“Boy Meets World” Star Matthew Lawrence Recalls ‘Dysfunction’ on “Girl Meets World” Set: ‘It Was Very Weird’

Matthew Lawrence has recently shared his thoughts on the unique atmosphere during the filming of “Girl Meets World,” which brought back familiar faces from the beloved sitcom, “Boy Meets World.” The actor, who portrayed Shawn Hunter’s half-brother in the original series, found the experience of reprising his role for the Disney Channel spinoff rather peculiar.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lawrence, now 46, reflected on the challenges of returning to a project where the focus had shifted away from the adult characters he once shared the spotlight with. “It was interesting, I can tell you that,” he remarked, capturing the complexity of his feelings. The original series had built a strong rapport among its cast, yet the new series was oriented towards a younger audience, resulting in a significant change in dynamics.

Lawrence explained that although he felt a sense of nostalgia returning to the set alongside former colleagues, the experience was tainted by an unusual duality. “It’s strange… There was a duality to it that was hard to put into words,” he said, as he navigated the contrasting feelings of revisiting a cherished role while also grappling with the new direction of the show. He emphasised that the younger cast members were doing well, but he sensed discomfort in the adult portion of the production, which cast a shadow over his enthusiasm.

Despite his fond memories of “Boy Meets World,” Lawrence admitted that the environment during the subsequent series filmings was less than ideal. He candidly expressed his disappointment with the state of affairs among the adult cast members, stating, “Which really bummed me out and made me sad.” After filming only one episode of “Girl Meets World,” he found it challenging to consider participating in further episodes due to the odd atmosphere he perceived on set.

While he refrained from diving into specifics about the disagreements or tensions, he noted that there had been “definite— there was definitely a tug and a pull between the adults.” Laurence further maintained his affection for his co-stars, affirming, “I love them all, and I know they’ve all worked it out at this point.”

This sentiment of confusion regarding the production’s focus was shared by other original cast members. Rider Strong, who played Shawn Hunter, along with Danielle Fishel, expressed feelings of discomfort concerning the storylines as well. Fishel recalled being told that the spinoff would not merely serve as a reboot of the original series, yet she felt that it ended up straying into that familiar territory.

Lawrence’s reflection comes alongside the release of his new graphic novel, “The Lawrence Brothers Detective Agency,” a project that highlights his evolution as a creator beyond his acting career. As he embarks on this new venture, he looks back on past experiences with a careful balance of gratitude and reflection.

Despite the complications he faced while filming “Girl Meets World,” Lawrence seems to maintain a sense of hope, having witnessed the resolution of any friction among his former colleagues. His openness about the challenges of returning to an old role helps shed light on the complexities of television production, especially when beloved series expand into new narratives.

As fans of the original “Boy Meets World” reminisce about their favourite moments, Lawrence’s insights provide a nuanced understanding of what it is like for actors to revisit a part of their past, surrounded by the ghosts of their earlier successes, while trying to adapt to new changes in direction. His experiences serve as a reminder that even amidst the joys of nostalgia, the realities of collaboration can be fraught with difficulty.