“No Ordinary Family” – The Superpowered Sitcom-Drama That Faded Too Soon
In the early 2010s, when superhero stories were beginning to dominate pop culture, ABC introduced its own take on the genre with No Ordinary Family. Premiering in September 2010, the series blended family drama, comedy, and superhero action, aiming to capture audiences who loved both family-centered shows and comic book adventures. Despite its promising concept and strong cast, the show lasted only one season, ending in April 2011.
The Premise
The series followed the Powell family, an ordinary suburban household whose lives change forever after a plane crash in the Amazon jungle. Upon returning home, they discover each of them has developed unique superpowers:
Jim Powell (Michael Chiklis) – The father, a police sketch artist, gains super strength and invulnerability, allowing him to fight crime firsthand.
Stephanie Powell (Julie Benz) – The mother, a brilliant scientist, develops super speed, which she uses both in her career and family life.
Daphne Powell (Kay Panabaker) – The teenage daughter, inherits telepathy, giving her the power to read minds.
JJ Powell (Jimmy Bennett) – The youngest son, initially without powers, later develops super intelligence, excelling academically in ways he never had before.
Together, the Powells must balance the challenges of their new abilities with the normal struggles of family life, careers, and growing up. Their performances helped ground the mix of action, humor, and heartfelt family dynamics.
Reception
When it premiered, No Ordinary Family received mixed reviews. Many praised the likable cast and fun premise but felt the show struggled to balance its tones. Some viewers expected a darker, action-heavy superhero drama, while others wanted a lighter family comedy. Instead, the series often landed somewhere in between.
The show also faced tough competition from more established series and didn’t manage to capture strong ratings.
Why It Was Canceled
No Ordinary Family ran for 20 episodes before being canceled by ABC in 2011. The main reasons included:
– Declining ratings throughout its run.
– Struggles with tone, unsure whether to lean into superhero action or family drama.
– A crowded TV landscape, with other shows pulling in stronger audiences.
Despite its cancellation, the show built a small but loyal fanbase who appreciated its mix of superhero fun and family storytelling.
The Legacy
Though short-lived, No Ordinary Family remains an interesting footnote in the evolution of superhero television. It aired before the explosion of interconnected superhero universes on TV (Arrowverse, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., etc.), and in some ways, it feels like a precursor to later family-focused superhero stories such as The Incredibles or Raising Dion.
Fans of the show often remember it for its heartwarming family dynamic and for giving Michael Chiklis yet another superhero role (he famously played The Thing in Fantastic Four just a few years earlier).
Conclusion
No Ordinary Family may not have lasted beyond one season, but it showcased the potential for blending family sitcom dynamics with superhero storytelling. While it couldn’t quite find its footing in the crowded TV market, it remains a nostalgic watch for fans of early 2010s television and superhero experiments before the genre fully took over.
