‘The Middle’ Star Charlie McDermott Opens Up About Directing Season 8, Episode 19

“The Middle” star Charlie McDermott recently dished on what it’s like directing an episode for the TV series eight years after being part of the show.

While speaking with Entertainment Weekly, McDermott, who plays the role of Axl Heck, revealed that directing is something that he’s always wanted to do. And his dreams finally became a reality when he directed Season 8, episode 19, titled “The Confirmation.” Luckily, the actor has been observing the work that directors put in ever since he starred in the show in Season 1.

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“So it’s something I prepared for a long, long time. So when the time finally came, I felt like I had a good grasp on it. But I definitely had to do some extra work the week leading up to it in terms of prep work and the specifics of figuring out the actual episode,” he said.

Meanwhile, “The Middle” Season 8, episode 19 centered on Frankie (Patricia Heaton) and Mike (Neil Flynn) sending Brick (Atticus Shaffer) to the Jesus Jam weekend camp so he could brush up on his religious knowledge in preparation for his confirmation. While there, Brick comes face-to-face with his bunkmate. He later on finds out that the boy was the one he was switched with at birth. This means that the boy was raised by Mike and Frankie for the first month of his life.

In other news, “The Middle” has been renewed by ABC for a ninth season. While speaking with Deadline, ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey said that “The Middle” has been a consistent performer for the past eight seasons. “The Indiana Hecks have found America’s sweet spot with their authentic, acerbic and always loving take on parenting, work, kids, marriage and life,” he said.

“The Middle” Season 8 airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.