Popverse's top stories of the day

• Don't expect a Superman movie panel at San Diego Comic-Con; DC Studios co-head James Gunn says it's all Peacemaker and John Cena this year
• MEMBERS ONLY: Marvel Comics' original Ultimate Spider-Man reboot writer Donny Cates opens up on where he's been, where he's going, and how he's been
• WATCH NOW: Watch the Dan Fogler Live Q&A from London's MCM 2025!

In 2005, Ted Mosby sat his kids down to tell them the story of how he met their mother.

The story was…a bit long. In fact, it took him nine years to finish.

But what a story it was. How I Met Your Mother was a sitcom with heart and humor. For nine years, audiences were entertained by Ted’s messy love life, Barney’s eccentric schemes, Marshall and Lily’s life as newlyweds, and all the gang's adventures. It wasn’t about meeting the mother, but rather the journey Ted’s life took that eventually led him to his soulmate.

The series ended in 2014, and the cast has been pretty busy since then. Let’s check and see what they’ve been up to.

Josh Radnor (Ted Mosby)

Josh Radnor played Ted Mosby, an architect who was searching for his soulmate in New York City. As the series progresses, Ted is left at the altar and finds a new career as a professor at Columbia University. The series ends with Ted meeting his soulmate, Tracy, but his future narration reveals she died after a long illness. Years after Tracy’s death, Ted declares his love for his longtime friend (and former girlfriend) Robin Scherbatsky.

After How I Met Your Mother ended, Radnor appeared in the films The Seeker, Social Animals, Three Birthdays, and All Happy Families. He’s also had a busy television career, playing lead roles in Mercy Street, Rise, Hunters, and Centaurworld. Radnor has spent a lot of time on stage, taking many theatre roles, including a stint at the Lyceum Theatre playing Isaac in Disgraced. He’s also teamed up with musician Ben Lee to form the musical duo Radnor and Lee.

Jason Segel (Marshall Eriksen)

Jason Segel played Marshall Eriksen, a law student and best friend of Ted Mosby. Marshall would eventually graduate from law school, pass the bar exam, and become a lawyer. Early episodes of the series focused on Marshall’s relationship with Lily Aldrin, as they break up, get back together, get married, and have children. Marshall was a bit of a goofball at times, giving the series some of its best comedic moments.

Shortly after How I Met Your Mother ended, Jason Segel wrote, executive produced, and starred in the raunchy 2014 comedy Sex Tape. In 2020, Segal created and starred in the AMC drama Dispatches from Elsewhere. Segal is currently starring alongside Harrison Ford in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. The series, which Segal created, wrote, and executive produced, has earned the actor many accolades, including a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.

Alyson Hannigan (Lily Aldrin)

Alyson Hannigan played Lily Aldrin, a kindergarten teacher who tried to serve as the voice of reason for the group. However, she wasn’t above extreme fits of anger when someone messed with her husband and her friends, turning into a fierce mama bear. When the series began, Lily was engaged to Marshall, but she got cold feet and called off their wedding. Marshall and Lily eventually worked out their problems, got married, and had several children.

After How I Met Your Mother wrapped, Hannigan hosted the magic competition show Penn & Teller: Fool Us from 2016 to 2023. She must have liked the experience, because Hannigan would go on to host Outrageous Pumpkins and Girl Scout Cookie Championship. Hannigan also voiced the character Claire Clancy in the Disney Junior animated series Fancy Nancy. In 2023, Hannigan finished fifth place on Dancing with the Stars season 32. 

Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson)

Neil Patrick Harris played Barney Stinson, Ted and Marshall’s eccentric friend. Barney was known for his love of suits and was rarely seen without one. He was an unapologetic womanizer, but as the series progressed, he fell in love with and married Robin Scherbatsky. However, the flashforwards in the series finale reveal that Barney and Robin eventually divorced.

Barney would end his womanizing after a one-night stand resulted in the birth of a baby daughter. Barney’s eccentric nature made him the breakout character of the series. He gave the show some of its most notable catchphrases, including “Legen….wait for it…dary.”

Neil Patrick Harris has continued to be an in-demand actor since How I Met Your Mother ended. He’s appeared in movies such as Gone Girl, Downsizing, The Matrix Resurrections, and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. He portrayed the sinister Count Olaf on the Netflix television show A Series of Unfortunate Events. He’s made some guest appearances on a few major franchises, such as his role as the Toymaker on Doctor Who and voicing Karre in Star Wars: Visions. Harris has also dabbled in writing, authoring the young reader fantasy series The Magic Misfits.

