What Happened to Step by Step (TV series)?

Step by Step, an American family sitcom, premiered on ABC's popular TGIF lineup on September 20, 1991, and ran for seven seasons, concluding on CBS on June 26, 1998. Created by William Bickley and Michael Warren, the series centered on Frank Lambert (Patrick Duffy), a divorced contractor with three children, and Carol Foster (Suzanne Somers), a widowed salon owner with three children, who impulsively marry during a vacation, creating a blended family in Port Washington, Wisconsin. The show explored the comedic and heartwarming dynamics of their six, later seven, children learning to live together despite their initial resentments.

The series was often compared to 'The Brady Bunch' due to its similar premise of merging two families. While critics initially gave it a negative reception, it found a loyal audience, particularly within the TGIF block. Key turning points included the departure of Sasha Mitchell, who played Frank's nephew Cody, in 1996 due to legal issues, though he made a cameo return for the penultimate episode. The show also saw the character of Brendan Lambert (Josh Byrne) gradually phased out and written off by the final season.

In 1997, after six seasons on ABC, 'Step by Step' moved to CBS for its seventh and final season. Ratings continued to decline after the network change, and the series ended in 1998 without an official series finale, leaving some storylines, like Dana and Rich's wedding, unresolved.

Since the show's conclusion, the cast members have embarked on diverse paths. Suzanne Somers (Carol Foster-Lambert) continued her career as an actress, author, and businesswoman, notably promoting the ThighMaster. She passed away on October 15, 2023, at the age of 76. Patrick Duffy (Frank Lambert) has continued acting, with roles in 'Dallas' revivals, 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' and 'Station 19,' and has participated in numerous 'Step by Step' reunions.

Many of the younger cast members transitioned out of acting. Staci Keanan (Dana Foster) earned a law degree and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2013, now practicing law and serving as an adjunct associate professor of law at Southwestern Law School as of January 2021. Christopher Castile (Mark Foster) retired from acting at 18, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in political science, and currently teaches political science at Biola University and U.S. history at Downey High School. Brandon Call (J.T. Lambert) also retired from acting after the series, reportedly operating a gas station. He survived a highly publicized drive-by shooting incident in 1996.

Christine Lakin (Al Lambert) has maintained an active career in entertainment, working as an actress, voice actress (including 'Family Guy'), and television director, having directed episodes of 'The Goldbergs' as recently as 2022. Angela Watson (Karen Foster) founded Child Actors Supporting Themselves (CAST) in 2000, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping young performers manage their finances, after discovering her own parents had mishandled her earnings. She welcomed a son in June 2024.

In recent years, the cast has frequently reunited, sparking nostalgia among fans. In March 2024, Patrick Duffy, Staci Keanan, Christine Lakin, and Sasha Mitchell reunited at the Hollywood Show. Another reunion involving Duffy, Keanan, and Lakin occurred in December 2025, where they cooked together and promoted Duffy's bread company. Staci Keanan and Christine Lakin also launched a rewatch podcast, 'Keanan and Lakin Give You Déjà Vu,' in February 2024. As of September 2026, 'Step by Step' continues to be a cherished piece of 90s television, remembered for its family dynamics and the enduring connections among its cast.