Jon Cryer Hopes “Extended Family” Sends an 'Inspiring Message' That Divorcees Can Also Be Friends (Exclusive)

The Emmy-winning actor tells PEOPLE why his new NBC sitcom resonates with him on a personal level

Jon Cryer’s new show, Extended Family, may be a lighthearted sitcom, but the actor says it has a deeper message for audiences who care to take a second look.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Cryer shares what drew him to the NBC series, which premieres Dec. 23 and revolves around a couple who have an extremely amicable divorce and child custody arrangement despite another man entering the picture. The show also stars Abigail Spencer as Cryer’s onscreen wife Julia and Donald Faison as her new partner Trey.

“It's based loosely on Wyc Grousbeck, his wife Emilia [Fazzalari] and her ex-husband George [Geyer], who really have this relationship where George and Emilia have managed to find the friendship again from their marriage,” Cryer says of series executive producer Grousbeck, adding, “I'd love for that to be more of a possibility in most divorces, and I thought that in a way, that that was an inspiring message.”

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Cryer, 58, also finds personal meaning in his character Jim, an imperfect guy who’s trying to make the best out of an imperfect situation. He has an extended family of his own, sharing a son Charlie, 23, with ex-wife Sarah Trigger, and a daughter Daisy, 13, with Lisa Joyner, whom he married in 2007.

“He's a dad who lets the sloppier parts of his life come out, and he's more of himself around his kids than a lot of parents,” he explains.

“As parents, you try to set an example, but I loved that Jim was much more that for good or ill,” he adds. “He was much more willing to show his faults and his flaws around his kids.”

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Extended Family premieres Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

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