There’s no denying that Johnny Galecki is currently in demand. Along with his starring role as Leonard Hofstadter on CBS’s The Big Bang Theory, he will likely appear in the upcoming revival of Roseanne. Variety reported on Sunday afternoon that Galecki is currently in talks with ABC about reprising his role from the ABC sitcom.
Galecki appeared on Roseanne as David Healy from Season 4 until Season 9. Throughout his run on the series, David was in an on-again-off-again relationship with Roseanne’s daughter Darlene, played by Sara Gilbert. The two eventually get married after Darlene learns that she’s pregnant. A shocking twist in the original finale revealed that David does not actually end up with Darlene, but instead is romantically involved with her sister Becky, who was played by both Lecy Goranson and Sarah Chalke throughout the series.
ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey spoke about the potential of Galecki reprising his role at the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday. “Those conversations are still in progress,” he promised. Original cast members Gilbert, Roseanne Barr, Laurie Metcalf, Alicia Goranson, Michael Fishman and John Goodman are all confirmed to reprise their roles for the upcoming series.
TVLine reported in back in July that ABC was looking for actors to play Darlene and David’s children. It was confirmed that the twist of the relationship between David and Becky would be ignored and that he really did have a relationship with Darlene after all. While it’s assumed that if Galecki chooses to revive his role that he and Darlene will be divorced, at least David’s presence will be incorporated into the show with the addition of their children with or without Galecki.
While Galecki’s presence on the series is still questionable, many fans were surprised to learn that Goodman would be returning as Roseanne’s husband Dan. During the final season of the original series, Roseanne revealed that Dan has passed away. TVGuide.com reported that Goodman will definitely revive the role and that Dan is very much alive in the new series. “I wouldn’t say that [the revival] is ignoring the events of the finale, but I can confirm that Dan is definitely still alive,” Dungey told reporters at the event.
Galecki’s other television credits include a stint on NBC’s short-lived sitcom American Dreamer and guest appearances on Blossom, My Name in Earl, My Boys and Entourage. He has appeared in many films including Suicide Kings, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Hancock and In Time.
The Roseanne revival will premiere on ABC for a limited 10th season in 2018.