Beloved medical comedy Scrubs is officially scrubbing back in, with ABC giving a straight-to-series order for a revival set to air in the 2025-2026 television season. Fans will be thrilled to learn that original series stars Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke are all confirmed to return, reprising their iconic roles as Dr. John ‘J.D.’ Dorian, Dr. Christopher Turk, and Dr. Elliot Reid, respectively. All three actors will also serve as executive producers on the new series.
The news, widely reported by outlets including Variety, Deadline, and ABC News, marks a highly anticipated return for the show, which originally ran for seven seasons on NBC (2001-2008) before moving to ABC for its final two seasons (2009-2010).
Original series creator Bill Lawrence expressed his excitement, stating, “Scrubs means so very much to me. So excited for the chance to get the band back together.” Lawrence will executive produce the revival through his company Doozer, alongside Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer. Joining him at the helm are Scrubs alums Tim Hobert and Aseem Batra, who will serve as executive producers and showrunners, ensuring the new iteration maintains the original’s signature blend of humor and heart.
The official logline for the new Scrubs offers a glimpse into the updated narrative: “JD (Braff) & Turk (Faison) scrub in together for the first time in a long time- medicine has changed, interns have changed, but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart and some surprises along the way.” This suggests a continuation of the beloved dynamic between J.D. and Turk, while acknowledging the passage of time and evolution of the medical field.
Bill Lawrence previously hinted at his vision for the revival, describing it as a hybrid approach that would revisit the original characters over a decade after the series concluded, while also introducing new surgical interns. This strategy aims to explore how the world of medicine has changed and how the original characters have adapted, or perhaps been “beaten down by the system,” as Braff humorously suggested, while still retaining their optimism.
While Braff, Faison, and Chalke are confirmed, discussions are reportedly underway for other original cast members to make appearances. Judy Reyes, who played head nurse Carla Espinosa, is currently a series regular on ABC’s High Potential, but sources indicate positive scheduling conversations are ongoing to allow her to participate. The original ensemble also included fan favorites like John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox), Neil Flynn (The Janitor), and Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso), whose potential returns would undoubtedly delight long-time fans. The late Sam Lloyd, who portrayed Ted Buckland, will be honored, with Lawrence acknowledging his significant contribution to the show.
The development of the Scrubs reboot was first reported in December 2024, with Zach Braff’s return confirmed in May. The series order now solidifies its place on ABC’s 2025-2026 schedule, joining other returning comedies like Abbott Elementary and Shifting Gears, and the new drama 9-1-1: Nashville. Produced by 20th Television, the revival promises to bring back the unique comedic and emotional storytelling that made Scrubs a critical darling and a fan favorite, even earning a Peabody Award in 2006.
