Fans of How I Met Your Mother received unexpected news with the announcement of a spinoff series called How I Met Your Father, which has been ordered by Hulu and will star Hilary Duff. She will play Sophie, who will be telling her son the story of how she met his father. Like How I Met Your Mother, most of the series will take place via flashbacks, only this time, the flashbacks will be in the year 2021 as Sophie and her friends navigate the challenges of finding true love amidst dating apps and an ever-changing world.
Many fans of Hilary Duff and fans of How I Met Your Mother are understandably excited about the announcement of this spinoff series, while others feel more anxious given the original show’s divisive ending. Some of the best fan reactions to the news can be found on Twitter.
LEGENDARY!
Barney Stinson’s “Legen–wait for it–dary! Legendary!” line is one of the most memorable from the original show. It encapsulates the mix of epic-ness and absurdity that often defines Barney’s character, along with some of the show’s best episodes.
This reference will not be lost on any How I Met Your Mother fan. Hopefully How I Met Your Father will prove to be just as legendary as its popular predecessor.
The HIMYM Cast’s Musical Talents
How I Met Your Mother‘s cast was quirky and talented in more ways than one. This clip of Neil Patrick Harris and Jason Segel launching into a performance from Les Misérables during an interview is a perfect example of this.
These talents and this ability to have fun were used in the show as well, such as during Barney’s musical number “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit.” Even with Hilary Duff at the forefront, it will be difficult for How I Met Your Father‘s cast to top the cast of How I Met Your Mother.
The Lizzie McGuire Update
Lizzie McGuire fans were devastated when the revival show on Disney+ was canceled before it ever came to fruition. Disney was criticized by many fans for being afraid to move forward with the more adult tone of the revival series while Disney wanted a more family and kid-friendly show.
Now some are hopeful that How I Met Your Father will almost be like the more adult revival of Lizzie McGuire that was in the works. If nothing else, How I Met Your Father‘s success could open the door for the Lizzie McGuire revival at Hulu.
80 Seasons
How I Met Your Mother aired for 9 seasons. How I Met Your Father has only been ordered for a 10-episode run, but that hasn’t stopped ecstatic fans from hoping for multiple seasons.
While 80 seasons won’t happen, there is certainly a chance that the spinoff will run for more than 10 episodes if it is well-received by its audience. The original show certainly did well with its extensive run of 9 seasons.
Hilary Duff Is The Real Winner Here
Even though the Lizzie McGuire revival was canceled, things are turning out well for Hilary Duff. Not only will she be the star of How I Met Your Father, but she will also be one of the series’ producers.
Her talents in front of and behind the camera are already piquing a great deal of interest in the show. Television studios recognize Duff’s talents and the strong fanbase behind her, factors which have certainly led to trusting her to play an integral part in finally bringing this spinoff to life.
Only Watching For Hilary Duff
After the divisive ending to How I Met Your Mother, many fans are hesitant about the prospect of a spinoff and not even willing to give it a chance. Some fans changed their tune, though, when they found out that Hilary Duff would be the series’ star.
It’s clear that she still holds a lot of star power. Those who grew up watching Lizzie McGuire still have overwhelmingly positive feelings when it comes to the actress. The prospect of seeing her lead her own show again is enough for some fans to invest in How I Met Your Father, regardless of how the original series ended.
Mamma Mia
A title like How I Met Your Father is inevitably going to pave the way for some quality jokes. One of the best is that this story has already been told in the Mamma Mia movies.
In all seriousness, though, if the spinoff is anything like How I Met Your Mother, it may end up incorporating some beloved musical energy. It will be difficult to top Barney’s “Nothing Suits Me Like a Suit” song. Then again, Hilary Duff is quite talented and there is no denying that her fans would love to see her tackle a musical number within the new show.
How The Show Will End
How I Met Your Father will inevitably provide commentary on the modern-day dating culture. Some are already having fun with this concept by imagining her not falling in love with a man at all and going the artificial insemination route instead.
Just like the ending to How I Met Your Mother, this ending would likely disappoint most of the audience, although it would have to be applauded for its subversion of expectations and the commentary it does provide on today’s dating culture.
Greta Gerwig & Hilary Duff Are Both Fabulous
This is not the first time a How I Met Your Mother spinoff has been in the works. One was on the way to be made several years ago, with Greta Gerwig heavily involved in it. Some can’t help but compare the show that might’ve been versus the show that is now becoming a reality.
Instead of arguing whether the Greta Gerwig or Hilary Duff version will be better, it is better to simply celebrate both of these talented women as they are equally fabulous.
Swarkles Endgame
One of the things many fans detested about the How I Met Your Mother ending was Barney and Robin’s divorce. After spending practically the whole final season on their wedding weekend, many fans felt betrayed by seeing the characters divorce each other in the series finale. It arguably made all the time spent on the wedding and all the buildup with their relationship feel less meaningful.
Beyond using a similar premise, it is currently unclear how or if How I Met Your Father will tie into the original show. Nevertheless, fans of Robin and Barney — whose relationship can be known as Swarkles — are already trying to figure out ways the new show can bring their favorite couple back together.
