'Modern Family' Cast To Add New Actor As Joe Pritchett In Season 7

“Modern Family” tends to pride itself on taking real-life family issues and putting a present-day slant on them. However, one constant truth that the show is brushing up against yet again is simply the age-old saying that kids grow up too darn fast.

According to TV Line, ABC and the producers of the Emmy-winning series will need to recast the role of Joe Pritchett, the youngest son of Jay (Ed O’Neill) and Gloria (Sofia Vergara) Pritchett, when the series returns for Season 7 on Sept. 23.

The character was born in Season 4 of the popular series during the episode titled “Party Crasher.” Since then, the show has mushed on for two and a half more seasons and the character is starting to reach an age of more sentience. The role was previously played on screen by child actor Pierce Wallace. However, rumor has it that ABC is hoping to recast with an older actor to start giving the character a little bit of personality.

Fans of the show, which was just nominated for yet another Emmy award for outstanding comedy series, will note that this isn’t the first time that one of its actors has aged out of his or her role. In 2011 the twin girls that played Cam and Mitch’s baby Lily, Ella and Jaden Hiller, were replaced by a more permanent actress. According to People, the twins were taken out of the rotation at three years old, which is about the same age as Wallace. Aubrey Anderson-Emmons, who has been walking and talking as Lily ever since, joined the cast of “Modern Family” in Season 3.

Fortunately, Joe wasn’t the subject of the big Season 6 cliffhanger. During the finale of the latest season, the will-they-won’t-they love triangle between Haley (Sarah Hyland), Andy (Adam DeVine) and his girlfriend Beth (Laura Ashley Samuels) finally came to a head. As Phil (Ty Burrell) discovered that his daughter was in love with Andy, and vice versa, he was unable to do anything because of getting stranded in Seattle. The episode ended with Andy going off to propose to Beth.

Are you ready to see a new actor play Joe Pritchett for good on “Modern Family”? Comment below or tweet your thoughts to @TylerMcCarthy.