The Real O'Neals poster

TV series

The Real O'Neals

2016TV-PG2 seasons7.2 / 10

A contemporary take on a seemingly perfect Catholic family, whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Instead of ruining their family, the honesty triggers a new, messier chapter where everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Sep 3, 2026

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Synopsis

A contemporary take on a seemingly perfect Catholic family, whose lives take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Instead of ruining their family, the honesty triggers a new, messier chapter where everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Pilot

23m7.0 / 10

Based in Chicago, the O’Neals appear to be a seemingly picture perfect family, but their lives soon take an unexpected turn when surprising truths are revealed. Eileen is a mom who usually has a fine grasp on all matters under her roof, and her soon-to-be-ex-husband Pat is a good-natured father and the emotional center of the family. Their normal routine at home suddenly gets turned upside down when Eileen and Pat announce their divorce, and their sixteen-year-old-son Kenny reveals to his family that he is gay. Kenny never would have imagined his admission would also result in outing his entire family’s secrets, including revelations from his older brother, Jimmy, and little sister, Shannon. Jimmy unapologetically wears his heart on his sleeve and genuinely tries to figure out what’s best in any situation, while Shannon is the youngest but carries herself more mature than her age. Life in the O’Neals household wouldn’t be complete without Aunt Jodi, Pat’s ex-sister-in-law and Eileen’s best friend, who is quite the frequent visitor and is also willing to admit things are far from perfect in her own life. What seems like a sudden upheaval that could mark the end of the O’Neals idyllic lives turns out to be the beginning of a bright new chapter when everyone stops pretending to be perfect and actually starts being real.

Episode credits

Directed by Todd HollandWritten by Casey Johnson, Jennifer Ventimilia, David Windsor, Joshua Sternin

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Episode 2

The Real Papaya

23m8.0 / 10

Following the “coming out” confessions made by everyone in the O’Neal family, Eileen is desperate to control the situation and tries to make Kenny “un-gay.” Meanwhile, Kenny tries to find the right time to break up with Mimi and has a heart-to-heart with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

Episode credits

Directed by Todd HollandWritten by Casey Johnson, David Windsor

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Episode 3

The Real Lent

23m8.3 / 10

Eileen reminds her family that it’s Lent and asks them to give up things they really love, which in turn proves to be quite a daunting task. In a chance meeting, Kenny meets his first gay crush, and Pat discovers his little girl, Shannon, is all grown up.

Episode credits

Directed by Rebecca AsherWritten by Scott King

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Episode 4

The Real F Word

23m8.3 / 10

Kenny has a difficult first day at school after having come out.

Episode credits

Directed by Christine GernonWritten by Stacy TraubGuest stars Kaylee Kaneshiro

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Episode 5

The Real Spring Fever

23m8.3 / 10

On the first warm day of spring following an endless Chicago winter, Eileen decides it’s time to get a fresh start in her life by applying for her first job since her kids were born. Shannon ultimately overhears her mom’s plan and riles up the rest of the family after misinterpreting Eileen’s true intentions. Meanwhile, Pat realizes he might not be ready for the single life just yet, even though his patrol partner, Archie, thinks otherwise. And as Kenny wonders who he will date next, Jimmy takes it upon himself to help him explore the newfound world of online dating

Episode credits

Directed by Phil TraillWritten by Kristin Newman

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Episode 6

The Real Man

23m8.3 / 10

When Pat plans a camping trip to enjoy some father-and-son bonding time with Jimmy, Kenny also joins them to prove that even though he’s gay he can still be manly. During the camping trip, Pat continuously pressures Jimmy about his upcoming wrestling match, which leads to a surprising result. Meanwhile, after Eileen discovers Shannon has been skipping her classes and refuses confirmation, she invites Father Phil over to help answer Shannon’s challenging questions she has about Catholicism.

Episode credits

Directed by Elliot HegartyWritten by Adam Roberts

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Episode 7

The Real Grandma

23m8.0 / 10

When Eileen's strict, Catholic grandmother, Agnes, makes a surprise visit, the family attempts to hide Eileen and Pat's divorce and keep Kenny's sexuality a secret.

