Bones: Cast, Roles, Net Worth, Height, Families, and Relationships

Bones (2005–2017) is an American crime procedural drama series created by Hart Hanson, produced by 20th Century Fox Television and distributed by Fox.

Loosely inspired by the forensic novels and career of Kathy Reichs (who served as a producer), it follows Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan, a brilliant forensic anthropologist at the Jeffersonian Institute, who partners with FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth to solve murders using skeletal remains when traditional methods fail.

Blending meticulous science, witty banter, and evolving personal relationships—particularly the slow-burn romance between Brennan and Booth—the series balances “squint” lab antics with high-stakes investigations, exploring themes of intellect vs. intuition, family secrets, and redemption.

Filmed primarily at Fox Studios in Los Angeles (with occasional Vancouver exteriors for seasons 1–2), the 12-season run (246 episodes) premiered September 13, 2005, and concluded March 28, 2017.

With an estimated $2–3 million per episode budget (totaling ~$500–$700 million), it drew from Reichs’ expertise for authenticity, including real forensic consultants. No box-office as a TV series, but it generated $100 million+ in syndication (Hulu, Disney+) and merchandise (e.g., Jeffersonian lab kits).

It holds an 88% critic score and 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (aggregated seasons), plus an 8.0/10 on IMDb (from 270,000+ ratings), praised for its character-driven arcs, Brennan-Booth chemistry, and educational forensics but critiqued for formulaic later-season plots and unrealistic resolutions.

Main Cast and Their Roles

Emily Deschanel as Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan

• Role: Brennan, a rational, socially awkward forensic anthropologist and author, leads the Jeffersonian team with unyielding logic while softening through her partnership with Booth and motherhood. Deschanel’s “intellectual powerhouse” portrayal evolved from aloof genius to empathetic matriarch; appeared in all 246 episodes.
• Net Worth: $30 million.
• Height: 5’9″ (1.75 m).
• Family: Born October 11, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, to cinematographer/director Caleb Deschanel (Academy Award nominee) and actress Mary Jo Deschanel (née Weir, of Irish/Scottish descent). Younger sister: Zooey Deschanel (actress, New Girl). Attended Crossroads School for Arts & Sciences and Boston University (BFA in theater). Childhood home destroyed in January 2025 Palisades Fire.
• Relationships: Married actor/writer David Hornsby (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, since 2010; met on Bones set). Sons: Henry (b. 2011), Calvin (b. 2015). Vegan advocate with PETA.
• Post-Film: Recurred in Animal Kingdom (2019–2022); directed Bones episodes. Recent: Devil in Ohio (2022 Netflix); The chiLD Project (2025 docuseries producer); 2025 Boston University commencement speaker (honorary Doctor of Fine Arts).

David Boreanaz as FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth

• Role: Booth, a street-smart, faith-driven FBI agent with military scars, complements Brennan’s science with intuition, fostering their will-they-won’t-they romance amid cases. Boreanaz’s “charming everyman” grounded the procedural; appeared in all 246 episodes.
• Net Worth: $30 million.
• Height: 6’1″ (1.85 m).
• Family: Born May 16, 1969, in Buffalo, New York, to weatherman Dave Boreanaz (Slovak descent) and travel agent Patti Boreanaz. Siblings: sisters Cynthia, Christine. Raised in Philadelphia; attended Ithaca College (communications).
• Relationships: Married actress/model Jaime Bergman (since 2001; met via friend). Children: son Jaden (b. 2002), daughter Bella (b. 2009). Previously married actress Ingrid Quinn (1997–1999). Admitted 2010 affair; couple reconciled via counseling.
• Post-Film: Starred/produced SEAL Team (2017–2024, CBS/Paramount+). Recent: The Bone Collector (2025 series adaptation); directed SEAL Team episodes; podcast Booth & Bones (2024 reunion with Deschanel).

Michaela Conlin as Angela Montenegro

• Role: Angela, Brennan’s artistic best friend and forensic tech wizard using 3D modeling for reconstructions, adds empathy and flair while navigating her on-off romance with Hodgins. Conlin’s “vibrant free spirit” infused heart; appeared in all 246 episodes.
• Net Worth: $4 million.
• Height: 5’8″ (1.73 m).
• Family: Born June 9, 1978, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Chinese-American accountant Denise Conlin and Irish-American contractor Fran Conlin. No siblings reported. Attended Parkland High School; NYU Tisch School of the Arts (BFA in theater).
• Relationships: Private; dated Bones co-star T.J. Thyne (2007–2011, engaged). Rumored with soccer coach Arnar Gunnlaugsson (2012). Mother to son Charlie (b. 2019) and son Theodore (b. 2021); father’s identity undisclosed.
• Post-Film: Starred in Enchanted (2007), Yellowstone (recurring, 2018–2024). Recent: For All Mankind (2023–present, Apple TV+); Bad Trip (2021 Netflix); The Disappointments Room (2016).

T.J. Thyne as Dr. Jack Hodgins

• Role: Hodgins, the eccentric entomologist and conspiracy theorist turned lab head (post-paralysis in season 11), brings humor and grit; his arc with Angela yields marriage and kids. Thyne’s “quirky conspiracy nut” evolved richly; appeared in all 246 episodes.
• Net Worth: $10 million.
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
• Family: Born March 7, 1975, in Boston, Massachusetts (as Thomas Joseph Thyne IV), to lawyer John Thyne III and Catherine Thyne. Siblings: five (sisters Hazel, Katie, Shelly; brothers John III, Tone—TV producer). Attended Plano Senior High School; USC School of Dramatic Arts (1997).
• Relationships: Engaged to girlfriend Christine (since January 2025, proposed in Bali). Previously engaged to Michaela Conlin (2010–2011). No children. Co-founded Theatre Junkies (2001).
• Post-Film: Appeared in How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), Erin Brockovich (2000). Recent: The Edge of the Garden (2011 Hallmark); Quarry (2016); voice in American Dad! (2024); theater productions.

