Sarah Jessica Parker to Reprise Role in 'The Family Stone' Sequel, Jean Smart Joins Cast
The follow-up film, titled 'The Families Stone,' will also see the return of several original cast members, with filming set for upstate New York.
Sarah Jessica Parker has officially signed on to reprise her role as Meredith Morton in the forthcoming sequel to the 2005 holiday film, "The Family Stone." The new movie, officially titled "The Families Stone," is set to begin shooting in upstate New York this fall.
Parker will be joined by several of her original co-stars, including Rachel McAdams, Claire Danes, Dermot Mulroney, and Craig T. Nelson. Emmy winner Jean Smart has also been confirmed to join the cast as a new character. Smart's casting comes following the death of original cast member Diane Keaton, who played Sybil Stone in the first film and passed away in October 2025 at the age of 79.
The production company, Searchlight Pictures, announced the news via an Instagram post, welcoming Smart to the film. The logline for "The Families Stone" reads, "Twenty years after their mother’s passing, the Stone family reunites for Christmas only to face the season’s biggest surprise: their father has unexpectedly invited the woman he’s fallen in love with (Smart) to meet the family."
The original "The Family Stone" followed Meredith Morton's reluctant journey to meet her boyfriend Everett Stone's (Mulroney) unconventional family for Christmas. The film became a holiday classic over the years, with fans long hoping for a follow-up.
Thomas Bezucha, the writer-director of the original film, spoke to CNN after Keaton's death, expressing his grief for both the character of Sybil Stone and the actress. He noted that writing the sequel has been a way to honor Keaton's memory and ensure the rest of the cast is well-represented.
Jean Smart, a recent recipient of an Emmy for Lead Comedy Actress for her role in "Hacks," will be a new addition to the "Family Stone" universe. This achievement made her the first female performer to win an Emmy for every season of a show, marking her fifth win for her portrayal of Deborah Vance. The actress is only the second person in Emmy history to accomplish this feat, following Bill Cosby's wins for "I Spy."