Sacred Heart Hospital might soon open its doors again. ABC is officially developing a reboot of Scrubs, the cult-favorite medical comedy created by Bill Lawrence. The revival is being produced by 20th Television, marking a return to its ABC roots after the original series wrapped its nine-season run over a decade ago.
First premiering on NBC in 2001, Scrubs quickly became a standout in the comedy world for its blend of slapstick humor, heartfelt moments, and imaginative cutaway gags. The show followed John “J.D.” Dorian (Zach Braff), an earnest young medical intern, as he navigated the challenges of working at Sacred Heart Hospital alongside his best friend, Turk (Donald Faison), his on-again, off-again love interest Elliot (Sarah Chalke), and their no-nonsense mentor, Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley). Nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes) and the enigmatic Janitor (Neil Flynn) rounded out a cast that struck a perfect balance of humor and heart.
Over its nine-season run, Scrubs garnered 17 Emmy nominations and has since maintained a dedicated following. Its legacy has grown in recent years thanks to the rewatch podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends, hosted by Braff and Faison, where they reminisce about the series and share behind-the-scenes stories.
Bill Lawrence, the creative force behind Scrubs, is on board for the reboot, though he won’t be taking on day-to-day showrunner duties. Lawrence is currently under an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Television, where he oversees hits like Ted Lasso and Shrinking. A special carve-out in his contract allows him to work with Disney’s 20th Television on this project.
The new iteration of Scrubs will reportedly take a hybrid approach, revisiting beloved characters from the original while introducing a fresh crop of interns. Lawrence envisions a blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling, aiming to reflect the evolving world of medicine.
Discussions are underway to bring back much of the original cast, including Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and John C. McGinley. Judy Reyes’s involvement remains uncertain, as she’s currently starring in ABC’s breakout drama High Potential. Sources suggest that her character, Carla, is being factored into the reboot’s plans, with hopes that Reyes might balance both projects.
Scrubs left an indelible mark on television, with its unique ability to make audiences laugh and cry within the span of a single episode. Now, with the reboot in development, viewers may get the chance to reconnect with Sacred Heart Hospital’s iconic characters while meeting new faces who bring fresh perspectives to the ever-evolving world of medicine.
Stay tuned for more updates as this revival takes shape.