The McPoyle Patriarch Returns: Guillermo del Toro Reprises Pappy in ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia'

Published 03/05/2026, 12:29 AM EST

Known for his disaster‑filled escapades, awkward charm, and chaotic antics, Pappy McPoyle, played by Guillermo del Toro, has long been a fan favourite in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Del Toro first donned the role in Season 8’s The Maureen Ponderosa Wedding Massacre and later returned in Season 11’s McPoyle vs. Ponderosa: The Trial of the Century, making his screen presence as the bizarre McPoyle patriarch both unforgettable and wildly hilarious. However, the character seems poised to shake things up once again

Apparently, the McPoyles are not done haunting Philadelphia yet, Guillermo del Toro has recently hinted that Pappy may soon return to inflict fresh chaos in Season 18.

Pappy McPoyle is making his return in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

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 It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has blasted through 17 explosive seasons on FXX, proving that its wild, unrelenting energy shows no signs of fading, captivating millions of die-hard fans. Now, the spotlight swings back as Guillermo del Toro teases on X that Pappy McPoyle is returning, sending fans into a frenzy. After keeping audiences in stitches with previous appearances, the OG troublemaker is set to ignite chaos and hilarity once more in Season 18.

 "Pappy is coming back" Guillermo del Toro tweeted on his X account.

So far, Season 17 of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia has firmly positioned the gang in the limelight throne, earning a scorching 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its unrelenting humor and chaotic brilliance. However, the triumph did not stop there, the standout Abbott Elementary crossover episode alone drew 3.76 million live viewers, and with DVR and streaming numbers added, the total climbed to an astonishing 4.57 million, proving that the franchise’s wild energy continues to captivate audiences like never before.

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With so much fevered fandom and laughter‑filled anticipation, the buzz around Season 18 has set social media ablaze, leaving fans wondering who else is joining the gang as it rolls back onto screens to deliver chaos, comedy, and pure, unpredictable madness.

Everything you need to know about It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 18

With Guillermo del Toro returning as the unforgettable Pappy McPoyle in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, several other familiar faces are set to join the chaos in Season 18. Fans can expect Charlie Day as the lovable yet unhinged co-owner Charlie Kelly, Glenn Howerton’s self-obsessed bartender Dennis Reynolds, Rob McElhenney as the self-proclaimed tough guy Mac, Kaitlin Olson bringing Dee Reynolds’ relentless ambition to life, and Danny DeVito’s eccentric Frank Reynolds, whose arrival in Season 2 forever altered the gang’s dynamic.

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Filming began in early 2026, continuing the series’ decades-long legacy of outrageous antics and twisted humor. While no official premiere date for Season 18 has been announced, production activity hints at a likely release later in the year. Fans are already buzzing over behind-the-scenes tidbits, and the return of Frankenstein's director Guillermo del Toro as Pappy McPoyle promises to bring even more chaos, laughter, and unforgettable mischief to the screen.

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Are you excited to see Pappy McPoyle return in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia? Let us know in the comments.

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Lisa Roy

29 articles

Lisa Roy is an Entertainment Writer at NetflixJunkie, bringing Hollywood’s biggest moments to life through crisp news and fan-focused feature stories. With a Master’s in English Literature and over four years of experience across national and international domains , she is known for an eye for stories that fans instantly connect with. While she enjoys covering real-world gossip, she is deeply drawn to fictional universes of wizardry and witches.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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