Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould, well-known for their portrayal of siblings Alex and Luke Dunphy on the acclaimed sitcom ‘Modern Family’, have taken their off-screen friendship to a new level by becoming roommates in Los Angeles. The pair, who starred together for 11 seasons from 2009 to 2020, have rekindled their close bond while sharing a household in California.
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Winter, now 28, revealed her new living arrangement during a conversation with PEOPLE. She explained that she has been spending more time in Los Angeles and has opted to rent a house with her former co-star Gould, who is now 27. “It’s funny because I spend more time out here now and I rent a house with Nolan,” she shared, clarifying that she divides her time between California and Nashville, where she previously lived with her ex-boyfriend and their four rescue dogs.
The actress remarked that their current dynamic feels akin to a mini version of ‘Modern Family’. “People ask me about a reboot, but Nolan and I are real roommates now,” she explained. “So it’s like we’re having our own little ‘Modern Family’ reboot, but it’s just the two of us living together. So I see him every day.”
Winter added that their interactions, while not being part of a scripted show, are equally entertaining. “I’m not gonna lie, when we sit there at night and we watch, like, ‘Temptation Island’ together, it’s pretty hilarious. We have thought about letting people in on our day-to-day interactions,” she confessed, noting that their comedic chemistry could be a hit among audiences.
The two young actors grew especially close during their time on the show, which saw their characters navigate the ups and downs of family life. Winter recalled that she had little idea of the monumental success the show would achieve upon joining the cast at the tender age of 11. Reflecting on her early career, she said, “I don’t think I had any idea if it was going to be successful or not. I was just like, ‘Oh, awesome, I got a job.’”
The excitement of working alongside established actors, such as Ed O’Neill, who portrayed her on-screen grandfather, added to her enthusiasm. She remembered, “What I was so excited for was to get the chance to work with Al Bundy,” referencing O’Neill’s iconic role on ‘Married with Children’. The show’s immediate success, Winter noted, was a thrilling experience, especially given the rare opportunity to be part of such a long-running series.
Their friendship deepened over the years, leading Winter to describe Gould as one of her closest friends. “I’m extremely close to Nolan. He plays my little brother, and he and I are still best friends,” she stated, underscoring the genuine connection that flourished on set and continued in their lives beyond the show.
Despite the camaraderie they developed, Winter acknowledged the bittersweet nature of finishing ‘Modern Family’. She shared that saying goodbye to the cast was emotional. “It was hard,” she reflected. “We really were like a real family. It was weird knowing it would just be over, and I wouldn’t get to see everybody all the time anymore.” Yet, she also recognised it was time for everyone to explore new opportunities in their careers.
While the flame of ‘Modern Family’ may have dimmed with its series finale in 2020, Winter continues to remain active in her professional life. She is set to reprise her role in the animated series ‘Sofia the First: Royal Magic’ on Disney Junior and Disney+, which is scheduled for release later this month.
Fans of the duo’s work can appreciate their ongoing camaraderie as they navigate adulthood, eager to witness how their lives have transformed since the show’s concluding chapter. Winter and Gould’s current living situation serves as a testament to the lasting relationships formed on a set that many will always cherish as one of television’s classics.