Is Barney Stinson making a 2022 comeback? Neil Patrick Harris thinks his character should change first: 'Barney would be in jail'
Sorry, Stinson stans.
With the release of the How I Met Your Mother spinoff titled How I Met Your Father (HIMYF) on Jan. 18, fans may ask: are we seeing the old characters make an appearance any time soon?
Neil Patrick Harris, who plays the original show’s serial womanizer Barney Stinson, says that the possibility of him coming back are low — unless his character makes some personality changes.
In an interview with HIMYF lead star Hilary Duff for his weekly email newsletter, Harris said: "As for coming on your show, I worry."
"Barney's antics, his overt delusions of grandeur, would likely get everyone in trouble. So, unless he's changed his ways or joined a nunnery, not sure if it's in anyone's best interest."
Duff agreed with Neil’s perspective, especially considering the rise of the #MeTooMovement in recent years. Aside from being a womanizer, Harris' fictional character was also known to originate "The Playbook", his own DIY guidebook on how to pick up women and take them home.
"I'm not sure how you feel about this, but I'm pretty sure Barney would... be in jail in 2022,” Duff joked.
"Since we're living in the world of females coming into power, I'm assuming that's why they made him a woman," the actress added, pertaining to HIMYF’s own take on the serial dater: Valentina, portrayed by Francia Raisa.
Meanwhile, How I Met Your Father is now on its fourth episode with a weekly release by Hulu. The reboot sees Duff’s Sophie navigating the modern dating scene before eventually meeting her husband.