TV Modern Family finale: Cast says goodbye in emotional behind-the-scenes photos The two-part farewell airs April 8 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. By Dan Snierson Dan Snierson Dan Snierson is a former senior writer at Entertainment Weekly. He left EW in 2023. EW's editorial guidelines Published on April 7, 2020 12:45PM EDT Photo: Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 01 of 15 Modern Family signs off Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television In late February, a famous family found itself down to its final farewell. The cast and producers of Modern Family filmed the very last episode of its 11-season run — No. 250, for those who like big, clean numbers — capping the mockumentary comedy's celebrated, Emmy-studded run. It was a tough task to bid adieu to the Dunphys, Pritchetts, and Tuckers after all this time, and emotions were running understandably high for the cast. "I hope people will forgive us for breaking character a bit, because it was actually a little tricky to delineate," Ty Burrell, a.k.a. Phil, told EW. "[The finale] really has to do with that feeling that this chapter of this family is over. This magical period in their lives won't be the same anymore, and people are wrestling with a lot of the same feelings we were wrestling with." You can experience some of those feelings secondhand right here: Photographer Joe Pugliese was on hand to capture the colorful behind-the-scenes emotions in black and white, and the following images document the cast and producers savoring their last laughs (and shedding a few tears). After you compose yourself, check out the one-hour series finale (Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET/PT, ABC) to see how the sentimental send-off turned out in front of the cameras. 02 of 15 Rico Rodriguez (Manny), Ariel Winter (Alex), Nolan Gould (Luke), Ty Burrell (Phil), Julie Bowen (Claire), Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons), Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell), and Eric Stonestreet (Cameron) catch up between takes Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 03 of 15 Julie Bowen confers with Modern crew members Trey Clinesmith and John Stradling Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 04 of 15 Co-creator Steven Levitan offers direction to Ferguson, Stonestreet, and guest star Elizabeth Banks (Sal) Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 05 of 15 Ferguson and Stonestreet get in tune Joe Pugliese/Twentieth Century Fox Television 06 of 15 Co-creator Christopher Lloyd observes the action with Jeremy Maguire (Joe) Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 07 of 15 Gail Mancuso (director of the finale's second half) helms the action in front of Maguire Joe Pugliese/Twentieth Century Fox Television 08 of 15 Gould and Sarah Hyland share a last laugh Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 09 of 15 Why are the Tuckers surprised by this Pritchett-Dunphy selfie? You'll find out. Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 10 of 15 Sofia Vergara leans on Ed O'Neill for emotional support Joe Pugliese/Twentieth Century Fox Television 11 of 15 Uh-oh, here come the tears: Burrell hugs Vergara after the final shot Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 12 of 15 Gould is consoled by Hyland and Winter Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 13 of 15 Filming may have ended, but the hugs and applause have not Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 14 of 15 The grand patriarch, about to exit Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television 15 of 15 Once more, in color! Joe Pugliese for Twentieth Century Fox Television