MJ Coyle's Journey Beyond Good Bones: The Inside Story

When the final episode of season 8 aired on October 17, 2023, fans of Good Bones felt a twinge of sadness. For years, viewers tuned in to watch the dynamic cast, including the incredibly talented designer MJ Coyle, bring life to drab spaces. But little did they know, MJ’s story wasn’t ending there. In fact, it was just beginning.

How MJ Coyle Became Part of the Good Bones Family

MJ Coyle first joined the Good Bones team during a pivotal time in the show’s history. It was the tail end of season 3 and the start of season 4. Stepping into the world of Mina Starsiak Hawk and Karen E. Laine wasn’t easy. MJ recalls his chaotic first day on set with vivid detail, sharing the experience in an episode of Mina’s podcast on October 24, 2023.

“Mina’s style is nothing if not unpredictable,” MJ laughed during the podcast. “On my first day, Karen arrived first, which wasn’t unusual since she was still part of the company. I was already getting an earful from her when Mina walked in with a paper towel full of hard-boiled eggs. I remember thinking, ‘This woman is completely unhinged. Who brings hard-boiled eggs to a job site? And now she’s going to peel and eat them right in front of me on my first day.’”

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Despite the unconventional start, MJ quickly proved himself as an invaluable asset to the team. His innovative approach to interior design brought a fresh perspective to the show. However, behind the scenes, MJ revealed the challenges the team faced during the final season.

“It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows,” MJ admitted. “By the time we reached the final season, our small team was stretched thin. We had endured so much together—COVID, multiple seasons, you name it. Everyone was burnt out, sore, and frankly, miserable. It was tough, but we powered through.”

What’s MJ Coyle Up to Now?

After the conclusion of Good Bones season 8, MJ decided it was time for a change. He stepped away from his role at Two Chicks and a Hammer to focus on his own business, MJ Coyle Home. As an interior designer, MJ is thriving, bringing his unique vision to clients across the country.

Beyond his professional endeavors, MJ cherishes the time he spends with his husband, Andrew Merkley. While he maintains a close friendship with Mina, MJ has not stayed in touch with the rest of the Good Bones cast since the show ended.

“I haven’t spoken to Cory [Miller] in quite some time,” MJ revealed during the podcast. “I haven’t talked to Tad [Starziak] either. I did have a brief conversation with Mina’s mom when everything wrapped up, but honestly, I think everyone just needed space. Time to heal and reflect.”

In December 2023, MJ posted a heartwarming photo on Instagram, sitting by Mina’s new lake house. The caption read, “Just two old friends sitting by a lake talking about faucets and river rocks!” Fans were quick to speculate about what this might mean for the future.

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MJ Coyle’s Return to HGTV

Good news came in July 2024 when it was announced that Good Bones would return for a new season. This time around, the show would focus on renovations at Mina’s lake house and Karen’s new Wilmington, North Carolina, home. In the August 2024 premiere episode, MJ rejoined the series alongside Austin Aynes to assist Mina with the lake house project.

“It feels like coming home,” MJ joked in a joint interview with Austin. “I think we worked harder today than we ever did as full-time employees!”