Stephen Merchant Meets Luke & Manny in ‘Modern Family’ Midseason Return (PHOTOS)

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Stephen Merchant and Rico Rodriguez in Modern Family
ABC/Gilles Mingasson
Guest star Stephen Merchant takes direction from episode director Elaine Ko in Modern Family
ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Guest star Stephen Merchant takes direction from episode director Elaine Ko.

Rico Rodriguez as Manny Delgado, Nolan Gould as Luke Dunphy in Modern Family - Season 11, Episode 10 - 'The Prescott'
ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Manny (Rico Rodriguez) and Luke (Nolan Gould) enter The Prescott with confidence.

Stephen Merchant and Rico Rodriguez in Modern Family
ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Stephen Merchant stands ready for patrons at The Prescott’s gym counter where he speaks with Manny.

Modern Family - Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez as Luke and Manny - 'The Prescott'
ABC/Gilles Mingasson

Luke and Manny relax as they are pampered in the spa.

Modern Family - Nolan Gould and Rico Rodriguez - 'The Prescott'
ABC/Gilles Mingasson

But will the serenity last?

Modern Family - Rico Rodriguez - 'The Prescott'
ABC/Gilles Mingasson

By the look on Manny’s face, we’re assuming their brief peace will be interrupted.

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Modern Family is beginning the new year with one powerful star-studded episode featuring a slew of guest stars.

In newly released images for the episode titled “The Prescott,” which serves as the midseason premiere, Manny (Rico Rodriguez) and Luke (Nolan Gould) cross paths with funnyman Stephen Merchant. Also set to appear in this installment are famed soccer star David Beckham and actress of Friends fame Courteney Cox.

The episode will see Alex (Ariel Winter) put up in a luxury apartment by her company with full amenities that her family are eager to take advantage of without her knowledge. Among the perks of The Prescott are its high-profile residents, which include Beckham, among others.

Manny and Luke’s storyline will be set in the apartment’s gym where Merchant appears to be overseeing things. Click through the gallery above to catch a sneak peek at what’s to come and don’t miss Modern Family when it returns on January 8.

Modern Family, Midseason Premiere, Wednesday, January 8, 9/8c, ABC