Why MJ Coyle Wasn't Surprised By The End Of 'Good Bones'

It wasn’t easy for Mina Starsiak Hawk and her fans to bid farewell to "Good Bones" after eight seasons. While stepping away from the show felt bittersweet for many, MJ Coyle, one of the cast members, wasn’t caught off guard by the decision to wrap up the HGTV series. On the latest episode of her "Mina AF" podcast, aired on October 24, Mina posed the question to MJ: was he upset or "mad" that she opted not to continue with the show?

MJ's Reaction: Understanding the Decision

"Absolutely not," MJ replied without hesitation. "Every fiber of my being saw it coming, recognized it, and fully supported your decision." He went on to explain that the atmosphere on set had become tense over time, with the cast facing numerous challenges such as exhaustion and tight deadlines. "By the time we reached the later seasons, our small team wasn’t even enjoying each other’s company anymore," MJ shared candidly. "We endured so much—COVID, countless seasons—and everyone was just burnt out. We were physically sore, emotionally drained, and frankly, miserable."

Physical Toll of the Show

Mina echoed MJ’s sentiments, recalling how at one point, almost everyone on the team was wearing wrist braces due to the strain of their intense home renovation projects. "You can surround yourself with dogs, babies, and all sorts of joyful things, but when those things no longer bring a smile to your face, it’s a clear sign it’s time to move on," she added thoughtfully.

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MJ's Distance from the Cast

MJ also revealed that he hasn’t maintained contact with his fellow "Good Bones" cast members since filming concluded on the eighth season. "I haven’t spoken to Cory Miller in a long while," he admitted. "Nor have I spoken to Tad Starsiak. I briefly touched base with Karen Laine when everything wrapped up, but beyond that, no, I think everyone just needed some space, time to heal, and a chance to move forward."

On October 17, "Good Bones" aired its series finale, where Mina and her mother, Karen E. Laine, took charge of renovating Tad’s new Indiana home. The episode concluded with a heartwarming moment as the family and cast gathered to witness Tad proposing to Anna Spiars in their newly remodeled kitchen. Despite the seemingly serene scene, behind-the-scenes drama had been brewing within the family.

Behind the Scenes Drama

On August 28, Mina opened up about the challenging dynamics she faced with Karen and Tad. In pursuit of the next chapter in her life and career with her husband, Steve Hawk, Mina decided to distance herself from several family members. Currently, she and Steve are busy renovating a lake house, which will be showcased in an upcoming HGTV spinoff series set to premiere sometime next year. MJ will also play a role in the two-episode special.

"I’m filming the lake house, and MJ occasionally stops by to help with demolition," Mina shared, adding that she enjoys experimenting with different ideas to see what sticks. "If any new show takes off, MJ would definitely be one of the first people I’d reach out to and ask, ‘Hey, do you want to be a part of this?’" she concluded.