How Dennis Returns in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 13

Glenn Howerton will be back for It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 13 but not in the way he's been for the past 12 seasons. There's been an unusually long break between seasons for Always Sunny. The last episode of season 12 aired in March 2017. It's been over a year since a new episode, but that hiatus is almost over. Season 13 has a premiere date.

The wait between between seasons 12 and 13 of Always Sunny was especially excruciating for one reason. There's been no solid word if original series regular and co-creator, Glenn Howerton, will be back as Dennis Reynolds. Finally, thanks to season 13's official description, an answer has been given. Sadly, it's one that will still come as a blow to Dennis fans.

In the official season 13 description, obtained by The Wrap, Glenn Howerton is still listed as one of the series' central cast members. Yet the description also makes it clear that the big season 12 cliffhanger where Dennis decided to move out of Philadelphia to North Dakota to be a father to his newborn son is sticking. The description reads:

The Gang Returns… mostly…. in the 13th season of the FXX original comedy series “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia.” Mac (Rob McElhenney), Charlie (Charlie Day), Dee (Kaitlin Olson) and Frank (Danny DeVito) return to their duplicitous, scheming ways at Paddy’s Pub, while Dennis (Glenn Howerton) takes on the new role of father in North Dakota. Last season, the Gang experienced new highs – Mac acknowledged his sexuality and Charlie convinced The Waitress, his longtime target of affection, to move in with him – and the lowest of lows – Frank became the official beverage sponsor of a terrorist group, Dee helped a man reach rock bottom, and Dennis was investigated for murder. Even without Dennis Reynolds, the Gang has its hands full as Charlie hopes to have a child with The Waitress, Mac sets out to understand his newfound sexuality, Dee takes feminism to new heights, and Frank goes to great lengths for the Gang to experience the greatest moment in Philadelphia sports history – an Eagles Super Bowl victory.

Glenn and his fake daughter at the water park in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

There's a lot to unpack in that season description but while it does appear Howerton and Dennis will be involved in some way, it won't be in the capacity that fans are used to seeing from the gang's resident sociopath. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia won't just say good-bye to Dennis forever. However, at least initially, it seems like Dennis is committed to living in North Dakota and he'll be separated from his destructive friends and family when season 13 starts.

Yet since Howerton is still listed in the cast, there will definitely be at least a couple appearances from Dennis throughout the season. Likely this is probably going to start out with Dennis appearing in his own North Dakota adventures. This would make sense as it would allow Dennis to still be apart of the show but allow Always Sunny to work around Howerton's schedule with his new NBC sitcom, A.P. Bio which has been renewed for season 2.

The core characters of Always Sunny are meant to be scummy people in a state of arrested development. None of them are going to grow up, at least not successfully. There's a surprising commitment to continuity on Always Sunny. Given his history, it wouldn't make any sense for Dennis to just enter into a life of domestic bliss in North Dakota. Dennis Reynolds isn't built for fatherhood. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 13 might begin with the gang split apart and Dennis living halfway across the country, but it'll be nothing short of shocking if he stays there. Dennis should be back in Paddy's Pub and denying he has any children by the time of the season 13 finale.

The only hope is that nothing too horrific happens to Dennis' baby boy to spurn him back to Philadelphia. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia has never been averse to going through with very shocking and horrific moves and, somehow, making light of them.