Nearly 15 years after its divisive conclusion, Scrubs is headed back to the small screen. A revival series has been teased by the show’s cast for years, and it’s finally in development. Details have been trickling in, and now we know more about what we can expect the show’s premise to be. During a conversation with Collider, Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence revealed that the series will take place in the present time and won’t pick up right after the original show’s conclusion. That’s a good thing, given the time that has lapsed and that the medical field was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“With the creative side, the show’s not going to pick up a day later. It can’t. I’m interested in where these characters are, that many years later. I always remember the finale of Scrubs, in Season 8, with J.D. saying he has a dream of how things would go and, ‘Tell me my fantasies won’t come true, just this once.’ I never said that’s what happened. I’m interested, not only creatively, in where they’d be now and who they are, but also under the umbrella of what’s happened to the medical world and how that looks now. And one step past that, I love stories where the students become the teachers, and that would be what has to happen in this type of world.”
The Scrubs cast, known for their close friendships (especially Zach Braff and Donald Faison, who co-host the comedy podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends), are understandably thrilled about the prospect of a reunion. As Lawrence tells Collider:
“The cool thing about ‘Scrubs’ is that people see us on social media and in real life together, all the time. Zach [Braff] hosted the Paley Center panel the other night. I hang out with John C McGinley. Sarah Chalke is coming into town. Of course, I’ll see Judy [Reyes]. [Neil] Flynn is on ‘Shrinking’. We’re all friends, but we’re also all friends with the crew. I can start rattling off different people that have worked with and for me there, for years and years, and the writing staff.”
Good Signs for the ‘Scrubs’ Reboot
The pieces are all falling into place for this Scrubs revival. With many of the original cast, writers, and directors available, it bodes well for capturing the magic of the original sitcom. Lawrence, who has been making rounds for another one of his hit shows, Shrinking, shares the excitement of reuniting with so many of the people that played a significant role in the show’s original run (from 2001 to 2010). He added that “it’s also cool to think of the new people” that could join the Scrubs team this time around. Lawrence noted that he’d be “bummed” if he didn’t get to see the original cast return (at least in cameo appearances), and that “the show would only work with a nice core of super beloved, hopefully, regulars that drive the show, mixed with a bunch of new actors.”
Reports indicate that Braff, Faison, and John C. McGinley, who portrayed the cynical and brilliant Dr. Cox, are set to return, with other original stars also expected to appear. As fans of the hit series will remember, the ninth season saw the introduction of a new cast of young doctors (Kerry Bishé, Michael Mosley, Dave Franco, and Eliza Coupe) take the lead. Lawrence previously said that he would not be opposed to seeing one of those talented actors “zip by” for the revival.
The Scrubs revival is currently in early development at ABC and 20th Television. The original sitcom, starring Braff, Faison, McGinley, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, and Neil Flynn, is available to stream on Hulu and Peacock.
- Cast
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John C. McGinley
, Robert Maschio
, Donald Faison
, Christa Miller
, Neil Flynn
, Judy Reyes
, Aloma Wright
, Zach Braff
, Sarah Chalke
, Sam Lloyd
, Ken Jenkins