Temperance "Bones" Brennan

For the character in Kathy Reichs' novels, see Temperance Brennan.
Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan, PhD.
Bones character
Photograph of Brennan, as portrayed by Emily Deschanel
First appearanceSeptember 13, 2005
(1x01, "Pilot")
Last appearanceMarch 28, 2017
(12x12, "The End in the End")
Created byHart Hanson
Portrayed byEmily Deschanel
In-universe information
Alias
  • Wanda Moosejaw
  • Roxy Scallion
  • Natasha (of Boris and Natasha)
Nickname
  • Bones (by Seeley & Parker Booth)
  • Tempe (by Max Keenan, Russ Brennan and Jared Booth)
  • Sweetie (by Angela Montenegro)
  • Bren/Dr. B (by some co-workers)
  • Joy (name by birth)
GenderFemale
TitleDoctor (triple Ph.D.)
OccupationAnthropologist, forensic anthropologist, kinesiologist, author
Family
SpouseSeeley Booth (husband; 2013–present)
Children
Relatives
  • Hank Booth (grandfather-in-law)
  • Edwin Booth (father-in-law; deceased)
  • Marianne Booth (mother-in-law)
  • Jared Booth (brother-in-law; deceased)
  • Amy Hollister (sister-in-law
  • Hayley Hollister (niece)
  • Emma Hollister (niece)
  • Margaret Whitesell (second cousin)
HomeWashington, D.C.

Dr. Temperance "Bones" Brennan, Ph.D. (born Joy Keenan) is a fictional character portrayed by Emily Deschanel in the American Fox television series Bones. An anthropologist, forensic anthropologist, and kinesiologist, she is described in the series as a leading authority in the field of forensic anthropology. Brennan first appeared on television, along with other series characters, in the "Pilot" episode of Bones on September 13, 2005. She is the titular female protagonist of the series.

Brennan is loosely based on author Kathy Reichs. Her name originates from the heroine in Reichs's crime novel series, also named Temperance Brennan.[1] The main similarity the two share is their occupation as forensic anthropologists. Brennan appeared in Comcast's list of TV's Most Intriguing Characters.[2] She was included in AfterEllen.com's Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters.[3] Her relationship with Seeley Booth was listed in Entertainment Weekly's "30 Best 'Will They/Won't They?' TV Couples".[4]

  1. ^ Goldman, Eric, "Digging Up Secrets With the Cast of Bones", IGN, May 31, 2007. Retrieved on June 4, 2007.
  2. ^ "TV's Most Intriguing Characters". Comcast. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  3. ^ "AfterEllen.com's Top 50 Favorite Female TV Characters". AfterEllen.com. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  4. ^ Bierly, Mandi; Fog, Henning (May 13, 2012). "30 Best 'Will They/Won't They?' TV Couples". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved July 7, 2012.