20 TV Shows That Tried to Hide Pregnant Actresses (And Failed)

Television production schedules rarely stop for real-life events and that includes unexpected pregnancies among the cast. Showrunners are often faced with the difficult decision to either write the pregnancy into the storyline or attempt to conceal it through visual trickery. Costume designers and prop masters work overtime to hide baby bumps behind strategically placed objects and loose clothing. While some shows manage to pull off the illusion seamlessly, others result in hilarious and obvious cover-ups that distract viewers. The following series attempted to mask the pregnancies of their leading ladies with varying degrees of success.

‘Scandal’ (2012–2018)

Kerry Washington became pregnant during the third season of this hit political drama. The production team utilized a variety of large props to conceal her growing baby bump from the cameras. Viewers often spotted her standing behind lamps or holding oversized purses in front of her midsection. The creative team also relied on chest-up camera angles to avoid filming her stomach area entirely. These obvious obstruction techniques became a humorous point of discussion among the dedicated fan base.

‘Sex and the City’ (1998–2004)

Sarah Jessica Parker discovered she was pregnant during the fifth season of this iconic HBO series. The costume designers dressed her character Carrie Bradshaw in loose-fitting empire waist dresses to mask her figure. Producers ultimately decided to cut the season short to accommodate her pregnancy rather than continue filming with limited angles. The wardrobe department used bright accessories and voluminous fabrics to distract the eye from her changing silhouette. This resulted in a unique fashion shift for the character that stood out from previous seasons.

‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2005–2014)

Alyson Hannigan became pregnant while playing Lily Aldrin during the fourth season of the sitcom. The writers mostly hid her bump behind large props like basketballs and globes throughout various scenes. They briefly acknowledged her physical change by having her character win a hot dog eating contest to explain the distended stomach. She eventually disappeared from the show for a few episodes after her character took offense to a joke. This allowed the actress to go on maternity leave without disrupting the main storyline significantly.

‘Seinfeld’ (1989–1998)

Julia Louis-Dreyfus was pregnant twice during her tenure as Elaine Benes on this classic sitcom. The showrunners decided against writing a pregnancy into the script for her character. She spent many scenes hiding behind the iconic couch or carrying large boxes around the apartment set. In one season she went on a trip to Europe to explain her absence while the actress gave birth. The use of oversized coats and layers became a staple of her wardrobe during these specific periods.

‘Friends’ (1994–2004)

Courteney Cox became pregnant during the final season of the show when her character Monica could not conceive. The writers could not write the pregnancy in because the adoption storyline was already established as a major plot point. She wore baggy shirts and scarves to cover her stomach while the cameras framed her primarily in close-ups. Viewers clearly noticed her changing shape despite the efforts to conceal it with costuming. The emotional adoption finale featured the actress hiding her own pregnancy while welcoming twins on screen.

‘Modern Family’ (2009–2020)

Julie Bowen was heavily pregnant with twins during the filming of the pilot episode for this mockumentary. The script called for her character Claire Dunphy to be a busy mother so she carried laundry baskets constantly. She also stood behind cereal boxes and kitchen islands to block the camera’s view of her midsection. The chaotic nature of the show allowed her to hold various household items without seeming entirely out of place. This visual strategy allowed the pilot to proceed without delaying production or recasting the role.

‘The Nanny’ (1993–1999)

Lauren Lane became pregnant while playing C.C. Babcock during the fifth season of the show. The writers leaned into the situation by having her character hide behind increasingly absurd props. She held signs and plants and even a large poster that explicitly read Baby to mock the situation. The show broke the fourth wall regarding the concealment methods rather than trying to hide it earnestly. This meta-humor fit perfectly with the comedic tone of the series.

‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ (2013–2021)

Melissa Fumero was pregnant during the third season while playing Detective Amy Santiago. The writers had her character go undercover in a women’s prison to justify wearing a loose grey uniform. She was often seated at her desk or standing behind stacks of case files during precinct scenes. The showrunners eventually had her character fake a pregnancy for a sting operation to utilize her real condition. This clever narrative pivot allowed them to stop hiding the bump for a brief period.

‘New Girl’ (2011–2018)

Zooey Deschanel became pregnant during the fifth season of this ensemble comedy series. The production team initially hid her behind blankets and tables while her character was on bed rest. They eventually wrote her out of several episodes by sending her character to jury duty. This absence allowed Megan Fox to step in as a temporary roommate while Deschanel was on maternity leave. The show used creative plotting to handle the lead actress being unavailable for filming.

