As The Conners prepares to wrap up its seventh and final season, many longtime fans have noticed the absence of certain Roseanne characters. While some have been explained within the show or by producers, others remain mysteries in the spinoff’s continuity. Here’s a breakdown of the missing characters from the original Roseanne series and why they never made it into The Conners.

1. Mark Healy
   Mark Healy, Darlene’s late husband, was referenced multiple times on Roseanne and The Conners, but his death remained somewhat of a mystery. While it was mentioned that he passed away in a freak accident, the details of his death were never fully explored. Becky Conner, in The Conners Season 3, mentioned that a deer had caused the accident that killed Mark, but no other explanations have been provided. Fans of the character have long wondered about his absence, but it was later explained that Mark’s tragic passing is part of the show’s continuity changes after Roseanne was revived.

2. Jerry Garcia Conner
   Jerry Garcia, Dan and Roseanne’s youngest son, was notably absent from The Conners, with his absence becoming a running joke. In a Season 3 episode of The Conners, Becky mentioned that she, Darlene, and DJ were the only three Conner children, forgetting about Jerry entirely. This was later addressed by executive producer Bruce Helford, who teased that Jerry’s exclusion could eventually be explained in future episodes, but he was never shown or mentioned again after that. It remains one of the unresolved mysteries of the show.

3. Andy Harris
   Jackie’s son, Andy, was another character who didn’t make it into the Roseanne revival or The Conners. In an explanation provided by producers, Andy’s existence was dismissed as part of a larger continuity shift. The show’s creators chose not to acknowledge certain years as part of the Roseanne dream sequence, which included Andy and his storyline. This decision was made to streamline the narrative and eliminate plotlines that no longer fit with the new direction of the show.

4. Fred
   Fred, Jackie’s ex-husband and Andy’s father, was also left out of The Conners. He appeared in earlier seasons of Roseanne but was never mentioned during the revival or its spinoff. While The Conners hinted at Jackie’s past relationships, Fred’s absence was never explained. Even as Jackie remarried Neville, Fred was never referenced, leaving fans to wonder what happened to him. Producers did suggest that his absence was part of a reworked narrative universe, but no clear answers were ever provided.

5. Ed Conner
   Dan’s father, Ed Conner, played by Ned Beatty, was part of the original Roseanne series but was notably absent in The Conners. His absence was initially not explained until Season 2, when Dan discovered his father’s obituary. It was revealed that Dan had not spoken to Ed in years, though new details about Ed’s life were inconsistent with previous information. Despite some attempts to revisit this storyline, Ed’s character was ultimately left out of the narrative, leaving fans to wonder about his true fate.

6. Leon Carp
   Leon Carp, portrayed by Martin Mull, was an integral part of Roseanne as Roseanne’s manager and later co-owner of The Lunch Box. However, Leon’s absence from The Conners was never fully explained until the final season of the spinoff. After Mull’s death, executive producers confirmed that they had discussed reintroducing Leon in the finale, but those plans were ultimately scrapped. Though his name had been brought up in writers’ rooms, Leon’s character was never brought back on-screen due to Mull’s passing.

While these missing characters and their unresolved storylines may have left some fans feeling nostalgic, The Conners continued to focus on the core characters of the Conner family, and these absences were part of the show’s broader changes in continuity. Despite the questions left unanswered, The Conners has remained a beloved continuation of the Roseanne legacy, tackling real-life issues with humor and heart until its final episode.