When much loved TV show Roseanne returns to TV screens this year it will feature a new character. The Conner’s grandson Mark, played by Ames McNamara, will be a 9-year old sometimes likes to wear girl’s clothes.

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Early media reports suggested that the character would be gay or transgender but Sara Gilbert, who plays Darlene, says Mark will simply be a boy who likes wearing dresses.

Gilbert, who also serves as the Executive Producer of the rebooted show, told Entertainment Weekly that Mark’s story is explored over several of the show’s new episodes.

“He’s not a transgender character. He’s a little boy. He’s based on a few kids in my life that are boys who dress in more traditionally feminine clothing. He’s too young to be gay and he doesn’t identify as transgender, but he just likes wearing that kind of clothing and that’s where he is at this point in his life.” Gilbert said.

“There is an episode that addresses it. He dresses that way throughout the show, but there’s one episode that focuses on it more heavily. We did a lot of research because we wanted to make sure and do it properly. This character is not transgender.”

The show sees all of the surviving cast members return to their roles, with the exception of Sarah Chalke who play a new character.

Chalke took over the role of eldest daughter Becky Conner in the show’s sixth season when the original actor Lecy Goranson department the cast to go to college. In the show’s eighth season both actors appeared playing the role, while only Chalke was in the show’s ninth season.

When the show returns Chalke will play a new character, a middle class woman named Andrea. Andrea hires Becky to be her surrogate.

Also confirmed to be making appearances in the show’s return are Johnny Galecki, Sandra Bernhard, and Natalie West – who played Crystal.

Roseanne returns to TV screens in the USA in March. 

OIP Staff