The Return of Scrubs: A Revival Over a Decade in the Making

After more than a decade since its final episode aired, the beloved medical comedy “Scrubs” is making a triumphant return to television. ABC confirmed in July 2025 that they are reviving the show for a tenth season, much to the delight of fans who have missed the quirky doctors and nurses of Sacred Heart Hospital. The original series, which ran from 2001 to 2010, followed the professional and personal lives of medical staff at the fictional teaching hospital, combining heartfelt moments with creator Bill Lawrence’s signature humor. The show initially starred Zach Braff as the daydreaming Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian, alongside Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Judy Reyes, Neil Flynn, Ken Jenkins, and John C. McGinley. The series attempted a soft reboot in its ninth season titled “Med School,” which shifted focus to new medical students while keeping only a few original cast members as regulars. While that experiment was short-lived, lasting just one season, the upcoming revival promises to return to the show’s roots while acknowledging the passage of time for these beloved characters.

The core trio that made “Scrubs” so special is officially returning for the revival. Zach Braff will reprise his role as J.D., whose internal monologues and wild fantasies guided viewers through the original series. Donald Faison is also confirmed to return as Dr. Christopher Turk, J.D.’s best friend and brilliant surgeon. Sarah Chalke, who played Dr. Elliot Reid for eight seasons before appearing as a guest in the ninth, is also returning as a main cast member. This reunion is particularly meaningful for fans who watched J.D. and Elliot’s on-again-off-again relationship finally solidify in the later seasons. The chemistry between these three actors was a cornerstone of the original show’s success, with Braff and Faison’s real-life friendship mirroring their on-screen bromance. Their return suggests the revival will honor the relationships that made “Scrubs” more than just a workplace comedy, but a heartfelt exploration of friendship, love, and personal growth amidst the challenges of medical careers.

The revival is also bringing back several fan-favorite supporting characters, with John C. McGinley returning as the acerbic but brilliant Dr. Perry Cox. McGinley’s portrayal of Cox, J.D.’s reluctant mentor who delivered devastating rants while hiding his genuine care for patients and protégés, was one of the show’s highlights. Judy Reyes will also return as nurse Carla Espinosa, though in a recurring capacity rather than as a series regular. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly in September 2025, Reyes revealed that she’ll appear in a four-episode arc, sharing that “ABC has been really wonderful about creating space for me to actually do Scrubs. It’s a four-episode recurring arc — so that makes it very doable — and because they’re both on ABC/Disney, they’re working together to make it possible.” Reyes also offered fans a tantalizing glimpse into Carla’s current life, revealing that “Turk and Carla are still together and they have four kids. They still work at Sacred Heart Hospital and the three leads have three interns of their own.” This suggests the revival will show how the original characters have evolved into mentors themselves, coming full circle from their days as inexperienced interns.

The supporting cast will be rounded out by Robert Maschio reprising his role as the high-fiving, innuendo-loving surgeon known as “The Todd,” and Phill Lewis returning as the unstable Dr. Hooch in a recurring guest role. Lewis’s return is particularly intriguing since, as the announcement reminds fans, the last time we saw Hooch, “he was being arrested for taking interns hostage.” These character returns suggest the revival will maintain the show’s balance of heart and humor, with the eccentric supporting characters providing comic relief while the main cast carries the emotional weight of the stories. The mention of the main characters now mentoring their own interns also suggests a structure that could introduce new characters while keeping the original cast central to the show’s premise. This approach could potentially avoid the pitfalls of the ninth season “Med School” experiment, which many fans felt strayed too far from what made the show special in the first place.

While many familiar faces are returning, some notable absences have been noticed by fans. Neil Flynn, who played the enigmatic Janitor who tormented J.D. throughout the series, has not yet been announced as part of the revival. Flynn’s portrayal of the Janitor, a character who was originally intended to be a figment of J.D.’s imagination before becoming a fully-realized person, was a standout element of the original series. Similarly, Christa Miller, who played Cox’s ex-wife Jordan and is creator Bill Lawrence’s real-life spouse, has not yet been confirmed to return despite appearing in most of Lawrence’s projects. Johnny Kastl, who portrayed the incompetent but lovable Dr. Doug Murphy, is not expected to return, as he has left acting behind to pursue a career in law. These absences raise questions about how the show will address these missing characters, especially since the Janitor and Jordan were integral to the original show’s dynamics. However, with the revival still in development, there’s always the possibility of surprise appearances or guest spots from these beloved characters.

The revival of “Scrubs” comes at a time when nostalgia for beloved shows is at an all-time high, with many series from the early 2000s finding new audiences through streaming platforms. What sets this revival apart from many others is the return of so many original cast members and the involvement of creator Bill Lawrence, suggesting a genuine continuation rather than a reinvention. The decision to show the original characters now mentoring their own interns creates a natural bridge between the show’s past and future, acknowledging the passage of time while maintaining the workplace dynamics that made “Scrubs” so engaging. For fans who grew up with the show, seeing how J.D., Turk, Elliot, and the others have matured in their careers and personal lives offers a chance to reconnect with characters who felt like friends. The revival promises to blend nostalgia with new storylines, creating something that honors the original while standing on its own. As Sacred Heart Hospital reopens its doors after more than a decade, both longtime fans and newcomers alike will surely be eager to see how these beloved doctors and nurses have changed, and more importantly, how they’ve stayed the same.