America can't seem to get enough of the Bradys! From the animated Saturday morning cartoon, The Brady Kids, to the quirky variety show, The Brady Bunch Variety Hour, and HGTV’s hit series, A Very Brady Renovation, fans have been treated to numerous reunions of the iconic family. Now, HGTV is set to deliver yet another special—A Very Brady Christmas Special—with the potential for more content in the future. But here's the twist: if you're hoping for more scripted adventures featuring Greg, Marcia, Jan, Peter, Bobby, and Cindy, you're in for a big letdown.

Why Susan Olsen Says "No" to Playing Cindy Again

Exclusive to Closer Weekly, Susan Olsen, who famously portrayed Cindy Brady, revealed her take on reprising her beloved role. Speaking at the Hollywood Museum’s tribute to Gilligan’s Island for its 55th anniversary, Susan made it crystal clear: “We’ll never play our characters again.” She went on to explain how much she enjoyed the recent HGTV projects, particularly A Very Brady Renovation, because they allowed the cast to be themselves rather than their Brady personas. “That was the best part about it and why I think we had so much fun,” she said with a warm smile.

The Real Magic of Being Themselves

This shift toward authenticity began back in 1995 with Brady Bunch Home Movies. The special was born from an incredible discovery: during the original series' production (1969-1974), the late Robert Reed, who played Mike Brady, gifted each of the young actors with personal movie cameras. Encouraging them to document their lives both on and off set, these home movies became a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes footage. When the cast revisited this footage for the special, they realized something profound: people wanted to connect with the real individuals behind the characters.

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Susan elaborated on this sentiment, saying, “I wanted people to meet the people behind the characters because I think they’re far better. HGTV has done an incredible job of showcasing the real individuals who created those beloved characters. They’ve handled everything with such professionalism and kindness. It’s been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.” She even joked that working with HGTV feels different because they’re based in Knoxville, Tennessee—far removed from the Hollywood scene. “They’re just super nice people,” she added.

No Going Back to the Brady Characters

When asked about the possibility of returning to scripted projects like The Brady Girls Get Married, The Brady Brides, or A Very Brady Christmas, Susan was firm in her stance. “I can guarantee you that we won’t be playing the Bradys,” she laughed. “I know I won’t. Once we were allowed to be ourselves, there’s no going back. Every time we’ve gone back to play those characters, it hasn’t felt right.”

She likened watching those projects to slowing down to see a car accident. “People watch because they’re curious, but none of us have the desire to revisit those roles,” she admitted. Instead, she’s excited about the new Christmas special where the focus shifts to the house itself. “The house is the star, and HGTV knows how to highlight their star. We’re just the supporting characters, and honestly, I trust them completely with whatever they want to do.”

It’s clear that HGTV’s approach to keeping The Brady Bunch alive resonates with both the cast and the audience. By emphasizing the real people behind the characters, they’ve created a fresh and engaging way to celebrate this timeless show.

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