How I Met Your Mother Brings Joe Manganiello’s Brad Back After Three Year Absence

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It’s been a quite awhile – three years actually – since Joe Manganiello has been able to make an appearance on How I Met Your Mother. It’s understandable considering how busy he is these days with his starring role on True Blood and learning how to strip for his big part in Magic Mike, but I’m glad he’ll be coming back. His character, Brad, has always been a welcome addition to the show’s recurring characters. He steals every scene he’s in using a combination of good looks and bizarre situations. In fact, I would go so far as to say he’s my favorite. More Brad makes for a better How I Met Your Mother.

According to TVLine, Manganiello will make his return in Season 8, but the reason for his reappearance has not been revealed yet. Co-creator Craig Thomas has said Brad was one of the many recurring characters he and the other writers were looking forward to bringing back into the fold as the show comes to an end. The last time we saw Brad was in the Season 5 premiere, where he went on a date with Robin to a hockey game. It was his only appearance in that season, but I can say with a certainty Brad will be around for more than one episode this time around – two episodes to be exact. I know it’s not much, but it’s better than going another two seasons without a single appearance.

Other than Brad, we know Victoria will be back for Season 8. Any ideas who else might show up, assuming this could be the show’s final season? I wouldn’t mind seeing Cristine Rose return as Ted’s mother, or perhaps John Lithgow. I know she only ever appeared in one episode, but I’ve always wanted to see more of Jayma Mays’ Coat-check Girl. That was a one-shot character that really should’ve amounted to more.