The ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’ Cast Leaves the Window Cracked for ‘The Nightman Cometh Part 2’

The cast of the greatest musical in Philadelphia community theater history is open to a revival. They just have to figure out the right answer to the timeless question: “Who’s the mark?”

Back on November 20, 2008, FX and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia released an episode of television that was so powerful and inspiring that it pulled the entire United States of America out of its deep slump due to the ongoing financial crisis and taught us to believe in the power of collaboration and the audacity of hope. Unfortunately, idiot savage historians will probably attribute the national mood improvement in late 2008 to the election of President Barack Obama, but Always Sunny fans know that it was “The Nightman Cometh” — and its subsequent stage production tour — that really turned things around for this country.

Today, as domestic strife, international conflict and economic anxiety once again plague our great nation, the people are pleading with Rob Mac, Kaitlin Olson, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton and Danny DeVito to shoot a second installment of “The Nightman Cometh” that will once again raise our spirits. And during a recent red carpet event celebrating the premiere of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17, the core cast teased that we could very well get a sequel in the near future — provided we pay the troll toll.

Everyone in the Always Sunny cast — well, everyone except series creator Mac — told Entertainment Weekly that they’ve thought about doing a “Nightman Cometh” sequel in the past, and Howerton went into slightly more detail when speaking with ScreenRant at the same premiere event. 

“We’ve talked about it many times. It just hasn’t happened yet,” Howerton said of “The Nightman Cometh 2,” contradicting Mac’s red carpet claim that the Gang hasn’t discussed a revival of their smash-hit musical. “I think we’ve all floated out ideas over the years as to what it would be, but nothing has quite stuck yet. I would like to do it. I think we would all like to do some sort of a follow-up to ‘The Nightman Cometh’ at some point; it just hasn’t happened yet. But the desire is there.”

And, while it may seem discouraging that Mac was the only one not to respond receptively when asked about “The Nightman Cometh 2,” keep in mind that he, Howerton and Day have long followed the “Two Against One” rule when settling creative differences. As such, if the majority wants to return to the stage, then Charlie will get to writing a second song book whether Mac likes it or not.

Of course, The Gang will need a new angle now that Charlie isn’t quite as enamored with The Waitress as he was before their brief time playing house in Seasons 12 and 13. Perhaps it could be time for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia to plan another crossover to follow up their success with Abbott Elementary — Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is on the record singing the praises of “The Nightman Cometh,” so if The Gang gave him a shot to write a sequel, you know he wouldn’t throw it away.