The American Housewife sitcom ran on ABC from 2016 to 2021, focusing on an unapologetic Westport, Connecticut mother navigating family life. Led by Katy Otto, the series relied on an ensemble cast that balanced sharp humor with family dynamics.
Unlike fabricated summaries that misidentify the show's network, timeline, or cast members, this overview covers the actual actors, characters, and behind-the-scenes transitions that shaped the five-season run.
The Otto Family Core
At the center of the series is the Otto household, anchored by a mother who proudly describes herself as the second-fattest housewife in Westport.
Katy Otto (Katy Mixon)
Katy Mixon stars as Katie Otto, a sarcastic, realistic mother of three living in an affluent, image-obsessed Connecticut town. Katie refuses to conform to local standards of organic perfection and PTA politics. Mixon brings a grounded, high-energy comedic timing that anchors every episode. Before this role, Mixon appeared in Mike & Molly and Eastbound & Down, establishing her knack for memorable supporting characters before stepping into a lead role.
Greg Otto (Diedrich Bader)
Diedrich Bader plays Greg Otto, Katie’s supportive husband and a college history professor. Greg is equally eccentric, often encouraging his kids to take unconventional paths and supporting Katie's schemes. Bader brings extensive television and voice acting experience, including roles in The Drew Carey Show and various animated Batman projects. His chemistry with Mixon provides the stable emotional backbone of the series.
The Otto Children
The three Otto children each inherit different traits from their parents, driving much of the show's episodic conflicts.
Taylor Otto (Meg Donnelly / Bali Matu)
Taylor is the eldest daughter, initially obsessed with popularity and her physical appearance before developing a more grounded perspective. Meg Donnelly played Taylor for the first four seasons before scheduling conflicts led to Bali Matu taking over the role for the final season. Donnelly's transition out of the show paved the way for her starring role in Disney's Zombies franchise and the series The Winchesters.
Oliver Otto (Daniel DiMaggio)
Oliver is the ambitious, status-conscious middle child dedicated to ballet and financial success. Daniel DiMaggio portrays Oliver with deadpan intensity, capturing a young kid trying too hard to climb Westport's social ladder while still genuinely loving his family.
Anna-Kat Otto (Julia Butters / Giselle Eisenberg)
Anna-Kat is the youngest daughter, quirky, intelligent, and dealing with specific OCD behaviors that Katie fiercely protects. Julia Butters played Anna-Kat through the first four seasons before leaving to pursue film opportunities, most notably Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Giselle Eisenberg took over the role for the fifth and final season.
Westport Neighbors and Friends
The Westport community introduces sharp comedic foils and loyal confidantes for Katie.
Doris (Ali Wong)
Ali Wong plays Doris, one of Katie's closest friends. Doris is intensely pragmatic, fiercely protective of her children, and delivers deadpan, dead-serious parenting advice. Wong’s stand-up background shines through her sharp, rapid-fire delivery.
Angela (Karly Rothenberg / Cassidy Hubbarth / Etc.)
Angela is another core member of Katie's unfiltered friend group, often joining Katie and Doris to vent about the pressures of suburban motherhood over wine and takeout.
Chloe Brown Mueller (Jessica St. Clair)
Jessica St. Clair recurs as Chloe Brown Mueller, the quintessential over-achieving Westport mother who serves as Katie's primary frenemy. St. Clair brings manic energy to a character obsessed with perfection, charity events, and social dominance.
Production Background and Cancellation
Created by Sarah Dunn, American Housewife premiered on ABC in October 2016 under the original working title The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport. The network later shortened the title as the series found its footing.
The show ran for 103 episodes across five seasons. Production faced significant challenges during its final season due to industry-wide safety protocols implemented in 2020. In May 2021, ABC officially cancelled the series, making the fifth-season finale the definitive end of the Otto family's television journey.
For viewers interested in exploring the broader television landscape of family comedies from that era, ABC Entertainment provides archives of its historical primetime lineups. Comprehensive episode guides and production credits are also maintained by IMDb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the actress who plays Taylor change?
Meg Donnelly played Taylor Otto for the first four seasons. She stepped away from the role ahead of season five due to scheduling conflicts with other projects, leading the production team to recast the character with Bali Matu.
Why did Julia Butters leave American Housewife?
Julia Butters departed her role as Anna-Kat Otto after season four to pursue feature film opportunities, having gained critical acclaim for her performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Giselle Eisenberg stepped in to finish the final season.
Where can I stream American Housewife?
The complete series is available for streaming on subscription platforms like Hulu, which houses the entire five-season library for on-demand viewing.
How many seasons of American Housewife were produced?
The series produced five seasons totaling 103 episodes before concluding its run on ABC in May 2021.
