It’s been over a decade since How I Met Your Mother wrapped up its nine-season run, leaving fans with mixed feelings about its controversial ending. But what have the stars of this beloved sitcom been up to since hanging up their suits and heading out of MacLaren’s Pub for the last time? Let’s check in on the main cast and see where their careers have taken them.
Josh Radnor (Ted Mosby)
After spending nine years as the hopeless romantic architect Ted Mosby, Josh Radnor has diversified his career both on and off screen.
Radnor took on more dramatic roles, appearing in the PBS Civil War medical drama Mercy Street and the Amazon Prime series Hunters alongside Al Pacino. He’s also flexed his musical muscles, forming the indie folk duo Radnor & Lee with Australian singer-songwriter Ben Lee.
In a surprising career shift, Radnor made his directorial debut with the independent film Happythankyoumoreplease in 2010, which won the Audience Award at Sundance. He followed this up with Liberal Arts in 2012.
Most recently, Radnor starred in the critically acclaimed Hulu miniseries Fleishman Is in Trouble, based on the novel by Taffy Brodesser-Akner.
On the personal front, Radnor tied the knot with clinical psychologist Jordana Jacobs in January 2024, sharing the news with fans via a heartfelt Instagram post.
Neil Patrick Harris (Barney Stinson)
Neil Patrick Harris has perhaps had the most prolific post-HIMYM career of the main cast. He’s seamlessly transitioned between television, film, and stage, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Harris took on the role of Count Olaf in Netflix’s adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events, running for three seasons. He also appeared in the fourth installment of The Matrix franchise, The Matrix Resurrections.
Returning to his musical theatre roots, Harris starred in the London production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, earning rave reviews for his performance.
In 2022, Harris starred in the Netflix romantic comedy series Uncoupled, though it was unfortunately cancelled after one season. He also made a surprise cameo appearance in the How I Met Your Father spinoff series, delighting fans with a brief return as Barney Stinson.
Outside of acting, Harris has become a popular awards show host, helming the Tony Awards four times and the Emmy Awards twice.
Cobie Smulders (Robin Scherbatsky)
Cobie Smulders leveraged her HIMYM fame into a significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Maria Hill across multiple films and TV series.
Smulders appeared in several Marvel blockbusters, including The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Spider-Man: Far From Home. She also had a recurring role in the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV series.
Outside the superhero realm, Smulders starred in the Netflix series Friends from College and had a lead role in the ABC crime drama Stumptown, though it was unfortunately cancelled after one season due to COVID-19 production issues.
Most recently, Smulders joined the cast of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series Shrinking, starring alongside Jason Segel and Harrison Ford.
Like her co-star Neil Patrick Harris, Smulders also made a guest appearance on How I Met Your Father, reprising her role as Robin Scherbatsky and providing some nostalgic callbacks for longtime fans.
Jason Segel (Marshall Eriksen)
Jason Segel has balanced his post-HIMYM career between comedy and more dramatic roles, showcasing his range as an actor.
Segel starred in and co-wrote The End of the Tour, a biographical drama about writer David Foster Wallace, which earned him critical acclaim. He also appeared in the sci-fi thriller The Discovery alongside Rooney Mara and Robert Redford.
Returning to his comedy roots, Segel created and starred in the AMC series Dispatches from Elsewhere, an quirky anthology series that ran for one season.
Most recently, Segel has found success with the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, which he co-created with Ted Lasso writers Bill Lawrence and Brett Goldstein. The show, in which Segel stars as a grieving therapist who starts to break the rules with his patients, has been renewed for a second season and earned Segel an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Alyson Hannigan (Lily Aldrin)
Alyson Hannigan has kept a relatively lower profile compared to some of her co-stars, but has still remained active in the entertainment industry.
Hannigan lent her voice to the Disney Junior animated series Fancy Nancy, playing the titular character’s mother, Claire Clancy, from 2018 to 2023.
In 2019, Hannigan appeared in the live-action Kim Possible movie on Disney Channel, playing the role of brain surgeon Dr. Ann Possible.
Hannigan has also become a popular host for magic-themed television shows. She hosted Penn & Teller: Fool Us for several seasons and currently hosts Outrageous Pumpkins on the Food Network.
In 2023, Hannigan competed on the 32nd season of Dancing with the Stars, finishing in 5th place with her professional partner, Sasha Farber.
Cristin Milioti (Tracy McConnell)
Despite her relatively brief appearance as the titular “Mother” in HIMYM, Cristin Milioti has gone on to have a diverse and successful career in both television and film.
Milioti starred in the critically acclaimed Black Mirror episode “USS Callister” and had a recurring role in the second season of the FX series Fargo.
She showcased her comedic chops in the time-loop romantic comedy Palm Springs opposite Andy Samberg, which premiered at Sundance and became a hit on Hulu during the 2020 lockdown.
Milioti then took on the lead role in the HBO Max sci-fi comedy series Made for Love, which ran for two seasons. She followed this up with a starring role in Peacock’s mystery comedy series The Resort in 2022.
Most recently, Milioti has joined the DC Universe, playing Sofia Falcone in the The Penguin spinoff series set in Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe.
From sitcom stardom to superhero franchises, from indie films to prestige TV series, the cast of How I Met Your Mother has certainly been keeping busy. While they may not be hanging out at MacLaren’s anymore, it’s clear that Ted, Robin, Barney, Marshall, and Lily - or rather, the talented actors who brought them to life - are still entertaining audiences in new and exciting ways.