ABC's
Brothers & Sisters has become somewhat of a family business for actors
Patricia Wettig and Ken Olin. Wettig appears regularly on the show as Holly Harper, while husband Olin is an executive producer. Their son, 24-year-old Cliff Olin, works as a story editor on the series, and has penned several episodes, while their younger daughter Roxie tried out for the part of Holly's daughter, Rebecca (a role that ultimately went to
Emily VanCamp).
"There's only so much nepotism we can do," Olin told
USA Today, acknowledging the extent of his family's involvement with the show.
Olin's work on
Brothers & Sisters went beyond providing production services this season when he cast himself as Wettig's onscreen love interest, David Caplan. The character first appeared on the episode, "Holy Matrimony!" and was seen again on the subsequent episodes, "Feast of the Epiphany" and "Compromises."
Olin asked for Wettig's permission before he cast himself in the role, but the actress insists that she “wanted him to do it. He says he's going to do these things all the time, and he never does. He almost played Sarah's [
Rachel Griffiths] boyfriend."
In "Compromises," which aired last Sunday, some photos of the couple that were taken in real life were used to establish character history, as well as in relation to Rebecca's possible paternity. The episode also had Olin and Wettig sharing a kiss onscreen.
"I was kind of an animal, wasn't I?” Olin asked, to which Wettig responded, “He wants me to say he was. Yes, honey, yes! You were an animal."
"Compromises" was
Brothers & Sisters last pre-strike episode, but now that a settlement has been reached, Olin is planning to churn out five additional ones before the summer break. While he is looking forward to finishing the season, he is most distressed over spending time away from the family dog, Cocoa.
Olin's separation anxiety is causing him to strongly consider writing Cocoa into the show.
"There we are on nepotism again," Wettig said. "This means Cocoa will get a little photo card to get onto the Disney lot."
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: USA Today
(Image Courtesy of USA Today)