Shocking Raymond Reunion: Cast Returns After 30 Years for Emotional Special

The Everybody Loves Raymond cast is officially reuniting for a primetime 30th-anniversary celebration airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. The 90-minute event brings the full ensemble back to a newly rebuilt Barone family home set. Hosted by Ray Romano and creator Phil Rosenthal, the special revisits the sitcom’s cultural legacy, behind-the-scenes stories, and the lasting impact of one of TV’s most beloved comedy families. The Raymond reunion marks a major milestone for the iconic series that first premiered in 1996 and ended its acclaimed nine-season run in 2005.

The reunion gathers the full Raymond cast — Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Brad Garrett, Monica Horan, and Madylin and Sullivan Sweeten — for the first time in nearly two decades. Filmed in Los Angeles on a meticulously constructed replica of the Barone living room set, the special highlights the series’ evolution, career-defining roles, and the show’s long-term resonance with audiences.

Producers confirmed tributes to late actors Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle, whose characters Marie and Frank Barone anchored the show’s generational family dynamic. The reunion aims to honor both their contributions and the comedy foundation they helped establish.

Quotes & Reactions

Executive producers told Deadline that the goal of the special is “to revisit why Raymond became a defining American sitcom.” Romano added that returning to the set felt “like stepping back into your childhood home — familiar, funny, and emotional.” Patricia Heaton noted that fans still tell her the show “feels real,” emphasizing its enduring relatability.

Phil Rosenthal stated: “The chemistry never left. This is a family, on-screen and off.”

Impact Analysis

The Raymond reunion arrives as nostalgia-driven specials continue to score strong ratings across major networks. Similar events — Friends: The Reunion, Harry Potter 20th Anniversary, and The Office retrospectives — have shown significant increases in streaming viewership and social media engagement.

For CBS, this special targets multi-generational audiences rediscovering Raymond on streaming platforms. The reunion is expected to boost Paramount+ traffic and fuel renewed interest in the original series’ syndication.

What’s Next

CBS plans additional anniversary-themed content on Paramount+, including archival behind-the-scenes clips and cast roundtable features. Producers also hinted at potential legacy documentaries exploring the show’s impact on family-based sitcoms.

The Raymond reunion premiering on CBS marks a key cultural moment, reaffirming the sitcom’s place among television’s most influential comedies.

Sources

• ESPN

• 247Sports

• On3

• Deadline

• CBS Press Notes