Summary

  • Brennan and Deschanel are both vegetarian, mirroring their character's dietary preferences on the show.
  • Angela's husband Hodgins appeared in another David Boreanaz show, Angel, showcasing the actor's versatility.
  • Booth's gambling past is a significant part of his character, represented by the items he carries with him, reflecting his addiction and Catholic faith.

The crime procedural Bones earned its fame through the complex and well-liked characters of the Bones cast, but there are several things about the main characters that audiences may have missed — or never known about in the first place. Bones was a unique entry into the crime procedural subgenre. Aside from its relatable characters, Bones centered more on the forensics aspect of its crime stories but also included glimpses into the worlds of law and medicine. All of these tales were told with forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz) at the center.

Often considered one of the best crime procedurals on TV during its 12-season run, Bones did some heavy exploration of its main characters' lives, drawing audiences deeper into the series and effectively tethering its viewers emotionally to the fate of its characters. Avid Bones viewers have a deep knowledge of the likable Bones cast, like Brennan's secret musical abilities displayed in "The Rocker in the Rinse Cycle" or the fact that Booth is afraid of clowns. However, there are more little-known facts about characters like Angela (Michaela Conlin) or her husband Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) that have slipped through the cracks.

Brennan And Deschanel Are Both Vegetarian

Brennan angrily looking at someone on Bones

In season 1, Bones cast character Brennan proclaims that she's a vegetarian after discovering that her mother had been murdered using a pig slaughtering tool in "The Woman in Limbo." She remains vegetarian up until the very end of Bones, citing health reasons later on, but what audiences don't realize is that the actress who plays her, Emily Deschanel, also follows a plant-based diet (via Viva!). Deschanel is reportedly vegan, a decision she made in high school after watching the Ed Schuman documentary Diet for a New America, which is based on the science discussed in John Robbins' book of the same name.

Hodgins Appears In Another David Boreanaz Show

Booth, Brennan, Hodgins, and Angela smiling at each other on Bones

Angela, played expertly by Michaela Conlin, went on to marry Jack Hodgins in Bones. However, what most don't know is that the actor who portrays Hodgins, T.J. Thyne, has appeared in another David Boreanaz series — Angel. Turns out, Thyne played a character on David Boreanaz's show Angel, which ran from 1999 to 2004. Towards the end of the series, Thyne played an unnamed lawyer for several episodes. Though the lawyer that Thynes plays in Angel is quite a different character from the scientist who works at the Jeffersonian Institute, it's an interesting tidbit that Thynes has now had roles on two David Boreanaz shows.

Booth's Gambler Past Is A Bigger Part Of His Character

Booth reaching out his hand on Bones

It's well known that the Bones cast character Seeley Booth is an ex-gambler. He suffered a brief relapse in Bones season 10, but the production crew has subtly made his gambling addiction a facet of his character every time David Boreanaz is on the screen. Reportedly, every time that audiences see Booth, he's carrying a pair of craps dice, a brass Zippo lighter, and a St. Christopher medal in his pants pocket (via EW). Being Catholic is a big part of Booth's character, but the other articles are a way of coping with his addictions, the same way that ex-smokers carry toothpicks to fight off cravings.

Related: Bones: 20 Things About Booth And Brennan’s Relationship That Make No Sense

Brennan Speaks Seven Languages On Bones

Brennan examining human remains on Bones

It's quite possible that Dr. Temperance Brennan is the most intelligent member of the Bones cast, and she proves this by admitting that she can speak eight languages. Brennan is shown speaking seven languages over the course of the series. Outside of English, Brennan speaks Spanish in season 1, episode 13, "The Woman in the Garden," and French in the pilot episode. She spoke Norwegian in season 4, episode 21, "Mayhem on a Cross," Mandarin in season 2, episode 16, "The Boneless Bride in the River," Krio in season 8, episode 18, "The Survivor in the Soap," and Farsi in season 10, episode 19, "The Murder in the Middle East."

