Why You Won’t See Michelle Tanner on ‘Fuller House’ Season 5

John Stamos, Dylan/Blake Tuomy-Wilhoit, Lori Loughlin, Dave Coulier, Andrea Barber, Mary-Kate/Ashley Olsen, Jodie Sweetin, Bob Saget, Candace Cameron, Scott Weinger
Walt Disney Television via Getty Images Photo Archives

The fifth and final season of Fuller House will be premiering December 6 on Netflix, and while it will be difficult to say goodbye to the sequel series of popular ’90s hit Full House, don’t expect to see all of the original cast members take a final bow.

Lori Loughlin, who played the lovable Aunt Becky on the revival and the original series, was booted from the show after news broke earlier this year of her involvement in the college admissions scandal. So it’s safe to say she won’t be making an appearance in the final season — but she’s not the only one.

The Olsen twins, who played youngest daughter Michelle Tanner throughout all eight seasons of Full House, also won’t be reprising their iconic character for the final season. In fact, the famous twins have not appeared in any of the Fuller House episodes, despite all of the other original cast members participating. And fans are still left wondering why.

Why isn’t Michelle on Fuller House?

John Stamos admitted he was “surprised at first” by Mary-Kate and Ashley’s decision not to return to the reboot, but ultimately he respects their choice. In a 2016 interview with USA Today, he revealed that the girls have no interest in pursuing an acting career. Though they were invited to join the series prior to the start of Season 1, they simply opted not to be involved.

“I called Mary-Kate and at that time she wasn’t sure. She was very sweet about it and said, ‘Let me talk to Ashley,'” he revealed. “But I think they don’t consider themselves actresses anymore, they haven’t done it in a long time, so I think maybe they just didn’t want to go back to that.”

Hulu

It’s been years since either sister appeared in front of the camera. Instead, they’ve been focusing their time and energy on their successful fashion empire. Both sisters serve as designers of multiple clothing lines including The Row and Elizabeth and James.

Is Michelle referenced on Fuller House?

But even without the actresses present for Fuller House, the cast still had to address the elephant in the room. In the pilot episode, the family reunites and Michelle’s absence comes into question. Bob Saget, who played Danny Tanner on both Full House and Fuller House quipped, “Well, Michelle sends her love, but she’s busy in New York running her fashion empire.” A line that some felt may have been a little shade thrown at the twins.

“We thought it would be a funny joke,” Jodie Sweetin, who plays Stephanie Tanner, told USA Today. “A wink and a nod to acknowledging the reality that they’re not there and they’re off doing their fashion thing and we support them and… the audience knows, we know, and it’s out there.”

And it wasn’t the only time Michelle was referenced on the show. In Season 2, during a Thanksgiving episode, D.J. reveals that she wishes Michelle could’ve joined them for the holiday. Stamos then turns to the camera and essentially extends yet another invite to the girls by saying, “Come, it’ll be fun.”

Netflix

In the Season 4 episode titled “Oh My Santa,” Michelle was brought up again when D.J. mentions that Danny, Uncle Jesse, and Aunt Becky were out of town visiting her in New York.

“We make mention of them. Their character of course is not gone. But you know, it’s like, she’s the family member that never shows up at the reunion,” Candace Cameron Bure revealed on Larry King Now.

It’s clear the the stars of the show are adamant about keeping Michelle’s memory alive, as she was such a significant part of the original series — proving that there is no bad blood with the twins. Stamos touched on the “misinformation” surrounding a possible feud between the cast and the girls, saying it couldn’t be further from the truth. “Once I talked to them, I understood their position on it and I respect them,” he said.

Saget agreed, admitting, “The Olsens are sweet girls, they should do what they want to do with their lives. They’re amazing artists and they’re just really, really talented, and people should do what they want to do. I know I’m going to be friends with them. I love them.”

Fuller House, Season 5 Premiere, Friday, December 6, Netflix




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  1. O

    OliveUmbrella

    They need to do more seasons. When does the second half of the 5th season come on?

    6

  2. C

    CyanScissors

    Im watching season 5 of fuller house and I hope Michelle comes back for atleast the wedding because it wouldn’t be right without her! She’s Stefanie and DJs Sister!

    4

  3. P

    PurpleDucky

    4

  4. O

    OrangePumpkin

    It's sad that they are not acting on Fuller House, but I respect their decision.

    6 2

  5. O

    OrangeController

    I know they wanted to use all original cast but if I were the producer I would have taken Taylor or Elizabeth Olsen into consideration. They are just as talented as their sisters, look enough like them, are both still acting (not certain about Taylor), and would have done great. Not to mention, an Olsen sister would still be playing the part. I think either of them would have paid great tribute to the character.

