The Young and the Restless star Bryton James (Devon Hamilton) is keeping busy on and off the CBS soap. In a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the Emmy-winning actor opened up about how close he came to reviving the classic sitcom Family Matters in a whole new way.
Bryton James’ Revival Twist
James, who played Richie Crawford on the hit family comedy from Seasons 2 through 9, revealed that he “got pretty far along” with an idea to bring the series back as an animated project. “I’ve had an idea to take the show and turn it into an animated series,” he explained, sharing that the plan involved “taking the old episodes and modernizing them and kind of starting from scratch for the new generation.”
The actor added that he had even lined up a production company to finance the reboot, and his hope was to reunite original cast members — including Family Matters icon Jaleel White. “It’s sitting in Warner Bros.’ hands right now,” James told EW. “That plan is still kind of floating around out there, and I’m still trying to pursue it.”
According to the outlet, Warner Bros. Animation is aware of James’ pitch, though the project hasn’t moved forward beyond his interest. Still, James’s push for the series shows just how much affection he continues to have for the sitcom that first launched his acting career.
Family Matters
For those who may not remember, Family Matters originally aired from 1989 to 1998 on ABC before moving to CBS in its final season. A spinoff of Perfect Strangers, the show followed the Winslows, a middle-class Black family living in Chicago, and became a cornerstone of the popular TGIF lineup. It also introduced television audiences to unforgettable characters, including Reginald VelJohnson as family patriarch Carl Winslow and White as Steve Urkel, who quickly became a pop culture sensation.
Interestingly, White himself has expressed hesitation about any potential reboot. Just last year, he made it clear that if he ever revisited his beloved role, it would need to “advance the legacy” rather than serve as a “cash grab.”
An Impressive Legacy
James has been acting since childhood. Best known early in his career as Richie Crawford on Family Matters, he grew up in front of TV audiences during the show’s nine-season run. In 2004, James joined Y&R as Devon Hamilton, a role that has earned him multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and cemented his place as a fan favorite in Genoa City.
Over the years, James has also lent his voice to animated projects and made guest appearances in primetime, but his heart has remained firmly tied to daytime. Today, he continues to balance his successful soap career with other creative endeavors, including the dream of bringing Family Matters back to life for a new generation.
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