After being gone from the show for seven years, Jimmi Simpson confirms he is returning for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16. Simpson has a recurring role in the long-running comedy series as Liam McPoyle, a member of the creepy and incestuous family who first came into Mac and Charlie’s lives during elementary school and are seen frequently contending with the Paddy’s Pug Gang. The McPoyles have done everything from taken the Gang hostage to nearly having a wedding breaking the family bloodline resulting in Liam losing an eye.
While speaking exclusively with Screen Rant to discuss his work in the drama The Starling Girl, Jimmi Simpson confirmed he would be returning for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16. Though not offering many details on how he and his brother, Nate Mooney’s Ryan McPoyle, return to the fold, the star teased it will be a “ridiculous” appearance from the fan-favorite characters. See what Simpson shared in the quotes and video below:
Oh yes, it’s coming. I was with Charlie for his movie, Fool’s Paradise, and he said the edit’s quite ridiculous. I was like, “I haven’t done this in eight years. Who know if I will be able to do it again? I’m getting weird!”
Why The McPoyles Return Is So Exciting For Sunny Fans
Since their debut in the show’s season 1 finale, the McPoyle family have been considered one of the keystones for much of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s odder sensibilities during its earlier run. Going from joking about the family being incestuous to outright showing the family being with one another and detailing their lengthy bloodline, the recurring characters are one element that, through most other lenses, would be detestable or dramatic, but instead has proven hilarious in their various appearances.
Given the family typically appeared at least once a season for much of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia‘s run, a seven-year absence has been largely surprising for those keen to see the McPoyles return to cause havoc for the Paddy’s Gang. Their last appearance, which pitted Liam against Bill Ponderosa in a trial over the loss of his eye at his and Maureen’s attempted wedding, not only remained a funny return, but also featured the return of Guillermo del Toro in a cameo role as McPoyle patriarch, Pappy.
The recently released It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 16 trailer did tease the returns of both Liam and Ryan, seemingly as employees at a bowling alley the Paddy’s Gang happen to be visiting. Whether this results in another full-on catastrophe or an awkward reunion is unclear, but Simpson’s tease of a “ridiculous” return is sure to keep fans of the series excited leading up to its June 7 premiere.
