The Torkelsons (1991)
A warm-hearted NBC family comedy-drama about a resilient single mother raising five children in small-town Oklahoma after her husband walks away.
The Torkelsons - Series Information
- Original Title: The Torkelsons
- First Air Year: 1991
- Last Air Year: 1993
- Created by: Lynn Montgomery
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family
- Content Rating (US): TV-G
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (24 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 33
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 21, 1991 (United States - TV-G)
- Networks: NBC
- Alternative Titles: Mal de Família (PT), Torkelsonék (HU), Los Torkelsons (PE), Almost Home (US), Rodzina Torkelsonów (PL), La familia Tórkelson (ES), Alle meine Kinder (DE), Un raggio di luna per Dorothy Jane (IT)
- Production Companies: Touchstone Television, Walt Disney Television, Michael Jacobs Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Torkelsons - Plot
Millicent Torkelson does what she can to hold her family together as it shrinks to just her and her children after her husband Randy abandons the family.
The Torkelsons - Trailer
See the Torkelson family in action in this official video:
The Torkelsons - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Lynn Montgomery
Main Cast
- Connie Ray
- Olivia Burnette
- Lee Norris
- Rachel Duncan
- Aaron Michael Metchik
- Anna Slotky
- William Schallert
- Brittany Murphy
- Jason Marsden
- Perry King
Executive Producers
- Michael Jacobs
The Torkelsons - FAQs
What is The Torkelsons about?
The Torkelsons follows Millicent Torkelson, a resourceful single mother raising five children in small-town Oklahoma after her husband walks out on the family. Blending warm comedy with genuine emotional depth, the show explores resilience, sibling bonds, and the everyday struggles of making ends meet with grace and humor.
Who played Dorothy Jane Torkelson in the series?
Olivia Burnette played Dorothy Jane Torkelson, the eldest daughter and the show's emotional anchor. Dorothy Jane was known for her habit of gazing at the moon and narrating her inner thoughts aloud, a charming device that gave the series much of its distinctive, introspective warmth.
Was Brittany Murphy in The Torkelsons?
Brittany Murphy appeared in the second season of The Torkelsons, retitled Almost Home, playing Molly Morgan. It was one of her early television roles before she became a major Hollywood star. Her performance alongside Perry King as her father Brian Morgan brought fresh energy to the revamped second season.
Why was The Torkelsons retitled Almost Home in season two?
The second season underwent a significant format change: Millicent took a live-in nanny job for a widower named Brian Morgan and his children in Seattle, shifting the setting away from Oklahoma. To reflect this new direction, NBC rebranded the show as Almost Home, though it retained the same core family cast.
How many seasons and episodes does The Torkelsons have?
The Torkelsons ran for two seasons on NBC, totaling 33 episodes. Season 1 comprised 20 episodes, while Season 2 — broadcast under the title Almost Home — contained 13 episodes. The series aired from September 1991 to 1993 before concluding its run.
Where was The Torkelsons set and filmed?
The first season was set in the fictional small town of Pyramid Corners, Oklahoma, capturing the charm and tight-knit feel of rural American life. The second season relocated the story to Seattle, Washington, as Millicent took on a new role as a live-in nanny for the Morgan family.
Who created The Torkelsons and who produced it?
The Torkelsons was created by Lynn Montgomery and produced by Michael Jacobs Productions in association with Touchstone Television and Walt Disney Television. Executive producer Michael Jacobs was already well known for family-friendly hits, and the series reflected his signature blend of warmth, humor, and relatable domestic storytelling.
What shows are similar to The Torkelsons?
Fans of The Torkelsons tend to enjoy other heartfelt family comedies like Step by Step, Growing Pains, and Raising Hope for their blend of humor and domestic warmth. Sister, Sister and Fuller House also capture a similar spirit of resilient family bonds navigating everyday challenges with humor and heart.
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