Tamara Taylor as Dr. Camille “Cam” Saroyan

• Role: Cam, the authoritative forensic pathologist and lab director from season 2, balances bureaucracy with compassion, adopting Michelle and romancing Arastoo Vaziri. Taylor’s “poised leader” added depth; appeared in 233 episodes (seasons 2–12).
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 5’7″ (1.70 m).
• Family: Born September 27, 1970, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to African-Canadian father Vaughn Grouse and Scottish-Canadian mother Deborah Reid (stepfather Eddie Taylor). Second cousin: Neve Campbell (Scream). Attended Walk of Fame Children’s Charity College Institute.
• Relationships: Divorced from attorney Miles Cooley (2007–2012). Single as of 2025; no children (adopted Michelle on-show).
• Post-Film: Recurred in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (2018–2019, Sibyl), Altered Carbon (2018). Recent: Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021–present); October Faction (2020 Netflix); mental health advocacy.

John Francis Daley as Dr. Lance Sweets

• Role: Sweets, the young FBI psychologist mediating the team’s dynamics (and Booth-Brennan tension) from season 3, grows from naive intern to key ally before his tragic exit. Daley’s “earnest profiler” charmed; appeared in 132 episodes (seasons 3–10).
• Net Worth: $7 million.
• Height: 6’0″ (1.83 m).
• Family: Born July 20, 1985, in Wheeling, Illinois, to actor R.F. Daley (Irish Catholic) and piano teacher Nancy Daley (Jewish). No siblings reported. Attended Nyack Middle School; discovered theater early.
• Relationships: Married screenwriter Corinne Kingsbury (since 2016; met via mutual friends). Son: Basil (b. 2017).
• Post-Film: Co-wrote/directed Vacation (2015), Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Recent: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023, director/co-writer); FlashForward (2009–2010); Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000 breakout).

John Boyd as FBI Special Agent James Aubrey

• Role: Aubrey, the earnest, food-loving FBI agent joining in season 10 as Booth’s partner and Sweets’ successor, develops a romance with Jessica Warren. Boyd’s “relatable rookie” refreshed the team; appeared in 70 episodes (seasons 10–12).
• Net Worth: $5 million.
• Height: 5’11” (1.80 m).
• Family: Born October 22, 1981, in New York City, to actors Guy Boyd and Sissy Boyd. Sister: actress Pauline Boyd. Attended Bennington College.
• Relationships: Private; single as of 2025, no public marriages or children reported.
• Post-Film: Starred in Argo (2012), Lady in the Water (2006). Recent: Transplant (2020–present, Canadian series); Peppermint (2018); 24 (2010, Arlo Glass).

Additional Notes

Salaries: Leads like Deschanel/Boreanaz earned $250,000–$280,000 per episode by season 12 (total ~$60M each for series); ensemble ~$100,000–$150,000. The $500M+ budget covered L.A. sets, practical effects (skeletal reconstructions), and forensic accuracy. Residuals from Hulu syndication and novels add $2M+ annually for top cast.

Casting Insights: Hanson sought contrasts for chemistry; Deschanel (28) won Brennan after 200+ auditions for her “awkward intellect,” beating Alexis Bledel. Boreanaz (36) pivoted from Angel for Booth’s “blue-collar grit.” Conlin (26) brought artistic edge; Thyne (30) nailed Hodgins’ quirks via improv. Taylor (34) added authority post-pilot recast. Daley (19) debuted as Sweets after Freaks and Geeks buzz; Boyd (32) filled Aubrey via fresh-faced reads. Boot camps included forensic workshops for realism.

Impact and Legacy: Peaking at 10M viewers, Bones popularized forensic science (Smithsonian visits up 15%), inspired spin-offs like The Finder (2012), and crossed with Sleepy Hollow (2015). Fans on Reddit/X adore “shipper” arcs but critique season 12’s rushed finale; 88% RT underscores procedural charm. Influenced The Blacklist, Prodigal Son; Reichs’ books sold 6M+ copies. Streaming on Hulu/Disney+ revives nostalgia.

Post-Film Careers: Deschanel/Boreanaz anchor TV empires; Conlin/Taylor thrive in sci-fi; Thyne/Daley pivot to directing; Boyd balances indies/series. Reunions at cons (e.g., 2025 Fox event) and Booth & Bones podcast highlight bonds; 20th anniversary (2025) sparks reboot talks.

Cultural Influence: Bridged CSI-era procedurals with character depth, boosting women in STEM (forensic enrollments +20%). “Squints” lingo and Brennan-Booth memes trend on TikTok; diversity (Conlin’s Chinese-Irish, Taylor’s Afro-Scottish) praised, though X notes “whitewashed” early seasons. Educational tie-ins with Smithsonian endure; 2025 wildfire nod in Deschanel home loss adds poignancy.

Conclusion

Bones’ forensic family, ignited by Deschanel’s cerebral Brennan and Boreanaz’s heartfelt Booth, exhumed a procedural powerhouse blending brains, banter, and bonds. Net worths from $4 million (Conlin) to $30 million (Deschanel/Boreanaz) chronicle journeys from Jeffersonian labs to directing debuts.

Personal narratives—from Thyne’s theater roots to Taylor’s advocacy—mirror the show’s resilient ethos. Its syndication surge, forensic fandom, and anniversary echoes affirm it as Fox’s skeletal saga, where every bone tells a story of enduring legacy.