Bones alum David Boreanaz candidly discusses reviving the popular procedural drama, giving one of his most detailed answers about the possibility of returning as Seeley Booth. The popular Fox show, which was co-led by Emily Deschanel as Temperance "Bones" Brennan, has long been the topic of a revival in large part because of the chemistry between the two main stars. Even though Boreanaz has distanced himself from a Bones revival in the past, he's given a more measured response recently.

Looking ahead at what's next in his career following the end of his seven-season run as Jason Hayes on SEAL Team, Boreanaz was asked by Variety about the possibility of returning for a Bones revival. The Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel actor began by reflecting on the fact that he misses working with Deschanel. From there, Boreanaz says there have been conservations about bringing back Booth and Brennan and he pitches a possible avenue for reviving Bones.

Boreanaz is then asked why he's changed his view of reviving the Fox series, candidly responding that he hasn't really changed his view. He says in part: “When I really look at it, it’s the type of show that was so revered and loved, and I don’t want to say mindless, but it’s mindless entertainment when you really think about it.” Still, Boreanaz caveats that the revival would have to be a limited engagement for him to consider it. Read the full exchange below:

I miss her sunshine, her smile, her will to stretch the boundaries of a scene. I showing up one day on set early on, and I was upset about something. We kind of went at each other in a way that was healthy, but at the same time, we were like, “All right, we’re not always going to have great days. We’re going to agree to disagree. We’re going to stick to the work.” And I’m going to be able to say, “You know what, Emily? I’m having a bad day. Don’t take it personally.” And Emily would say, “David, I’m having a bad day. Don’t take it personally. I love you. Let’s go on.” From that moment on, it was glorious. What’s great about her is that she’s so willing to do the work, and be there for you. That’s what I miss so much about her. I don’t think I ever got mad at Emily. That’s just an energy thing, and I miss her so much. I speak very fondly of her, and we still talk.

There have been conversations about stepping back [into those roles] and doing a sequence of the show somewhere — which is an easy show to recreate. It’s not rocket science, right? It’s something that you can just jump in and out of, which would be fun to do. Being in Quantico and at the actual FBI recently, I was like, “I’m home! Booth is home!” What you could do and start from there alone would be great. I was walking Quantico and the FBI, and I was like, ”Imagine doing this great walk-and-talk here and having to find a body where the FBI is. That’d be hilarious!” So you never know…

Like Emily, I was surprised to hear recently that you would want to participate in a revival of Bones, only because you spent so many years saying that you would prefer to look forward rather than go back. What exactly has changed?

Nothing’s really changed. When I really look at it, it’s the type of show that was so revered and loved, and I don’t want to say mindless, but it’s mindless entertainment when you really think about it. The dynamic between these two characters was really fun to play, and if there’s happiness and joy in it, it would be easy; it wouldn’t be difficult or hard. Obviously, [a revival] would be limited. It wouldn’t be this long, lengthy thing, but also working with her would be great. Trust me: It’s not something that I’m focused on right now in my life where I’m at presently, but it’s the one show that I would consider — and I will say, consider.

Where do you think Booth and Brennan would be now?

Booth probably would be getting honored in Quantico, at the actual FBI. We would have a daughter who was at least 15, 16. She’d be entering college, probably studying the tactics of wanting to be an FBI agent, which would drive her mother crazy. And maybe she changes course and has a forensic anthropology class within that study of becoming an FBI agent. Who knows?

I think Booth is not really active and retired, and has to be drawn back into a case, to solve something that happened on the grounds of the FBI. I think Brennan just keeps writing books and getting accolades. She’d be on the New York Times bestsellers lists, probably finishing another book tour, and she’s in the middle of the book tour and has to get to the FBI in light of this award that I’m getting. And then shit hits the fan. I can see it, man!

This sounds like the start of a great pitch for a revival to me!

It’s just a great storyline, man. It’d be hilarious. My daughter could actually be actively training at the FBI, which would be kind of funny.

What Boreanaz's Comments Mean For A Bones Revival

It's Different From The Actor's Other Shows

Compared to the ending of Angel and Buffy, which were fairly definitive, and even the ending of SEAL Team, in which Boreanaz's character found a sense of peace, the driving interest in Bones is significantly more open-ended. It's about the lead couple, their cases, and the people around them. So long as most of those elements are met, then there's no reason why the Fox series couldn't be brought back.

Boreanaz is largely on board, as is Deschanel. Producers on the series have also expressed for the revival. But series creator Hart Hanson, who was also the showrunner for most of Bones, has given an explanation for why there hasn't been any kind of revival or reboot so far. Hanson noted that there isn't a script ready for a Bones return, adding that the return would be complicated due to rights issues following the Disney-Fox merger and questions about which platform the reboot would air on.

Our Take On A Bones Revival

A Limited Run Is The Way To Go

If it's the case that a Bones revival does happen, Boreanaz is right to favor a limited engagement. It's a way to test the waters. If there's a big enough audience, then extend the series. But if it doesn't quite hit in the same way it did in the 2000s, then the loyal audience would at least have the chance to check up on their favorite duo.

Source: Variety