From Orson To Hollywood: Where Are The Middle Cast Now In 2025? (The Heck Family's Surprising New Careers)

The Heck family has officially left Orson, Indiana, for good, and the lives of the actors who played them have taken some incredibly surprising turns as of December 2025. Since the ABC sitcom The Middle concluded its nine-season run in 2018, the cast members have branched out into new creative ventures, with some embracing the spotlight in major new film and television projects, while others have quietly transitioned into completely different careers, like professional music and focusing on voice acting.

The question of "Where is The Middle cast now?" reveals a landscape far more diverse than just traditional acting roles. From the matriarch, Frankie Heck, launching a new book and production deal, to Axl Heck's portrayer becoming a full-time touring musician, the updates for Patricia Heaton, Eden Sher, Charlie McDermott, Neil Flynn, and Atticus Shaffer show a group of performers who have successfully navigated life after their hit show.

The Heck Family: Complete Cast Biography & Profile Updates (2025)

Here is a detailed look at the core cast of The Middle, their birth details, notable roles, and their most current career status in late 2025.

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• Patricia Heaton (Frankie Heck)
  • Born: March 4, 1958 (Age 67)
  • Hometown: Bay Village, Ohio, U.S.
  • Notable Roles: Debra Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond), Frankie Heck (The Middle)
  • Current Status: Emmy-winning actress, author, and producer with a major CBS Studios development deal.
  • 2025 Update: Promoting her latest film and new book, Your Second Act.
• Neil Flynn (Mike Heck)
  • Born: November 13, 1960 (Age 65)
  • Hometown: Waukegan, Illinois, U.S.
  • Notable Roles: The Janitor (Scrubs), Mike Heck (The Middle)
  • Current Status: Active actor, comedian, and voice actor.
  • 2025 Update: Continues to work in the industry, exploring new roles in film and television.
• Charlie McDermott (Axl Heck)
  • Born: April 6, 1990 (Age 35)
  • Hometown: West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
  • Notable Roles: Axl Heck (The Middle), Brad (The Office)
  • Current Status: Musician, director, and writer. Has been cited as a "retired actor" since 2019.
  • 2025 Update: Focused entirely on his music career, including a debut UK/EU tour in late 2024.
• Eden Sher (Sue Heck)
  • Born: December 26, 1991 (Age 33)
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Notable Roles: Sue Heck (The Middle), Star Butterfly (Star vs. the Forces of Evil)
  • Current Status: Highly active actress, comedian, and voice artist with multiple projects in production.
  • 2025 Update: Starring in five new series and movies, and appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
• Atticus Shaffer (Brick Heck)
  • Born: June 19, 1998 (Age 27)
  • Hometown: Santa Clarita, California, U.S.
  • Notable Roles: Brick Heck (The Middle), Ono (The Lion Guard)
  • Current Status: Successful voice actor and active in major animated projects.
  • 2025 Update: Continues his career primarily in voice acting, lending his distinctive voice to various projects.

Patricia Heaton's 'Second Act' and Powerhouse Production Deal

The show’s star, Patricia Heaton, who played the perpetually stressed but loving mother Frankie Heck, has arguably had the most high-profile career trajectory since The Middle wrapped. After the short-lived CBS sitcom Carol’s Second Act, Heaton has focused on a diverse portfolio that extends beyond traditional television acting.

In 2025, Heaton is actively promoting her new film, Unexpected, a bittersweet family comedy that she produced and stars in, which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. This project highlights her growing role as a producer in Hollywood. Furthermore, her production company, FourBoys, secured a deal with CBS Studios, signaling her intent to develop and produce new series. This move positions Heaton not just as an actress, but as a major industry player creating new content.

Beyond the screen, Patricia Heaton has also become a published author. Her book, Your Second Act, published by Simon & Schuster, is a personal exploration of finding new purpose after her children left home, a concept known as the empty nest syndrome. This focus on a "second act" mirrors her own career pivot, offering inspiration to her dedicated fanbase.

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Eden Sher's Prolific 2025: From Spinoff Talk to Five New Projects

Eden Sher, who masterfully portrayed the relentlessly optimistic and often-overlooked middle child, Sue Heck, is experiencing a career resurgence with a packed 2025 schedule. Her character, known for her cheerful spirit and dramatic flair, was the focus of a potential Sue Heck spinoff series that was in the works shortly after The Middle ended.

While the full spinoff did not materialize, Sher's acting career is thriving. Her 2025 filmography is remarkably busy, listing multiple new series and movies. These projects include the series Mamlaket Al Hareer, One Last Sin, and Ward w Shokolata, as well as the movie Al Shater. Her commitment to diverse roles shows a clear move away from being solely defined by her breakout comedic character.

In addition to her screen work, Sher was also a featured personality at the 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, demonstrating her continued presence in the comedy and performance world. Her recent work confirms her status as one of the most active members of the former The Middle cast in the 2025 entertainment landscape.

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From Axl Heck to Folk Musician: Charlie McDermott's Career Pivot

The transition of Charlie McDermott, who played the eldest Heck sibling, Axl Heck, is perhaps the most surprising update for fans. McDermott has officially retired from acting, with his last acting role cited around 2019.

Instead of pursuing new television or film roles, McDermott has fully embraced a new identity as a professional musician. He is now concentrating on his folk music career, writing new songs and taking ownership of his creative process outside of the Hollywood system. This shift was highlighted by his debut UK/EU tour in late 2024, which introduced his music to an international audience.

This career change is a significant departure from his time as the popular, often shirtless, Axl Heck, showcasing his dedication to music over his prior acting fame. Fans looking for his creative output will now find him on stage with a guitar rather than on a soundstage.

Neil Flynn and Atticus Shaffer: Continued Success in Established Niches

The remaining members of the Heck family have settled into successful, yet distinct, career paths.

Neil Flynn (Mike Heck)

Neil Flynn, the deadpan and stoic father Mike Heck, continues to be a working actor in the industry. While he is best known for his nine-year run on The Middle and his iconic role as The Janitor on Scrubs, Flynn's career remains active. He is a versatile performer who often takes on diverse roles in both television and film, leveraging his comedic timing and distinctive presence. Although no specific new 2025 projects have been announced, his commitment to the entertainment industry is ongoing, with fans eagerly awaiting his next on-screen appearance.

Atticus Shaffer (Brick Heck)

Atticus Shaffer, who played the quirky, bookish, and whisper-prone youngest child, Brick Heck, has found his primary success in the voice acting world. Shaffer has a distinctive voice that has proven highly valuable in animation. Since The Middle ended, he has built a robust voice acting portfolio, including major roles such as Ono in the Disney Junior series The Lion Guard.

Shaffer's career is a testament to the power of voice work in modern media. He continues to lend his talents to various animated projects, including his previous work as Edgar in the film Frankenweenie and roles in Star vs. the Forces of Evil and Harvey Girls Forever! His focus on this niche allows him to maintain an active career while managing his Type IV Osteogenesis Imperfecta (brittle bone disease), a condition he has openly discussed.