Jean Smart Has Joined The Families Stone Cast

The Emmy-winning actress is set to join the cast for the upcoming sequel to the 2005 film The Family Stone.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Comedy

Vintage film reel and evergreen sprigs in a deep green and gold palette, evoking a festive holiday film sequel.
Jean Smart has joined the cast of 'The Families Stone,' a sequel to the 2005 film 'The Family Stone' slated to begin production in 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Jean Smart has officially joined the ensemble of The Families Stone, the sequel to the 2005 original film The Family Stone. Searchlight Pictures is producing the project, which will see the Stone family reunite for the holidays.

Why it matters

The sequel picks up two decades after the original film as the Stone family comes together for Christmas. The story centers on the father introducing a new romantic partner to his family.

The sequel arrives twenty years after the 2005 original film's release. Jean Smart joins a returning cast of ten, including Rachel McAdams, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Luke Wilson.

The players

Jean Smart

She is an acclaimed actress who recently won an Emmy for every season of the television series Hacks.

Tom Bezucha

He is the writer and director who first announced the development of the sequel in 2025.

Searchlight Pictures

This is the production company responsible for bringing the sequel to the big screen.

The details

Writer-director Tom Bezucha revealed the project in 2025, which features the Stone family gathering for a holiday reunion. The production is slated to begin filming in New York in the fall of 2026.

Timeline

  1. The original film, The Family Stone, was released in 2005.

  2. Writer-director Tom Bezucha first revealed the sequel project in 2025.

  3. Production for the film is scheduled to begin in New York in the fall of 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This project continues the Hollywood trend of revisiting beloved mid-2000s comedies to tap into generational nostalgia. It follows the narrative continuity established by the 2005 release of The Family Stone.

Fans can look forward to the theatrical release of the sequel following the start of production in late 2026. Future updates will clarify specific release dates and streaming availability.

The takeaway

The return of a large ensemble cast for a long-awaited sequel highlights the enduring appeal of holiday-themed family dramas. Viewers can revisit the original film to refresh their memory of the Stone family dynamics before the new installment arrives.

Further reading

For more on upcoming projects in the genre, visit the Comedy section.

Live Poll

Do you enjoy watching movie sequels released decades after the original film?