Brothers & Sisters (2006 TV series)
The Walkers navigate family secrets and business turmoil.
Brothers & Sisters is an American family drama television series that centers on the Walker family and their lives in Los Angeles and Pasadena, California. The series aired for five seasons on ABC from September 24, 2006, to May 8, 2011, and was broadcast on Sunday nights following Desperate Housewives. Sally Field won both a Primetime Emmy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role as Nora Walker.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Family drama; Serial drama
- Creator
- Jon Robin Baitz
- Narrator
- Sally Field (season 5)
- Composer
- Blake Neely
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Seasons
- 5
- Episodes
- 109
Facts from the source article.
Premise
The series follows the wealthy Walker family after the death of patriarch William Walker, founder of Ojai Foods. Nora Walker, his widow, confronts revelations of his infidelity, while their children—Sarah and Tommy, both executives at Ojai Foods; Kitty, a conservative activist; Kevin, a gay lawyer; and Justin, a war veteran with a substance abuse problem—face their own challenges. The family is joined by Scotty, Kevin's boyfriend and later husband; Nora's brother Saul; and Holly Harper, William's mistress. Plotlines center on romantic relationships, control of Ojai Foods, and sibling dynamics, often resolved with a call for family unity. The narrative begins with William's death at Kitty's birthday party, which uncovers secrets including Holly and her daughter Rebecca. Later storylines involve the family business, personal and political lives, and interactions with Holly and Rebecca. After selling Ojai Foods, Scotty and Saul open a restaurant, and Nora begins working at a radio station that Sarah decides to buy.
Characters
Justin Walker is Nora and William's youngest son, a paramedic, war veteran, and recovering alcoholic and drug addict. Nora Walker, the widow, is mother to Sarah, Kitty, Tommy, Kevin, and Justin, and grandmother to several grandchildren. Kitty Walker, one year younger than Sarah, is an adoptive mother, writer, and former communication director and television host, widowed from Robert McCallister. Sarah Laurent, the eldest daughter, is a mother and former president of Ojai Foods, ex-wife of Joe Whedon and wife of Luc Laurent. Tommy Walker, two years younger than Kitty, is a former president of Ojai Foods, ex-husband to Julia Ridge and fiancé of Rose. Kevin Walker, one year younger than Tommy, is a pro bono lawyer and husband of Scotty Wandell. Saul Holden, Nora's brother, is a restaurant owner and former CFO of Ojai Foods. Holly Harper, William's ex-mistress, is mother of Rebecca and former chairwoman of Ojai Foods. Other characters include Paige and Cooper Whedon, Rebecca Harper, Robert McCallister, Scotty Wandell, Ryan Lafferty, and Luc Laurent.
Production
The series was created by producer Ken Olin and playwright Jon Robin Baitz. Greg Berlanti served as executive producer and showrunner during season one, continuing as executive producer. Mark B. Perry was showrunner for twelve episodes before leaving after the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike, replaced by Monica Owusu-Breen and Alison Schapker, who were later replaced by David Marshall Grant early in season four. After the pilot was picked up, several roles were recast. The family was originally the March family, with Betty Buckley cast as matriarch Iva March; the role was renamed Nora and recast with Sally Field. The character Kevin was originally named Bryan, played by Jonathan LaPaglia, who was also gay but married with a child and going through a custody battle; Bryan's child later appeared as Gabe. Kevin Walker received positive press for his depiction as a gay man, including on-screen kisses and a commitment ceremony with Scotty in the second-season finale, the first such ceremony on American network television between series regulars. The character Jonathan, Kitty's initial love interest, was originally cast with Dan Futterman but recast with Matthew Settle.
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