and lasted until November 2015. [5] [30] In December 2015, the series' release date was revealed as February 26, 2016. [10] Later in the month, Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepsen revealed she and Butch Walker recreated the Full House theme song, "Everywhere You Look" (which was originally performed by Jesse Frederick, who co-wrote the song with Bennett Salvay), for the series as its opening theme. [31]
On March 2, 2016, the series was renewed for a second season, and production for the second season began on May 5, 2016. [32] Thirteen new episodes were ordered and were released on December 9, 2016. [33] [34] On December 24, 2016, the series was renewed for a third season, to be released in 2017. [35] On December 31, 2016, it was confirmed that the season would be 18 episodes. [36] Production for the third season began on March 18, 2017, [37] and ended on September 2, 2017. [38] It was announced on June 26, 2017, that the third season would be split into two parts, with the release of the first part on September 22, 2017, to consist of nine episodes. [39] It was announced on November 13, 2017, that the second half, also consisting of nine episodes, would be released on December 22, 2017. [40] On January 29, 2018, the series was renewed for a fourth season of thirteen episodes. [41] The fourth season was released on December 14, 2018. [42] On January 31, 2019, the show was renewed for its fifth and final season of eighteen episodes, as announced with a farewell video on the show's Twitter account. [43] [44] The first half of the fifth premiered on December 6, 2019, with the second half released on June 2, 2020. [45] [46]
Due to competition on Netflix among over 1,500 other shows and inability to significantly grow its audience the show ended in 2020 after 5 seasons. [47] [48]
Casting
In addition to Cameron Bure, Sweetin, and Barber reprising their roles, the other main roles went to Michael Campion, Elias Harger, and Soni Bringas, as their children: Jackson and Max Fuller, and Ramona Gibbler, respectively. [12] It was disclosed that John Stamos would have a recurring role as Jesse Katsopolis and would also be producing. [19] Other original main cast members who would be reprising their roles periodically are Lori Loughlin as Becky Katsopolis, Bob Saget as Danny Tanner, and Dave Coulier as Joey Gladstone. [21] [20] [49] [50] Dylan and Blake Tuomy-Wilhoit also make an appearance reprising their roles as Nicky and Alex Katsopolis, respectively. [22] On April 19, 2016, it was announced Ashley Liao, who plays Ramona's best friend, had been upgraded to a series regular. [17]
Additional cast members recurring regularly throughout the series include Juan Pablo Di Pace, playing Kimmy's ex-husband, Fernando, and Scott Weinger, reprising the role of Steve Hale, D.J.'s high school boyfriend. [15] [51] Eva LaRue portrays Danny's wife Teri, [22] and Michael Sun Lee makes an appearance as the adult version of Nathan Nishiguchi's character, Harry Takayama, who was Stephanie's childhood friend. [13] [52]
Shortly after announcing the spin-off series, it was uncertain whether Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who shared the role of Michelle Tanner, would choose to participate. [53] The Olsen twins ultimately rejected the offer because Ashley has not acted in years with no intentions to restart, and Mary-Kate initially considered the part but later declined as it was not feasible with her fashion career at the time. [52] [30] [54] [55] [56] Subsequently, the producers decided to have Michelle reside in New York City, where she is highly focused on her fashion enterprise. [57] By January 2016, they asked the Olsen twins' younger sister, Elizabeth, if she had any ambitions to take the part of Michelle, but she ultimately declined as well. [58] Nevertheless, the producers still prodded the Olsen twins to return and were confident that one of the twins would ultimately decide to reappear during the second season, although this did not end up happening. [59] [60] In September 2016, it was announced that the character Nelson will re-appear on Fuller House, with the character recast to be portrayed by Hal Sparks, who replaces Nelson's original portrayer, Jason Marsden. [61] In September 2017, Jeff Franklin revealed at Paley Fest that Danny's ex, Vicky Larson (Gail Edwards) would return in season three, [62] doing so in the season's finale.
