For many fans of The Nanny, the relationship between Maxwell Sheffield and Fran Fine was one of the most captivating aspects of the show. However, for Charles Shaughnessy’s children, it wasn’t always easy to watch. The actor recently shared how his kids reacted to his on-screen romance with Fran Drescher, revealing that it caused some confusion and distress at home.
Shaughnessy recalled how his young daughters would watch The Nanny and react with shock whenever he had to kiss Drescher as part of the script. He humorously described the situation as one of those ‘dad job hazards’ that comes with being an actor. To his kids, seeing their father express romantic affection toward someone who wasn’t their mother felt strange and unsettling.
As they grew older, they began to understand the nature of acting and that their father’s on-screen romance was just part of his work. Shaughnessy also took the opportunity to explain to them that acting is about storytelling, and sometimes, it requires playing roles that involve emotions that aren’t real.
Despite the initial reactions from his kids, the actor looks back on his time on The Nanny with fondness, acknowledging that the chemistry between him and Drescher was a key reason why audiences remained so invested in the show. Even years later, fans still celebrate Maxwell and Fran’s love story—something that, thankfully, Shaughnessy’s children can now laugh about.