Angela's Real Name Isn't Revealed Until Season 10

Angela played by Michaela Conlin smiling in Bones

A small part of the Michaela Conlin character Angela on one of the best dramedy TV shows is that she's embarrassed by her name — so embarrassed that it takes ten seasons to get it out of her. Angela's full real name is elusive until Bones season 10, though viewers were given the answers to pieces of her name over previous seasons. She's embarrassed by her name, and when audiences find out what it is, her reasoning becomes much more understandable. Her full name is revealed to be "Pookie Noodlin Pearly-Gates Gibbons." While in a strange way this bizarre moniker kind of suits Angela, audiences can understand why she opted for "Angela Montenegro" instead of her given name.

Angela's Father Might Be Famous

Billy Gibbons and Angela talking to each other on Bones

The Michaela Conlin character Angela introduces her father in season 1, episode 9, "The Man in the Fallout Shelter," — and viewers might notice that he looks familiar. That's because Angela's father is played by Billy Gibbons of famous rock 'n' roll band ZZ Top in one of Bones' best celebrity cameos. What's even better is that it's implied in the show that he really is Billy Gibbons (a fictionalized version of course). Her middle name "Pearly-Gates" is even a reference to Gibbons' guitar, which he has named "Miss Pearly Gates." Other indications are made throughout Bones that point to Billy Gibbons being Angela's father, such as the fact that growing up she was backstage at his concerts.

Bones Honors Characters Through The Next Generation

Sweets and Daisy looking at one another on Bones

All of the kids born to the Bones cast have relevant names. Meaning, they're each named after someone important to their parents, either family or close friends. Booth and Brennan's daughter is named Christine Angela, after Brennan's mother and her best friend. Angela and Jack's son is named Michael Vincent after an intern who was sadly murdered. Sweets and Daisy's son is named after Booth and Sweets himself since Sweets was tragically killed in Bones season 10 before his son was born. It's obvious how much friends and family mean to the Bones characters, and viewers were quite happy that this sweet naming tradition was incorporated into the series.

David Boreanaz & Emily Deschanel's Diet Coke Joke

Booth and Brennan joining hands on Bones

According to an interview with Emily Deschanel of the Bones cast (via THR), she and David Boreanaz shared an ongoing joke on set involving Diet Coke. The two had a great working relationship and friendship. So much so that they had an agreement that they could enlighten the other about when they were being too annoying or simply needed a break. It became a recurring joke, that if one was acting badly, they'd receive a Diet Coke. Deschanel, who doesn't even drink soda, would realize who the Diet Coke was from right away (according to her, she didn't do this as much to Boreanaz as he did to her).

Three Deschanels Have Appeared On Bones

Split image of Emily Deschanel next to Zooey Deschanel

While Emily Deschanel is a lead in the Bones cast, her sister Zooey Deschanel (New Girl) and her father Caleb Deschanel (Twin Peaks) have also appeared in the series. Zooey Deschanel made a guest appearance in season 5, episode 10, "The Goop on the Girl." The characters made obvious comments about the similarity in looks between the two; however, instead of playing her sister, she played a distant cousin named Margaret. Deschanel's father, Caleb, didn't appear on the screen. However, as a storied director, he did direct season 2, episode 20, "The Glowing Bones in the Old Stone House."

Related: 20 Secrets No One Knew About Emily And Zooey Deschanel

Brennan's Novel Is About Bones' Creator

Kathy Reichs the creator of Bones smiling

Dr. Temperance Brennan of the Bones cast moonlights as an author, writing a book series about a fictional forensic anthropologist named Kathy Reichs. This is a clever nod to the real Kathy Reichs, an actual forensic anthropologist who is responsible for penning the best-selling Temperance Brennan series, on which Bones is loosely based. It was a great way to pay homage to the creator of Brennan's character, as Reichs drew much from her own life and career to create the mystery novel series. There are 21 Temperance Brennan books to choose from, many of them inspiring several Bones plot threads and without which the series wouldn't exist today.