Ariel Winter waved goodbye to her role as Alex Dunphy in 2020 when hit American sitcom Modern Family reached its conclusion.
The emotional finale saw many of the characters go their separate ways as all the Dunphy children had reached adulthood, leaving many viewers heartbroken.
Reflecting on the show's last episode, Winter exclusively told Digital Spy why she thought the series needed to finish when it did.
Related: Modern Family's Jesse Tyler Ferguson discusses script for spin-off series
The actress suggested the show had to conclude in 2020 or risk not ending in a satisfying way.
"It was very sad to see it end, but I think it ended in a great place," Winter said. "Because, you know, some shows go on way too long and then you're not satisfied with the ending, but you're like, 'We have to keep going' and whatever.
"Then you're like, 'Oh, it didn't end the way we wanted to'. But I really think we ended at a great time.
"We had a wonderful run and I think they tied up everyone's characters really, really nicely."
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The actress also recently opened up about her role on Modern Family and how it developed over its 11-season run.
"We really explored [Alex] and explored her life as much as you can in a family sitcom.
"So I definitely was happy about the way her story ended and the way everyone's story ended," she said.
Related: Modern Family's Ariel Winter discusses teaming up with Scream star for The Quarry
Although Alex and the rest of the Dunphy family's antics are no longer on-screen, fans can see more of Winter in her latest project The Quarry.
The actress stars alongside Scream legend David Arquette and Jurassic World: Dominion star Justice Smith in the new horror video game, which allows the player to choose their own path and shape the story.
"It is a super cinematic beautiful game," Winter raved, praising the visuals of the teen-horror.
The Quarry is available now on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S|X, and PC.
Modern Family aired on ABC in the US and Sky One/NOW TV in the UK.
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Emma is an experienced entertainment news journalist with NCTJ accreditation and a First-Class Honours Degree in Journalism. Having started her career as a broadcast journalist, Emma’s voice has been heard on varying radio stations across the UK including Absolute, Magic, BBC Three Counties Radio, LBC London News and more.
Later specialising in multimedia entertainment news, Emma has brushed shoulders with numerous famous faces and interviewed the likes of Edward Norton, Margot Robbie, Sir Michael Palin, Rick Astley, and too many soap stars to count. Having produced a range of engaging news content over the years for brands such as 7Digital’s Entertainment News, Yahoo, and Express Online, Emma eventually joined Digital Spy in 2022 as Deputy News Editor, becoming Acting News Editor in 2023 and then News Editor in 2024.
While she’s gained lots of praise during celebrity interviews throughout her career, the most memorable compliment Emma’s ever received was when a Game of Thrones star remarked "Your teeth are stunning!". LinkedIn
