The Real Reason Mary-Kate Olsen Almost Returned As Michelle Tanner

According to Screen Rant, although the Olsen twins were absent from the first season of "Fuller House," there was speculation that their most famous character, Michelle Tanner, might appear on the show's second season. Executive producer Bob Boyett revealed that Mary-Kate was more open to coming back than Ashley, who declined due to her discomfort in front of the camera. In fact, Mary-Kate almost agreed to reprise her role just to ensure that Michelle would be a part of the reboot, but her busy schedule prevented the timing from lining up. The Olsens' former co-star and fellow executive producer Candace Cameron Bure claimed they continued asking right up until season three, but maybe Mary-Kate simply never had a free moment to do it. 

Funnily enough, the reasoning behind Michelle's absence on the show mirrored the Olsens' real-life situation — she was based in New York City and couldn't make the trip to see her family. As People notes, simple geography might have scuppered Mary-Kate's plans too, since the Olsens are also based in NYC, far away from the rest of the cast in Los Angeles. "Fuller House" star Dave Coulier explained, "I think they have a different perspective. When we get together and we reminisce, they were babies [at the time]. So they don't share those same memories." He added, "I can't really speak for them but I would understand why they don't have the same sentiments that we all do."