Roseanne type TV Show network ABC genre Sitcom

The Conners are coming back to TV — and the cast of Roseanne just added a new face to their family.

EW has confirmed that the revival of the hit sitcom (set to return in 2018) has added its first new cast member: Ames McNamara. The newcomer will play the role of Mark, the 8-year-old son of Darlene (Sara Gilbert) and David (Johnny Galecki).

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McNamara joins returning members of the original cast including Roseanne Barr (Roseanne), John Goodman (Dan), Laurie Metcalf (Jackie), Michael Fishman (D.J.), Lecy Goranson (Becky), and Gilbert as Darlene. Galecki, who now stars on CBS’ Big Bang Theory, is still in talks to return to his role as Darlene’s husband.

McNamara’s character takes the name Mark in tribute to his dad David’s older brother, played by Glenn Quinn in the original series. The actor died in 2002. The new Mark is said to be more of the sensitive type than his rebellious namesake.

Gilbert, who is poised to star in and executive-produce the revival, told EW that she felt the time was right to put a working-class family back on TV. “That’s a voice that’s not been spoken for enough in this country and we feel hopefully that we can be a uniting force in that way,” she said.

The eight-episode revival of the Roseanne revival is set to air in early 2018 on ABC.

TVLine first reported the casting news.

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