Cobie Smulders (Robin Scherbatsky)

Cobie Smulders played Robin Scherbatsky, a news anchor who developed a romantic relationship with both Ted and Barney. Prior to becoming a news anchor, Robin had been a pop star in her home country, Canada, a fact which embarrasses her. Robin and Barney marry in the series finale, but the epilogue reveals that they divorced and remained on good terms. During the final minutes of the series, Ted and Robin end up together after he declares his love for her once more.

After How I Met Your Mother ended, Smulders kept herself busy with various television and film projects. Smulders continued her role as Maria Hill in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing the character in multiple projects such as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. The character was eventually killed off in the Disney+ limited series Secret Invasion. Smulders also holds the distinction of being the first person to play Wonder Woman in a theatrical film, voicing the character in the 2014 animated film The Lego Movie. 

Smulders played Simone Bates in the Freevee series High School and Dexadrine Parios in the ABC crime drama Stumptown. In 2015, Smulders revealed that she had been receiving treatment for ovarian cancer since 2007. After multiple operations, Smulders announced that her cancer was in remission in 2019.

Bob Saget (Future Ted Mosby aka the Narrator)

Bob Saget voiced Future Ted Mosby, the narrator of the series. Although he was never physically seen, his voice can be heard in every episode of the series. The framing device for each episode was that Future Ted Mosby was telling his children the story of how he met their mother. When the story concludes in the finale and we see Future Ted for the first time, Josh Radnor plays him, rather than Bob Saget. The series ends with Future Ted’s children encouraging their father, now a widower, to romantically pursue Robin.

After How I Met Your Mother ended, Saget returned to one of his most iconic roles. Saget reprised his role as Danny Tanner for the Netflix series Fuller House, a sequel to the ‘90s era ABC sitcom Full House. He also played the role of Mel in the 2016 film A Stand Up Guy. In 2018, Saget directed, produced, and starred in the film Benjamin. The movie was the first film to be distributed exclusively by Redbox. Between film and television appearances, Saget continued doing live stand-up comedy.

On January 9, 2022, Bob Saget was found dead in a Florida hotel room. An autopsy report found that the comedian had suffered blunt head trauma on the back of his head. It was theorized by authorities that he had fallen or accidentally knocked himself on the back of the head. Many actors released tributes after Saget’s tragic death, including his How I Met Your Mother costars. 

Cristin Milioti (Tracy McConnell aka the Mother)

Cristin Milioti plays Tracy McConnell, aka the Mother. Although she’s the title character of the series, Tracy didn’t appear until the season eight finale. Ted and Tracy narrowly miss meeting one another numerous times throughout season nine before finally coming face to face in the series finale. The epilogue reveals that they had a whirlwind courtship, got married, and had kids. Tragically, Tracy died after contracting an unknown terminal illness.

Milioti’s star power has continued to rise since How I Met Your Mother ended. The actress won a Critics’ Choice Super Award for Best Actress in a Science Fiction and Fantasy Movie and a Hollywood Critics Association Film Award for Breakthrough Performance from an Actress for her role as Sarah Wilder in the 2020 film Palm Springs. Comic book fans might recognize her as Sofia Falcone in the 2024 Max series The Penguin. Milioti’s role as Sofia earned her numerous accolades, including a Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Limited Series.

Did anyone from How I Met Your Mother date in real life?

None of the core cast members dated one another, but their various partners and spouses have appeared on the show. David Burtka, who plays Scooter, is Neil Patrick Harris’ husband. Alexis Denisof, who plays Sandy Rivers, has been married to Alyson Hannigan since 2003. Tarran Killam, who plays Gary Blauman, is married to Cobie Smulders. 

Did the cast of How I Met Your Mother get along in real life?

By all accounts, the How I Met Your Mother cast seems to get along in real life. The actors always spoke fondly of one another in interviews, and the show’s various blooper reels point to a warm relationship. The cast still gets together socially, posting pictures of one another on social media. Some internet sleuths have clocked that Neil Patrick Harris doesn’t follow Josh Radnor on Instagram, but it’s best not to read too much into something like that. 

Did anyone from How I Met Your Mother reprise their roles on How I Met Your Father?

In 2022 Hulu began airing How I Met Your Father, a gender flipped spin-off of How I Met Your Mother. The characters didn’t have any overt connection to the HIMYM gang, but Jesse and Sid lived in Ted and Marshall’s old apartment. Cobie Smulders reprised her role as Robin in the season one finale, giving Sophie advice on her love life. Neil Patrick Harris reprises his role as Barney in season two, encouraging Sophie to find her birth father. Barney’s cameo demonstrated how much the character had grown, as he showed off a picture of his daughter, and spoke about his struggles leaving womanizing behind. Other minor HIMYM characters appeared throughout the show’s two season run, such as the Captain, Becky, Sandy Rivers, and Carl the Bartender. 

 Here's how to watch How I Met Your Mother in order.