It’s crazy to think that it has been almost six years since the final pie was made at the Pie Hole on Pushing Daisies. From the incredible mind of Bryan Fuller, best known these days for his work on NBC’s Hannibal, Pushing Daisies was a fantastical dramedy that aired on ABC for two (abbreviated) seasons from 2007-2009. Debatably one of the major victims of the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, Pushing Daisies was a “forensic fairy tale” that became loved for its writing, characters, and very unique visual style. It’s hard to believe that the internet would have allowed for the untimely cancellation of Pushing Daisies if it had happened in 2015’s landscape rather than 2009’s, but the 22 episodes of Pushing Daisies will be forever loved by fans that consistently hope for a revival of the show in some form.
Creator Bryan Fuller has been met with incredible success because of Hannibal, but much of the actual cast of Pushing Daisies have filled their past six years successfully, as well. Let’s take a look at where everyone is now:
Lee Pace as Ned
On Pushing Daisies, Lee Pace played Ned, the show’s protagonist, who had the very unique ability to reanimate the dead by touching them. Ned also owned the Pie Hole, the local pie bakery. Since the cancellation of Pushing Daisies, Lee Pace has enjoyed a great amount of success, playing Ronan the Accuser, the primary antagonist, in last summer’s smash cinematic hit Guardians of the Galaxy; Thrandiul, the father of Legolas, in The Hobbit trilogy; and Fernando Wood in 2012’s Lincoln. Currently, Pace can be seen on AMC’s Halt and Catch Fire as Joe MacMillan. The second season of Halt and Catch Fire premieres Sunday, May 31.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Anna Friel as Charlotte “Chuck” Charles
Anna Friel played Chuck Charles in Pushing Daisies, the girlfriend of Lee Pace’s Ned. Since the show’s cancellation, Friel has taken on smaller roles in order to focus on her film career. Friel can be seen in Limitless, Having You, and The Look of Love, and she currently appears in the lead role on NBC’s American Odyssey.
(Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Chi McBride as Emerson Cod
Chi McBride’s Emerson Cod was always a highlight of Pushing Daisies in his role as Ned’s friend and business partner. Since Pushing Daisies ended, McBride has played lead roles on Fox’s Human Target and CBS’Golden Boy, and he can currently be seen on CBS’ modern adaptation of Hawaii Five-0.
(Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Kristen Chenoweth as Olive Snook
On a personal note, Kristen Chenoweth’s Olive Snook was the thing about Pushing Daisies that made me fall in love with the series. She brought an incredible amount of talent to the role of an unrequited lover, and she was a true treasure in the show’s cast. Since the cancellation of Pushing Daisies, Chenoweth has returned to the stage, appearing in productions such as Promises, Promises and On the Twentieth Century. She has also appeared in films, such as Rio 2 and The Boy Next Door, and she had a main role on ABC’s short-lived series GCB.
(Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Trevor Project)
Ellen Greene as Vivian Charles
Ellen Greene played one-half of the guardians of Charlotte Charles (maybe that should be the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy!) on Pushing Daisies. Since the show ended, she has maintained a quiet life, but she has appeared in episodes of The Young and the Restless and Bryan Fuller’s Hannibal on NBC.
(Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Swoosie Kurtz as Lily Charles
The other half of the Vivian/Lily duo, Swoosie Kurtz has also appeared sporadically on film and television since the ending of Pushing Daisies, but she has been a part of the main cast on CBS’ sitcom Mike and Molly since 2010, playing the role of Molly’s (Melissa McCarthy) mother.
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Jim Dale as the Narrator
Never-seen but ever-present, Jim Dale was the Narrator for all 22 episodes of Pushing Daisies. His history since the end of the show is limited, but Dale is a very well-known voice actor. Among other things, you can hear him as the narrator for all seven Harry Potter audiobooks.
(Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Field Cate as Young Ned
Appearing only sporadically on Pushing Daisies, Field Cate played the role of Young Ned in the show. He was promoted to regular cast member for Season 2, but life after the show has been limited for the now-17 year old actor. In 2010, Cate could be seen in a few episodes of The Young and the Restless and its sister show, The Bold and the Beautiful, as Eric Sharpe.
(Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Who was your favorite character on Pushing Daisies? Let us know in the comment section below!
[Featured Image via ABC]
I wish this show would have last more seasons!! I watch my DVD’s from time to time just to not forget this wonderful series!
BTW, my favorite character is Ned, the piemaker (he was adorkable).