LLOYD I don’t think it’s too often that you have actors feeling the same things the characters they portray are feeling. But this was the apotheosis of that because we had everybody feeling a tremendous sadness about walking away from this family we created, and the characters were doing exactly the same thing. So there was a lot of very real emotion coming from our actors.

LEVITAN Through the years, we always knew how lucky we were: the way the show came together, the accolades, the success and the fact that we had a really happy set. Feeling it come to an end was a sad notion for us, but at the same time, I can’t complain for one second. It was a dream run, and to protect the legacy of the show, it was time to let it go.

Do you feel the finale has a different resonance now than when you shot it, before the coronavirus crisis had started to have a widespread impact on Americans? [The series finished filming on Feb. 21.]

LEVITAN The most glaring thing is that giant group hug. That’s not something you see in real life these days, so it feels like we shot that 20 years ago. But I can’t tell you how many times through the years people have thanked us because we helped them through a tough time, be it a death, a divorce, an illness or losing a job. I love the idea that during this dark time in the world’s history, hopefully our finale can provide people with a little respite.

LLOYD In one way, it’s nice that people will be home and may be inclined to watch the show with their families one last time. People are reacquainting themselves with their families, good and bad, and may be clinging to them more than they have in the past. That’s certainly a theme of the finale, so I think there’s a resonance.

Would you say Jay’s evolution as a character — he now embraces both Mitchell and Cameron as his sons, and he’s learning Spanish so he can converse with Gloria — reflects some cultural changes that have happened in America since the show started?