David Boreanaz and T.J. Thyne: A Connection Before Bones
In the world of television, few shows have captured the audience’s attention quite like Bones, running for an impressive 246 episodes. T.J. Thyne was a consistent presence in every single one, embodying the character of Jack Hodgins, a forensic entomologist whose journey took some dramatic turns. Interestingly, Thyne initially hesitated to take on such a long-term role, wary of the challenges that come with being a series regular. However, after 12 successful seasons on Fox, it’s clear that he found value in being part of this beloved series.
The complexity of Hodgins’s character offered Thyne ample material to explore, particularly highlighted in the gripping season 11 episode titled “The Doom in the Boom,” where his character faced the life-altering challenge of paralysis from the waist down. This intense storyline pushed Thyne to embrace method acting, embodying the psychological and physical struggles his character encountered. Throughout the series, Hodgins found a major part of his personal narrative in his relationship with Angela Montenegro, ultimately becoming a husband and father by the show’s conclusion. Thyne’s initial reservations about a recurring role faded as he embraced the depth and breadth of his character over 11 seasons.
What many might not realize is that Thyne’s journey with Bones allowed him to reconnect with a familiar face from his past: David Boreanaz. Before becoming the iconic Seeley Booth, Boreanaz was well-known to fans of the 90s television landscape as Angel from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He portrayed the enigmatic vampire for three seasons before he landed his own spin-off series, Angel, which took him on a new adventure from 1999 to 2004.
In the fifth season of Angel, Thyne made his debut alongside Boreanaz, stepping into the shoes of an unnamed lawyer for the notorious law firm Wolfram & Hart. Though his role was brief, Thyne’s appearance marked the start of a significant collaboration that would flourish when the two crossed paths again in Bones.
Since Bones concluded in 2017, Thyne has embraced various guest roles on different television projects, including a notable performance as the real-life cinematographer Gordon Willis in The Offer. Despite his busy schedule, he has yet to share the screen with Boreanaz again, although there’s always hope. Both Boreanaz and his Bones co-star Emily Deschanel have hinted at the prospect of a potential 13th season, leaving fans eager for a reunion of these two talented actors.
