Almost Family is an American drama television series that aired on the Fox network from September 2019 to May 2020. Developed by Jason Katims, the series is an adaptation of the Australian television drama Sisters (2017). The narrative centers on Dr. Alex Burroughs (portrayed by Megalyn Echikunwoke), a renowned fertility specialist who discovers that she has fathered 12 children through the use of an experimental fertility clinic she founded. The series follows the lives of these young adults as they grapple with the revelation of their shared paternity and seek to forge relationships with each other and their biological father.
Production and broadcast
- Creator: Jason Katims
- Country of origin: United States
- Original language: English
- Number of seasons: 1
- Number of episodes: 20
- Original network: Fox
- Original release: September 30, 2019 – May 4, 2020
Main cast
- Megalyn Echikunwoke as Dr. Alex Burroughs
- Liana Liberato as Lexi Rizzoli, one of Alex’s biological children
- Asher Angel as Shane McAllister, another of Alex’s biological children
- Other notable cast members include Kelsey Chow, Emma Caymares, and Kyle Massey, portraying various members of the extended family.
Premise and themes The series explores themes of family dynamics, identity, and the ethical implications of assisted reproductive technologies. By focusing on a non-traditional family structure—referred to in the title as an “almost family”—the show examines how biological connections intersect with emotional bonds, responsibility, and personal agency.
Reception Critical response was mixed, with particular praise for its ensemble cast and the handling of complex familial relationships, while some reviewers criticized the series for uneven pacing and melodramatic elements. Ratings declined over the course of its first season, leading to its cancellation by Fox after one season.
Legacy Although short-lived, Almost Family contributed to ongoing conversations in television about unconventional family narratives and the representation of fertility-related storylines. The series remains available for streaming on select platforms and has been referenced in discussions of modern family drama television.
