My So-Called Life paved the way for teen dramas. ABC aired the show from August 1994 to January 1995. Claire Danes leads the cast as Angela Chase, a high schooler dealing with the chaos of adolescence, friendships, family drama, and first love.
One notable storyline includes Angela and her crush on Jordan Catalano, played by the ever-charming Jared Leto. Though the pair go through many challenges they eventually get together.
The cast also included A.J. Langer who stars as Rayanne Graff, Angela’s wild and unpredictable friend, while Wilson Cruz portrays Rickie Vasquez, the sensitive, openly gay student struggling with his own identity.
Despite critical acclaim, the series was canceled after just one season, with only 19 of 22 planned episodes produced. The show’s untimely end was largely attributed to stiff competition in its time slot and lackluster ratings.
Here are 10 intriguing facts about this cult classic that you might not know:
Were all the episodes ever completed?
The show’s abrupt cancellation prevented it from finishing its planned 22-episode arc. Fans were left with an unresolved storyline, and the series finale aired as an unintentional cliffhanger.
My So-Called Life struggled to find its footing against heavyweight Thursday night shows like Friends, Mad About You, Living Single, and Martin.
Despite a second airing on MTV during its “Buzz Bin” block to attract more teenage viewers, the series never gained a large enough audience.
Jordan Catalano Was Almost a One-Time Character
Jared Leto’s character, Jordan Catalano, was initially written for the pilot episode only. However, producers recognized the character’s potential and made him a series regular—despite Leto almost turning down the role.
Due to child labor laws, Claire Danes’ work hours were restricted during filming.
Did Kaley Cuoco make a guest appearance?
Before becoming a household name on The Big Bang Theory, a young Kaley Cuoco appeared in a flashback scene as Angela Chase’s younger self in the episode “Father Figures.”
What fans might be surprised to know is that Claire Danes was only 15 years old during filming, meanwhile, Jared Leto, who played her high school love interest, was 23.
Alicia Silverstone Almost Played Angela Chase
Before Claire Danes won the role, Alicia Silverstone was a frontrunner. At 16 and emancipated, Silverstone could work longer hours, making her a strong candidate. Ultimately, the producers chose Danes.
Filming Locations – The series takes place in Three Rivers, a fictional Pittsburgh suburb.
Were Jared and Shannon Leto on set together?
Jared Leto’s brother, Shannon Leto, appeared in the series as the drummer for the band Frozen Embryos in the early episodes. Just four years after the show’s cancellation, the brothers formed the now-famous rock band 30 Seconds to Mars.
Another interesting fact includes that series creator Winnie Holzman made a brief cameo as Mrs. Krzyzanowski, a guidance counselor in the episode “Father Figures.”
Other interesting facts from My So-Called Life:
The character of Rickie Vasquez made TV history: Played by Wilson Cruz, Rickie was the first openly gay teenager on network TV, which was groundbreaking at the time.
Claire Danes and Jared Leto have both opened up in interviews about their experiences on set, as they shared some behind-the-scenes secrets about their relationship. Danes shared some of her awkward experiences, including her first on-screen kiss with Jared Leto.
Despite having kissed other people before, the scene called for a more complicated kiss than Danes had ever experienced.
She admitted that she didn’t know how to handle it, so she turned to Leto for help. “So Jared had to explain that to me, which was very embarrassing, ” she said. On working with him, she added: “No, he was way too old. I was way too terrified. It was very fraternal. And he was actually pretty protective of me.”
Meanwhile, Jared shared that his time on the show felt like a brief chapter in his career because Jordan barely spoke during episodes.
In a candid moment, the actor shared: “I feel like it was such a short period of my life… Let’s face it, I barely spoke! I have a lot of gratitude for starting there, but they made such a big deal of the character in the show… I think for some people, especially girls at that time, it mirrored something in their lives.”
Despite its critical acclaim, My So-Called Life struggled with low ratings, leading to its cancellation after just one season. However, fans rallied behind it through the first online campaign to save a show, sending thousands of letters to ABC executives.
My So-Called Life may have been short-lived, but it’s remembered for its real and raw portrayal of high school experience.