Modern Family was a popular ABC sitcom that aired from 2009 to 2020. The show centered around three different families that were part of the same extended family. One of those families was composed of Mitchell Pritchett and Cameron Tucker, and their adopted daughter Lily. Viewers got to see Lily grow up before their eyes, from an infant to a young girl. So how old was actress Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who played Lily, when Modern Family ended its 11 season run in 2020? Let’s take a closer look.
When Did Modern Family Premiere?
Modern Family first premiered on ABC on September 23, 2009. The show was an immediate hit with critics and audiences alike. It became one of ABC’s most successful comedies.
How Old Was Lily in Season 1?
Lily was adopted as a baby from Vietnam by Mitchell and Cameron in the first season. The character was played in season 1 by twins Jaden and Ella Hiller. As infants, Lily was approximately 1 year old when she joined the Pritchett-Tucker family.
Recasting of Lily
For seasons 2-11, beginning in 2010, the role of Lily was recast and played by Aubrey Anderson-Emmons. Anderson-Emmons was around 3 years old when she took over the role.
Why Was Lily Recast?
It is common for baby or toddler roles to be recast as the character ages. As Lily grew into a young girl, producers felt they needed an older child actor who could handle more storylines and dialogue.
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons as Lily
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons was born in 2007. She was cast as Lily when she was around 3 years old and played the role for the remainder of the series. Anderson-Emmons quickly became a fan favorite as she grew up on camera.
Lily’s Age Throughout the Series
Here is a rundown of Lily’s approximate age in each season of Modern Family:
| Season | Year | Lily’s Age |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2009-2010 | 1 |
| Season 2 | 2010-2011 | 3 |
| Season 3 | 2011-2012 | 4 |
| Season 4 | 2012-2013 | 5 |
| Season 5 | 2013-2014 | 6 |
| Season 6 | 2014-2015 | 7 |
| Season 7 | 2015-2016 | 8 |
| Season 8 | 2016-2017 | 9 |
| Season 9 | 2017-2018 | 10 |
| Season 10 | 2018-2019 | 11 |
| Season 11 | 2019-2020 | 12 |
As you can see, Lily progressed from an infant to a young girl throughout the course of the series. By the final 11th season, actress Aubrey Anderson-Emmons was 12 years old.
When Did Modern Family End?
The eleventh and final season of Modern Family aired from September 2019 to April 2020 on ABC.
The series finale aired on April 8, 2020.
How Old Was Lily When Modern Family Ended?
When Modern Family aired its series finale in April 2020, Lily was 12 years old both in the show’s storyline and in real life.
Actress Aubrey Anderson-Emmons was born in 2007. When production ended on Modern Family in 2020, Anderson-Emmons was around 12 years old.
So in the final episode, fictional character Lily was approximately 12 years old, and the actress who played her, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, was also about 12 years old.
Lily’s Story Arc and Growth
Over 11 seasons, viewers got to see Lily grow up before their eyes:
- As a baby being adopted in Season 1
- As a toddler meeting her extended family from seasons 2-5
- As a young girl from seasons 6-11
Some key points in Lily’s story arc and growth:
- Learning to walk, talk, and read
- Attending her first day of school
- Riding a bike and playing sports
- Putting on school plays
- Developing her personality and interests
- Bonding with her friends and family
Viewers got to see 11 years in the life of Lily, from baby to pre-teen. Her story arc offered a heartwarming perspective on growing up and family.
Lily in the Final Season
In the show’s final seasons, Lily continued to grow up and mature:
- She exhibited her artistic talents and intelligence
- She advised her parents Mitchell and Cameron on their life choices
- She prepared to start middle school and dealt with anxiety
- She went on adventures with her family members
In the series finale, a 12-year-old Lily was finishing elementary school and transitioning to middle school. This marked the ending of her own childhood, just as Modern Family was ending its successful run on ABC.
Conclusion
When Modern Family ended in April 2020 after 11 seasons, the character of Lily Pritchett-Tucker was approximately 12 years old.
Actress Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who played Lily from seasons 2-11, was also around 12 years old when the show ended production in 2020.
Viewers got to see the character of Lily grow up before their eyes, from an adopted infant to a smart, artistic pre-teen. Her journey from baby to middle schooler offered heart and humor over 11 seasons of the hit show.
So when the Pritchett-Tucker family took their final bow, young Lily was ready to step into adolescence, even as the show stepped into TV history. After 11 years, Modern Family remains one of the most popular family sitcoms of all time.