Episode credits

Directed by Silver TreeWritten by Cheryl Holliday

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Episode 8

The Real Book Club

23m8.0 / 10

Eileen faces her book club for the first time after her family’s “outing,” but things take a surprising turn when instead of shunning her the ladies begin opening up – way too much – about their own problems. Kenny’s first trip to the “gayborhood” coffee shop is everything he’d hoped for, until Pat tags along with him to a gay dodge ball match.

Episode credits

Directed by Victor Nelli, Jr.Written by Lee Sung Jin

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Episode 9

The Real Wedding

23m7.3 / 10

When Kenny decides to audition for the school play, “Zombie Romeo and Juliet,” Eileen volunteers to help out. Kenny receives the role of Romeo, but much to his dismay, his ex-girlfriend Mimi is playing Juliet. Things get more awkward when Eileen, realizing that this may be the only time she will see Kenny marry a girl, begins to treat the play’s wedding scene like an actual wedding. Meanwhile, Pat and Jimmy both struggle to talk to their new crushes.

Episode credits

Directed by Rebecca AsherWritten by Audra Sielaff, Becky MannGuest stars Kaylee Kaneshiro

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Episode 10

The Real Retreat

23m7.7 / 10

When Jimmy is unexpectedly named Faith Leader for the weekend at the Catholic Youth Retreat, a jealous Kenny decides to take on his older brother’s role as ring leader of the bad kids. Home alone without the kids, Pat invites a new lady friend over, and Eileen can’t help but enlist Jodi to spy on them, with surprising results.

Episode credits

Written by Lewaa Nasserdeen, Todd HollandGuest stars Noah Crawford

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Episode 11

The Real Other Woman

23m7.7 / 10

When Eileen pushes Kenny to get a job, she starts to feel jealous when he starts to work as a tutor and instantly starts to bond with the student’s mom. As Kenny starts to spend more time away from home, Eileen realizes she’ll need to make some changes if she wants her relationship with Kenny to improve. Meanwhile, Pat wants to bond more with the kids but makes some questionable choices in trying to become the fun parent.

Episode credits

Directed by Rebecca AsherWritten by Kevin Biegel

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Episode 12

The Real Rules

23m7.7 / 10

After realizing Pat left his police badge at home, Jimmy convinces Kenny and Shannon that he should use Pat’s badge to pretend he’s a police officer so they can receive free perks around town. Meanwhile, when Pat tells Eileen about an upcoming date he’s going on, she takes matters into her own hands when it comes to a potential suitor in her dating life.

Episode credits

Directed by Eyal GordinWritten by Kristin Newman

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Episode 13

The Real Prom

23m8.0 / 10finale

As the school prom approaches, Kenny tries to think of who the best guy would be to ask as his date. With time running out, Kenny and Jimmy try to come up with the perfect “prom-posal” for the classmates they each have set their sights on. Shannon thinks the idea behind prom is a scam and would rather stay at home, but once Pat discovers she was asked to attend, he tries to convince her to go. Meanwhile, Eileen tries to keep VP Murray’s romantic attention at bay but struggles to resist.

Episode credits

Directed by Todd HollandWritten by Stacy Traub, Casey Johnson, David WindsorGuest stars Kaylee Kaneshiro

Where to watch The Real O'Neals

Episode information updated Sep 17, 2026

More about The Real O'Neals

Cast

Martha PlimptonEileen O'Neal
Jay R. FergusonPat O'Neal
Noah GalvinKenny O'Neal
Matt ShivelyJimmy O'Neal
Bebe WoodShannon O'Neal
Mary Hollis InbodenAunt Jodi
Jane LynchJane Lynch
RuPaulRuPaul

Credits

Created by
Joshua Sternin, Jennifer Ventimilia
Written by
Kristin Newman, Becky Mann, Audra Sielaff, Stacy Traub, Adam Roberts, Cheryl Holliday, Robert Sudduth, Casey Johnson, David Windsor, Steve Joe, Todd Holland, Kevin Biegel, Lee Sung Jin, Sam Laybourne, Billy Finnegan, Lewaa Nasserdeen, Josh Kirby

Production details

Status
Canceled
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
29
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ABCUnited States
  • Hypomania Content
  • ABC StudiosUnited States
  • di Bonaventura PicturesUnited States

Themes

catholicfamilylgbtlgbt teensitcom