Yellowjackets star Samantha Hanratty plays young Misty on the hit teen survival TV show, but this is far from the only series she’s had a great time working on. On the underrated 2000s fantasy TV show that holds up today, Pushing Daisies, audiences can catch a glimpse of Hanratty playing the child version of Chuck, portrayed by Anna Friel in adulthood. Hanratty spoke to Collider about her experience on the series and the fact that playing Misty and Chuck has impacted her work as an actress, and that she would return to the series if it came back.
Before she was Misty on Yellowjackets, Hanratty was on Pushing Daisies, which aired from 2007 to 2009, and though it was critically acclaimed, it ended up being canceled despite the innovative storytelling style. Following the story of Ned (Lee Pace), a piemaker with the ability to bring back the dead, the forbidden romance between Ned and Chuck is a huge part of the story. As the younger version of Chuck, Hanratty spoke about how it can be daunting to take on a part that a talented older actress is playing, but that this is what makes the work so rewarding.
The Yellowjackets Actress Is Open To Reprising Her Role
It’s been a long time since Pushing Daisies was canceled, but Hanratty has made it clear that returning to the role of Chuck is an option for her. Though Hanratty’s been a part of many different series throughout her life, from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody to Shameless, Pushing Daisies seems like the perfect series to revisit for the actress based on her comments:
“I’d love to come back on Pushing Daisies if they ever decided to bring that back because that was one of the best shows ever. Honestly. I think so. Bryan Fuller’s still a dear friend and I always tell him the second they want to do anything Pushing Daisies related, I’m there. I want to bring back Chuck.”
Source: Collider
Hanratty was far from the only cast member who had a lot of fun making Pushing Daisies, as series alums include Pace, Friel, Kristin Chenoweth, and Chi McBride. The ensemble had amazing chemistry, and this was a large part of what people loved about Pushing Daisies. Even in the flashbacks that Hanratty starred in, the essential spirit of the series comes through, making it obvious why Hanratty would be so quick to jump on board a potential revival.
Though fans and critics have been hoping for a return to the world of Pushing Daisies for a long time, nothing concrete has been reported, and it’s unlikely that this will materialize anytime soon. However, the Yellowjackets‘ star also discussed her ongoing friendship with the creator of Pushing Daisies, Bryan Fuller, which could one day pave the way for future collaborations. While there are a lot of moving parts when it comes to bringing back a cult hit like Pushing Daisies, having the creator and one of the stars on board is a good sign.
Title |
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score |
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
Pushing Daisies (2007–2009) |
96% |
95% |
Our Take On A Pushing Daisies Revival
This Beloved Show Deserves A Second Chance On The Air
It’s interesting to imagine what would happen if Pushing Daisies did come back and who, other than Hanratty, would be ready to jump on board the project. Many of the cast members, like Pace, have moved on to big projects, but it’s unlikely that they have forgotten their roots in the incredible series. Pushing Daisies might have been canceled after season 2, but the show was able to craft an ending that provided some satisfying moments for the characters, though there’s still a lot to wonder about when it comes to the series.
The unanswered questions that Pushing Daisies left open-ended sixteen years ago are a good reason to bring back this iconic series. There’s little question that audiences would flock to a revival, as interest and excitement surrounding the show have only grown stronger in recent years. Additionally, if Yellowjackets fans tune into a reboot of Pushing Daisies, the new take on the story wouldn’t struggle to find its audience. Regardless, it will always be fun to return to the world of Pushing Daisies, rewatching the seasons that do exist.