    4 1

  6. O

    OrangeBasketball

    i want more seasons i already watched the new episodes but aunt BECKY got 😢arrested and got fired

    3

  7. P

    PurpleCocktail

    I miss Michael

    2

  8. C

    CyanDog

    They should’ve just had another blonde act as her sit in lol and just not show the face orrrrrr they could’ve just chosen someone to replace her at the beginning 🤷🏽‍♀️

    2

  9. O

    OliveBullhorn

    Ikr 😢

    1

  10. R

    RedGoggles

    Michelle* 🙂

    1

  11. O

    OliveBullhorn

    just like someone said,she should be in at least a wedding i mean- there dj and Stephanie's sister,and they'd be grateful even fuller fans and viewers would love to go back,and see her.

    1

  12. C

    CyanScissors

    I hope they come back for season 5 for the wedding because it just wouldn’t be right without them!

    1

    1. O

      OliveBandAid

      they won't! 🙁 i'm not sure if it's true, but i do know that the twins, who played michelle, now look WAY different to how they looked when they were younger. Most people say they don't really want them back because of how they look. (more older, different kind of eye look, and many more) trust me, search them up

  13. B

    BlueHelmet

    June 2nd

    2 1

  14. B

    BlueSnow

    Not allowed? The twins said no, thank you!

    1

  15. P

    PurpleCar

    i want michelle to e back on i want to see what she llokks like and i want her to be in fuller house without them its boring dj and stephanie and becky we need a michelle and the new baby danielle dj fuller we need a michelle so if you are reading this mary kate and ashly olsen please come back you guys are awsome i own all of your movies and i want to get more so please come back

    6 5

  16. O

    OliveBullhorn

    Yeah I wanna see baby 2

  17. O

    OliveBullhorn

    No it’s not

  18. C

    CyanWeights

    I heard that she just got plastic surgery

  19. P

    PurpleScooter

    Well now they can’t bc Danny taner died

  20. C

    CyanGuitar

    good morning

  21. C

    CyanGuitar

    🐾Toulon,bm

  22. C

    CyanGuitar

    How do you watch full house

  23. C

    CyanBasketball

    I respect the choice but I just wish they could do one episode just so we could see them all together again

  24. C

    CyanCandy

    I really don]'t understand

  25. G

    GreenButton

    I feel that the cast of fuller house should have mentioned her more. I only heard like 1 or 2 references about Michelle. One of. Which is when Stef says ‘where’s my lil sis’ on the very first episode of season 1

  26. R

    RedGoggles

    I think it was good not having Michelle on the show. No hate, but the Mary- Kate and Ashely look so different from each other they would have to give the roll to only one twin. I never really liked the role of Michelle anyway, I preferred Dj or Steph

    2 2

  27. O

    OliveBullhorn

    full and fuller fans and viewers,what do you say?! try to make michelle go to fuller? how is with me? lets cheer on for MICHELLEEEE

  28. O

    OliveBullhorn

    i think Michelle should be in fuller house i have seen full house with michelle,and you know her fashion empire,i know we care but maybe just a few seasons michelle should be there,i hate to not see her in fuller they may show pictures of Michelle in fuller,but please let us watch michelle in fuller!

  29. R

    RedPalmtree

    i don'tknow my q to

  30. B

    BlueProcessor

    I miss Michelle

  31. G

    GreenSushi

    To bad the whole fam wasn't back together even once!😣

  32. C

    CyanCoathanger

    I am sad that they won't have them come back for the seasons final and I only hope they will make a movie seen as SPOILER Stephanie is pregnant

  33. C

    CyanStrawberry

    They could have at least come to the wedding come on

  34. O

    OliveBandAid

    they won't go back, you can also search on google "the twins who play michelle", and go to images and it will show you how they now look. They look so different to how they looked when they played michelle!

  35. C

    CyanScissors

    It’s out :))!

    2 2

  36. G

    GoldSubmarine

    i don't know why they don't want to come back but it is sad because the tanner family isn't complete also if ashley and mary are reading this it is to late to go back now

  37. P

    PurplePuzzle

    With the twins looking so different from each other now (Mary-Kate having plastic surgery), they wouldn’t be able to use both. I respect their choice but hope for a Skype call.

    1 1

  38. G

    GreenRocket

    WHY I WAS JUDT WACHING IT AND I MISS HER

  39. G

    GreenRocket

    Wow she is gone and I never knwe

  40. R

    RedBone

    I really wnt michelle back:( I cryed tha I knew she was not coming back she was a big part I thought all the times they mentioned her she would come back:( I know its there choose but We will miss them so much so so so so so so so much:(

  41. B

    BlueClover

    hi

  42. B

    BlueBeer

    i want michelle back on fuller house

    1

  43. O

    OrangeCherries

    It shocking that The twins didnt want to come back.. but i respect their decision...i just love how the show didnt mentiom michelle for few times...... i wasnt really a fan of the show... cuz i was born in the 20's,.. but my mom was a big fan of the show.... .... hope the legscy of fullllll house goes on

    2

  44. R

    RedQuill

    On fuller house in all the seasons I didn't see Michelle it's not fair she's not allowed in it make a season 6,7,8,9,10 so she can be in it

    2 6