Ariel Winter is game for a Dunphy-Pritchett family reunion. Five years after bidding adieu to her beloved character in the long-running series "Modern Family," the actress—who portrayed the super-intelligent middle Dunphy daughter, Alex, across its 11-season span from 2009 to 2020—shared her thoughts on potentially revisiting the role in an exclusive interview with E! News. "I'd absolutely be open to it," Ariel revealed. "But ultimately, it's not my call. It's up to the decision-makers. If they reach out, I'm here."
When asked about her vision for Alex's future, should she return for a revival, given that her character ended the series by accepting a research position in Switzerland, Ariel reflected thoughtfully. "Alex had a myriad of fascinating interests," said the "Sofia the First" star. "They were all incredibly educational, intelligent, and amazing. I hope she's expanded her horizons in ways I know she's capable of."
"I envision her now as someone who's found her true self and put effort into discovering what she loves personally, because professionally, she's already accomplished so much," Ariel elaborated. While the 27-year-old admired Alex's growth throughout the series, she believed her character could have enjoyed "a more vibrant and fulfilling life." She added, "She could have diversified her experiences while still maintaining her career."
For Ariel, the growth she envisions for Alex mirrors her own journey. Her new role as Delaney in "POOLS"—a film that follows Kennedy (Odessa A'zion) as her life unravels after her father's unexpected death—marks a departure from any role she's tackled before. "I was seeking something fresh and different, a character far removed from what I'd played before," she said. "This was it. When I read the script, I thought, 'If this is done right, it could be incredibly fun.'"
Playing Kennedy's ex-best friend, who has just completed her sophomore year of college, required Ariel to find a connection with her character. "What resonates with me most is that everyone is growing and changing at that age," she shared. "I feel like I'm still evolving. I don't believe you ever truly stop."
While she relates to Delaney's "tough exterior," it took time for Ariel to uncover the deeper facets of her character. "I had to open myself up, learn, and figure out how to connect," she explained. "You draw from experiences with people in your life who remind you of that character. You think, 'I can use this person, this experience,' and then you build that person, becoming them for a while."
"POOLS" is currently playing in select theaters and will be released nationwide on September 5.