‘Homeland’ (2011–2020)

Claire Danes was pregnant while filming the second season of this intense spy thriller. The serious tone of the show meant that using silly props to hide her condition was not an option. The directors relied heavily on CGI to digitally remove her baby bump from certain frames. She was also filmed from high angles and wore structured trench coats to disguise her silhouette. The post-production team worked extensively to ensure her pregnancy did not break the immersion of the story.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–Present)

Ellen Pompeo became pregnant during the sixth season of the long-running medical drama. The writers created a storyline where her character Meredith Grey donated part of her liver to her father. This plot device required her to stay in a hospital bed covered by thick blankets for several episodes. The bed rest scenario allowed the production to film her scenes without revealing her pregnancy. It provided a dramatic reason for her reduced physical activity and eventual temporary departure.

‘Gossip Girl’ (2007–2012)

Kelly Rutherford was pregnant with her second child while playing Lily van der Woodsen. The fashion-forward nature of the show allowed costume designers to use expensive accessories as shields. She was frequently seen holding Hermes bags and wearing oversized designer coats to cover her bump. The directors also framed her sitting down on low sofas or standing behind counters in her apartment. The high-society setting made the constant use of large luxury items seem somewhat natural.

‘The King of Queens’ (1998–2007)

Leah Remini became pregnant during the sixth season of the sitcom while playing Carrie Heffernan. The writers explained her weight gain and baggy clothes by giving her character a storyline about unemployment. She spent much of the season lying on the couch in sweatpants while dealing with depression. This narrative choice allowed the actress to be comfortable while the show avoided a pregnancy plot. The character eventually lost the weight off-screen once the actress returned from maternity leave.

‘Will & Grace’ (1998–2020)

Debra Messing was pregnant during the sixth season of the show but her character was not. The costume department dressed her in loose layers and black clothing to minimize the visibility of her bump. She was often filmed holding towels or pillows and sitting behind furniture to block the view. The actress had to miss the final episodes of the season due to medical orders for bed rest. Her absence was noticeable in the season finale as the remaining cast carried the storylines.

‘The X-Files’ (1993–2018)

Gillian Anderson became pregnant during the second season of the science fiction series. The showrunners used oversized trench coats and creative camera work to hide her changing shape. They eventually wrote an alien abduction storyline to explain her disappearance from the show during the birth. This plot point became a crucial part of the show’s mythology and long-term narrative arc. The pregnancy inadvertently helped shape the direction of the series for years to come.

‘Desperate Housewives’ (2004–2012)

Marcia Cross was pregnant with twins during the third season of the primetime soap opera. The directors used extreme close-ups and blocked her body with large gingerbread houses and countertops. She was eventually put on bed rest in real life so the production crew moved filming to her actual bedroom. They transformed her room into her character’s set to finish her necessary scenes before she gave birth. This dedication allowed her to remain in the show despite strict medical limitations.

‘Once Upon a Time’ (2011–2018)

Ginnifer Goodwin became pregnant while playing Snow White in this fantasy series. The costume designers used voluminous capes and flared skirts to conceal her pregnancy from the audience. She was often positioned behind trees or other fairytale props during the location shoots in the forest. The writers later incorporated a second pregnancy into the show for her character during a subsequent season. Her initial pregnancy required significant wardrobe adjustments to maintain the continuity of the storyline.

‘The Office’ (2005–2013)

Angela Kinsey was pregnant during the fourth season of the mockumentary sitcom. Her character Angela Martin was known for wearing conservative and fitted clothing which made hiding the bump difficult. She was constantly placed behind copy machines and filing cabinets or seated at her desk. The directors used the cubicle walls to their advantage to block her midsection in most shots. Viewers could still spot the pregnancy during scenes where she had to stand in the conference room.

’30 Rock’ (2006–2013)

Jane Krakowski was pregnant while playing Jenna Maroney on the satirical comedy series. The character wore a dog costume in one episode which conveniently covered her entire body. She was also filmed wearing bulky coats and standing behind set pieces to obscure her figure. The writers considered writing the pregnancy in but ultimately decided it did not fit the character’s vanity. They relied on standard concealment tropes to get through the season without altering the plot.

‘Superstore’ (2015–2021)

America Ferrera was pregnant during the filming of the third season of this workplace comedy. The setting of a big-box store provided endless opportunities for her to hide behind merchandise. She was frequently filmed standing behind shopping carts and stacking boxes on high shelves. The directors blocked her movement so she remained behind the customer service counter for long periods. These practical concealment methods allowed the show to continue without addressing the pregnancy on screen.

Let us know which of these TV pregnancy cover-ups you found the most amusing or obvious in the comments.