Neil Patrick Harris has been confirmed to reprise his beloved role of Barney Stinson in upcoming episodes of Hulu’s How I Met Your Father, Deadline reported.
The 49-year-old actor – who originally played the “series womanizer” on How I Met Your Mother for nine seasons – made a surprise cameo appearance at the premiere of the spin-off’s second season, which aired Tuesday .
The exciting news of the star’s reprisal comes shortly after reports that his Netflix series Uncoupled will not be renewed after the first season was released in July last year.
Big return! Neil Patrick Harris, 49, has been confirmed to reprise his role as Barney Stinson on the spin-off How I Met Your Father after making a surprise cameo in the season two premiere; seen in April 2022 in NYC
Much to the delight of fans, Neil made a surprise appearance towards the end of the first episode of How I Met Your Father season 2.
After a year-long hiatus, young Sophie, played by Hilary Duff, was seen leaving a panicked message to her mother, Lori: “I think I’m dating my dad!”
Distracted, Duff crashes into the back of the car. She jumps out as the other driver slowly gets out, tension building as the camera slowly pans up from the feet to suddenly show Neil casually adjusting his suit.
After a quick look at his car, he yells “Dude!” just as the rear bumper of his expensive Audi hits the road.
Though his cameo was brief, TV Line reported that the Emmy-winning actress will make additional appearances throughout the 20-episode second season.
Surprise! Neil’s character is introduced when Sophie, played by Hilary Duff, crashes into the back of his car at the edge of a residential street
Original role: The talented actor had played the “series womanizer” on How I Met Your Mother for a total of nine seasons
During a recent interview with the publication, series creators Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger opened up about Neil’s role in the spin-off.
“We did a creative zoom with him to talk about what we were thinking and that was it. He was a game that was so incredible for us. It was the best way we could think of coming back,” Elizabeth had explained when offering the idea to Harris, adding that the actor also had “a pre-existing relationship with Hilary Duff.”
On the subject of whether Neil’s character, Barney, could possibly be Sophie’s father, Isaac confirmed that he wasn’t.
The show’s creators didn’t give too many details about his role in the spin-off series, but revealed, “…we’ll learn more about where Barney stands, but it’ll also have a big impact on the trajectory and main narrative of ours.” Season.’
‘Age!’ Tension built after the crash as the camera slowly panned up from the feet to suddenly show Neil adjusting his suit and after a moment’s pause he exclaimed, “Dude!”
Other Guest Appearances: In the first season of the Hulu spin-off, Robin, played by Cobie Smulders, appeared on the series
However, Barney Stinson wasn’t the first How I Met Your Mother original character to star in the spin-off.
In the first season of the Hulu show, Cobie Smulders returned to the big screen when she reprized her role as Robin Scherbatsky.
In the CBS series, which aired from 2005 until its finale in 2014, the characters of Neil and Cobie married but later divorced. Harris was nominated for a total of four Emmys for his role on the show, and his character has become a fan favorite.
During an interview with GQ earlier last year, the actor from the series of unfortunate events opened up about taking on the role of Barney.
Neil, who is currently married to David Burtka, admitted to the publication that when he went to the audition he “didn’t think” he would be offered the role.
Beloved: Harris was nominated for a total of four Emmys for his role on the show, and his character became a household name and popular with fans; seen in NYC in July 2022
Audition process: He admitted to the publication that when he went to the audition he “didn’t think” he would be offered the part
However, after performing a “laser tag scene” and humorously recalling that he was “playing a diving role and banging on her desk,” he was offered the role of Barney Stinson.
“I thought it was just the pilot and would never go because of the title. Who calls a show “How I Met Your Mother?” It doesn’t even rhyme with it,” he joked. “And then it drove on.”
Emphasizing more on his character, Neil said, “Barney was such a crazy delusional monkey head,” later adding that it was a “great performance.” Did it for nine years, really enjoyed it.’
Details on which episodes Harris will appear in during the Hulu spin-off have not been announced, but creators hinted that Barney Stinson will play a key role in the development of the season.
“This car accident is going to be a huge turning point in Sophie’s life and in her season,” Isaac teased to TV Line. “Once we catch up, I think people will be pleasantly surprised at how their story about Barney unfolds.”
‘Loved it’: Emphasizing more on his character, Neil explained, ‘Barney was such a crazy delusional monkey head,’ later adding that it was a ‘great performance’. Did it for nine years, loved it’; seen with husband David Burtka in NYC in October 2022