The Story Behind How Bones Actually Changed Its Original Title After David Boreanaz Came On Board

As a gamer who has spent countless hours binge-watching TV shows and following the behind-the-scenes drama of my favorite series, I can confidently say that the title change for Bones was a game-changer – pun intended!

Before I donned the role of Jason Hayes on SEAL Team or portrayed Angel on his own show and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I was FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth on Fox’s Bones. Although the series veered off course towards its end and spanned 12 seasons, it remained a beloved favorite among viewers like us. With me, Emily Deschanel, and our fellow actors contributing to the mix, the series proved to be a success. It might surprise you, but the show had an entirely different title before I joined the team.

Fans familiar with the show “Bones” might be aware that its main character, Temperance Brennan, is also known as “Bones.” Initially, the series was intended to be titled just “Brennan,” mirroring how Fox’s other program, House, was named after Hugh Laurie’s character in the medical drama. However, the title change was prompted by a careful consideration of the creative team, who eventually decided on “Bones” after being impressed by the performances of their two lead actors. This information is shared from Bones: The Official Companion.

We debated over the title for some time. At first, we imagined it focusing on one main character, with Temperance Brennan as our lead, who would collaborate with various law enforcement entities. However, upon observing Emily and David working in tandem, we realized we had a more captivating concept at hand. ‘Bones’ is her nickname, and it sets the stage for each narrative; it’s all about the bones. Thus, we concluded that using ‘Bones’ as the title would be superior to simply naming it after Brennan. This decision also allowed us to acknowledge that the series was more of an ensemble production rather than relying on a single lead character.

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Coming up with an engaging and simple title for a TV show can be quite challenging, as it needs to grab attention and be easy to remember. Originally, “Brennan” might have been suitable, given that it refers to the main character, who interacts with other officers and solves cases. However, as the show evolved into more of a duo dynamic between Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz, using Temperance’s nickname for the title seemed fitting instead. This is because the original title could have given the impression that she was the sole focus of the series.

Moreover, Hart Hanson once shared with GiveMeMyRemote that Booth was initially intended to be only one of several cops who appeared occasionally alongside Brennan. However, I’m thrilled they altered their plan and made Booth a regular character in the show. I believe many viewers would concur with me when I say that the bond between Brennan and Booth is what really sets this series apart.

It could be argued that Bones (which ended on a mostly positive note) is ultimately a show that aired too long. However, Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz’s chemistry made it worth watching all the way through. Since the show is still loved by fans today and is still viewed by Hulu subscription holders, could there be a chance at a comeback? In 2023, Hart Hanson said a revival is “complicated” due to the Fox and Disney merger, which opens up questions about IP rights. Still, Hanson seems to think a sequel series is possible.

Reflecting on the early stages of the show, I often ponder if it might have been equally successful under the title Brennan. Yet, there’s no denying that Bones has a certain charm to it. Kudos to the producers for recognizing the need for change when David Boreanaz joined the production team.

2024-08-07 06:08

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