The McPoyles, a peculiar and memorable group of characters from the hit TV show “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” were actually based on a real person. Rob McElhenney, one of the creators and main actors on the show, named them after a friend of his. However, he never expected them to become as bizarre and enduring as they did.
The inspiration for the McPoyles came from a friend of McElhenney's, whose last name was McPoyle. Initially, McElhenney probably thought it would be a fun and quirky nod to his friend to use the name for a couple of characters on the show. Little did he know that the McPoyles would become one of the show's most beloved and eccentric recurring groups.
What makes the McPoyles so unique is their strange and off-putting behavior. They are portrayed as an inbred family with a penchant for milk, an aversion to bathing, and an overall unsettling demeanor. From their wild hair and unkempt appearance to their disturbingly close relationships, the McPoyles quickly became fan favorites for their ability to simultaneously repulse and entertain.
While it's unclear exactly how much of the McPoyle friend's personality and traits were incorporated into the McPoyles on the show, it's safe to say that the characters took on a life of their own. The actors who portrayed the McPoyles, particularly Liam McPoyle (portrayed by Jimmi Simpson) and Ryan McPoyle (portrayed by Nate Mooney), brought an extra level of eccentricity and hilarity to the roles.
Interestingly, the McPoyles were not initially intended to have such a significant presence on the show. They were introduced in the second season in an episode titled “Hundred Dollar Baby,” where they were simply meant to be one-off characters. However, their odd and memorable portrayal led to them becoming recurring characters throughout the series.
It's worth mentioning another character named Nikki Potnik, who is also based on a real person. Nikki Potnik is a character from the show who attended high school with the main gang. She is named after a friend of McElhenney's, adding another personal touch to the show's characters.
The McPoyles from “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” were named after a friend of Rob McElhenney's. Although initially meant to be minor characters, their weird and captivating personalities, as well as the talented performances of the actors, propelled them to become a beloved and enduring part of the show. The incorporation of real-life friends' names, such as Nikki Potnik, adds an extra layer of personal connection to the characters in the show.