Bones was a dramedy crime procedural television series that debuted on Fox in 2005 and ran until 2017. Over the course of 12 seasons, the program broadcast 246 episodes. The series was loosely based on the life and novels of Kathy Reichs, a forensic anthropologist who also served as a producer on the show. Temperance Brennan, the title heroine, was named after the main character of Reichs’ crime fiction series. The play on words is reversed in the Bones television world, where Dr. Brennan creates popular mystery books featuring a fictitious forensic scientist named Kathy Reichs.
Each episode of Bones centered on an FBI-led investigation into a mystery surrounding human remains that FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) brought to forensic anthropologist Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel). While the investigations drove the episodic stories in the series, it was the characters themselves, their will-they-or-won’t-they relationships, and the dramas that were the driving force behind the series’ popularity with fans for 12 seasons.
Indeed, even after 12 years, the series was so popular and its fandom so dedicated that, after only 7 years off the air, the possibility of a revival had already been raised. Series creator Hart Hanson was asked whether a revival had been teased, and he revealed that the cast and creators are still in constant contact. All are interested in returning to the characters they played so successfully for so long, on one condition: the story must be perfect (besides navigating Fox’s ownership of the series). While fans wait for a potential revival, let’s take a look at the cast of Bones and where their careers have taken them since the series finale aired in 2017.
Emily Deschanel as Temperance “Bones” Brennan
Emily Deschanel was the face of Bones, as she played the eponymous Temperance “Bones” Brennan. Before Bones, Deschanel already had a substantial career in television and film. She got her start on projects like Rose Red and Easy, which were released in 2002 and 2003, respectively. After her run on the Fox series, Deschanel went on to guest-star in multiple television series, including The Cleveland Show, BoJack Horseman, The Simpsons, and The Rookie. In 2019, she even appeared in Season 4 of Animal Kingdom as Angela Kane.
Deschanel Continues To Find TV Success and Is Now Looking to Movies
Deschanel portrayed Dr. Suzanne Mathis in Netflix’s 2022 8-episode miniseries Devil in Ohio. The show tells the story of what happens to Dr. Mathis when she takes in a strange cult escapee. Her reality is quickly thrown upside down, as the girl’s presence threatens to split her entire family apart. More recently, it appears Emily Deschanel is focusing on film, with 2024’s ReEntry, a sci-fi romance, earning her some deserved indie cred. She is currently filming for an upcoming drama, actor Amelia Brantley’s feature-length debut, Monkey Bread, in which Deschanel will play a struggling actor who falls into a babysitting job for one of her idols.
David Boreanaz as Seeley Booth
David Boreanaz is arguably as iconic as Emily Deschanel when it comes to Bones. Before co-leading Bones, David Boreanaz was known for his portrayal of Angel, a vampire with a soul, in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spinoff, Angel. Between this long-running character and getting cast as Seeley Booth on Bones, Boreanaz did a few films and television shows, like Mr. Fix It, The Mighty Macs, Full Circle, and Sleepy Hollow. In 2008, he even lent his voice to Justice League: The New Frontier as The Green Lantern, before later playing himself in episodes of Family Guy and American Dad.
Boreanaz’s Phenomenal Television Run
Since the conclusion of Bones, Boreanaz has had only one major project, SEAL Team, where he plays Jason Hayes, the leader of an elite Navy SEAL team. The series has been a success for Boreanaz, running for five seasons on CBS. After relocating from its original home on the CBS Network to Paramount+ during its 6th season, SEAL Team recently returned for its seventh and final season, which concluded on October 6, 2024, with an impressive 114 episodes. While Boreanaz is currently not tied to any upcoming projects, the fan-favorite actor is likely to continue finding success in TV.
T.J. Thyne as Jack Hodgins
Before being cast on Bones, T.J. Thyne had a career as a serial guest star. His long list of appearances included guest stints on the original Charmed, Boston Legal, CSI: New York, and Without a Trace. In Bones, Thyne portrayed quirky forensic entomologist Jack Hodgins, who loved conspiracy theories. Over time, his character utilized his skills in other forensic areas, making him invaluable to the show’s premise.
Thyne Sticks to What He Knows Best
After Bones’ ending, Thyne went on to guest-star in more shows, including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Rookie, where he portrayed one-off characters. In 2022, he landed the role of Gordy Willis in the biographical television miniseries The Offer, which explores the creation and production of Francis Ford Coppola’s iconic gangster movie The Godfather. Most recently, in 2024, Thyne followed up his leading role in the limited series with appearances in both NCIS and Chicago Med.
Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro
Michaela Conlin played Angela Montenegro, a forensic reconstruction artist, in Bones. Before Bones, Conlin made a handful of appearances across various television shows, including guest appearances on JAG and The D.A., as well as a lead role in MDs. Following Bones’ TV run, Conlin went on to star in series such as Here and Now, For All Mankind, and Dollface. In 2018, she portrayed Sarah Nguyen on the hit television show Yellowstone.
Conlin Embraces Her Comedic Side
Conlin’s most recent credits include the April 2023 release One True Loves, starring Phillipa Soo and Simu Liu, which debuted to a less-than-stellar critical reception. She also had a prominent role in Netflix’s Eric Andre vehicle, Bad Trip, where she played Maria Li; the outrageous comedy proved to be a hit with both audiences and critics, with Conlin more than holding her own in the sidesplitting farce. Conlin continues to be a consistent presence on TV, as she is set to appear in an episode of A Man on the Inside.
Tamara Taylor as Camille Saroyan
Tamara Taylor has built a career portraying diverse TV characters with memorable qualities. Her roles in shows such as Party of Five, City of Angels, Hidden Hills, and Sex, Love & Secrets are legendary, doubly so when you consider what would come later. In Bones, Taylor portrayed Dr. Camille Saroyan, a forensic pathologist and the head of the Forensic Division, with more than 200 unique episode appearances.
Taylor Says Hello To Marvel and Continues To Thrive
After the conclusion of Bones, Taylor went on to portray characters in other shows, including Altered Carbon, Snowfall, and October Faction. In 2020, she was cast as Sibyl in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where she made history trying to prevent the formation of the organization. Taylor played Angela Wheatley, the secretive wife of criminal leader Richard Wheatley (Dylan McDermott), in the 2021 television series Law & Order: Organized Crime. She also headlined the 2022 arthouse romance film Diary of a Spy, in which she portrayed a disgraced spy seeking redemption for her past misdeeds. She currently has one project in post-production, the feature-length thriller Madonna Non Grata.
John Francis Daley as Lance Sweets
John Francis Daley began his career in 1999 with the role of Sam Weir on the cult classic TV show Freaks and Geeks. After the show’s untimely cancellation, Daly went on to star in films and television shows such as Boston Public, Waiting…, and The Geena Davis Show. In 2007, he was cast as Dr. Lance Sweets, an FBI agent and psychologist, on Bones, where he quickly became a fan favorite.
Daley Shifted His Focus to Behind the Camera
When his time on Bones came to a close, Daley actually chose to leave for other opportunities. He went on to direct and portray a small part in the movie Vacation. Daley portrayed characters in the films Game Night and 5-25-77 and in the sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, but his most memorable achievement comes from being off-screen.
Daley wrote the screenplay for Spider-Man: Homecoming, and while he still acts, he has since shifted his focus to writing and directing, often in collaboration with cohort Jonathan Goldstein, as seen in the 2023 successful adaptation of the titular tabletop game, Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. The dynamic duo will next direct the upcoming action-adventure film Mayday, starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, alongside several other projects currently in development.
Where To Watch ‘Bones’
Fox
Whether or not the revival is going to happen, there is never a bad time to go back and revisit the entire series. The great thing is that there are plenty of options for streaming all 12 seasons of Bones. Prime Video, Hulu, and Peacock all host all 12 seasons of Bones. Of course, with the news of Hulu and Disney merging, the show’s availability may change in the future.
Release Date
2005 – 2017
Network
FOX
Showrunner
Hart Hanson
Directors
Ian Toynton, Dwight H. Little, Chad Lowe, Jeannot Szwarc, Allan Kroeker, Kate Woods, Steven DePaul, Tim Southam, Jeff Woolnough, Milan Cheylov, Randall Zisk, Alex Chapple, François Velle, Jesús Salvador Treviño, Tony Wharmby, Craig Ross Jr., Kevin Hooks, Michael Lange, Sanford Bookstaver, Allison Liddi-Brown, David Grossman, Emile B. Levisetti, Greg Yaitanes, Brad Turner
Writers
Hart Hanson, Michael Peterson, Dean Lopata, Jonathan Collier, Keith Foglesong, Janet Lin, Elizabeth Benjamin, Pat Charles, Josh Berman, Scott Williams, Hilary Weisman Graham, Noah Hawley, Lyla Oliver, Karyn Usher, Dave Thomas, Janet Tamaro, Sanford Golden, Steve Blackman, Joe Hortua, Karen Wyscarver, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Emily Silver, Yael Zinkow, Greg Ball
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