‘How I Met Your Mother’ season 9 spoilers: Cristin Milioti officially series regular

Want to see something that “How I Met Your Mother” has not done in the nine seasons in which it has been on the air? Well, here it is: A change to its official cast list.

While there have been all sorts of guest stars over the years in between Kal Penn, Sarah Chalke, Becki Newton, Jennifer Morrison, Michael Trucco, Ashley Williams, and oh-so many more, the only five people to be series regulars on the show have been Josh Radnor, Neil Patrick Harris, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, and Cobie Smulders. Now, it is official: Cristin Milioti will be joining the fold as the still-unnamed Mother to Ted’s future children. (This was first reported by TVLine.)

So why make this move now? It’s because the producers want to ensure that viewers really get the best opportunity possible to know the “Once” actor and her character before she crosses Ted’s path, which will presumably happen during the finale. We will see more of her life, her meeting some of the other members of the gang as she prepares to play in the band at the big wedding, and hopefully we’ll see some flashbacks given that we know this narrative will be used often. (After all, we have 24 episodes coming up about what is really just two days of story.)

Milioti’s appearance does allow for some opportunities for other guest-stars to turn up, in particular Rachel Bilson given that she and her were roommates many years ago. It also allows for some more creative storytelling, and maybe even some opportunities for members of the current cast to have more time off for other projects (which we’re sure they’d love after nine intense years).

Are you a fan of the promotion, or do you still have some skepticism over the idea of us seeing two days play out at what is such a glacial pace? As always, please do share your thoughts! Otherwise, Marshall may complete the slap-bet on you.

Photo: CBS