More than 15 years after viewers watched John “J.D.” Dorian walk out of the Sacred Heart parking lot for the last time, the iconic doctor is walking back in. But he is not carrying a pager or hunting for coffee. He is now the one in charge.
The official trailer for the ‘Scrubs’ revival, released by ABC on February 10, 2026, gives the first full look at Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke stepping back into their white coats. While the sight of J.D. and Turk doing The Robot brings back the early 2000s energy, the core of the two-minute preview focuses on something the original series never had the chance to explore: J.D. Dorian as the teacher .
The revival is set to premiere on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with two back-to-back episodes airing at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. All episodes will be available for streaming the following day on Hulu in the United States. For viewers in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and India, the series will be available on Hulu on Disney+ or international Disney+ Star hubs, releasing every Thursday after the ABC broadcast .
Dr. Cox Passes the Torch While J.D. Inherits the Headaches
The trailer makes it clear that time has passed for everyone at Sacred Heart. Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley) is still grumpy, but he is also tired. In one of the most significant moments of the preview, Cox pulls J.D. aside for a private conversation. Instead of mocking J.D.’s haircut or calling him a girl’s name, Cox admits defeat.
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Dr. Cox tells J.D. that he cannot train the new interns the way he used to. The world has changed, and his old methods do not work anymore. He then passes the responsibility directly to J.D. , telling his former student that he is now the one who needs to guide the next generation .
It is a full-circle moment for a relationship that defined the emotional weight of the original series. The trailer suggests that J.D. is hesitant but willing. The interns confusing Cox are now J.D.’s problem to solve.
Meet the New Sacred Heart Interns
The revival introduces a roster of young medical trainees who look at J.D. the way he once looked at Cox. Ava Bunn, Jacob Dudman, David Gridley, Layla Mohammadi, and Amanda Morrow star as the new class of Sacred Heart interns .
These five actors make up the core group of new medical staff. The trailer shows them making classic first-day mistakes, looking lost in the hallways, and struggling to keep up with the pace of the hospital. Unlike the original pilot where J.D. was terrified of Cox, this batch of interns seems to mostly confuse their attending physicians.
Turk (Donald Faison) immediately bonds with the new group. One scene shows him teaching them The Robot. Another shows a mass high-five session involving The Todd (Robert Maschio), who returns to remind everyone that high-fives never went out of style .
Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) is also back at Sacred Heart. While the trailer does not specify her exact role, she appears confident and settled. The dynamic between J.D., Turk, and Elliot remains intact, though all three are noticeably older and carrying different responsibilities.
New Faces, New Rivals, and Returning Favorites
The revival is packing its guest cast with both fresh talent and deep-cut callbacks.
Vanessa Bayer joins as a new hospital administrator. Based on the trailer, her character seems focused on rules, paperwork, and keeping the doctors in line—setting up natural conflict with the chaotic Sacred Heart staff .
Joel Kim Booster appears as a rival doctor who seems to get under J.D.’s skin immediately. The trailer hints at professional jealousy and competition for respect within the hospital .
Phill Lewis returns as Dr. Hooch, a fan-favorite recurring character from the original run. His appearances were always unpredictable and stressful for the main cast. Robert Maschio is also back as The Todd, suggesting the revival is leaning into nostalgia without completely rebuilding the cast .
On the nursing side, X Mayo and Broadway veteran Michael James Scott join as new nurses. Scott, known for playing the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway, portrays Nurse Francois Dubois, a character who appears to have strong opinions and a theatrical presence .
Judy Reyes is back as Carla Espinosa. While the trailer only gives brief glimpses of her, Reyes is listed as a guest star. Carla was always the emotional anchor of the original series, and her dynamic with Turk remains a key part of the show’s heart .
Creator Bill Lawrence Explains the Time Jump
Bill Lawrence, who created the original series and returns as an executive producer, has been clear that the revival does not ignore the passage of time.
“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.”
— Bill Lawrence to multiple outlets, 2024
Lawrence also stressed that he loves stories where students become teachers. The revival is built entirely around that idea. J.D. is no longer the daydreaming rookie. He is now the veteran who must figure out how to inspire a group of kids who grew up in a completely different medical and social environment .
Medicine Has Changed, But Sacred Heart Looks Familiar
The trailer confirms that the revival is set in the present day. Medicine has evolved. Technology is different. The way patients and staff interact has shifted. But the Sacred Heart Hospital sets look intentionally similar to the original. The lighting, the走廊s, and even the break room carry the same visual tone.
The soundtrack choice for the trailer—Britney Spears’ “Gimme More” —signals that the show is not trying to be sad or overly serious. It is fun, loud, and slightly ridiculous .
Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke are not just starring in the revival. All three are credited as executive producers alongside Lawrence. Aseem Batra serves as showrunner and executive producer. Doozer Productions and 20th Television are producing the series for ABC and Disney Television Studios .
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What the Trailer Reveals About J.D.’s New Role
The original Scrubs was always about J.D. finding his way. He was insecure, eager to please, and constantly seeking approval from Dr. Cox. The revival trailer flips that dynamic completely.
J.D. is now the person younger doctors look to for guidance. He is the one setting the tone. Dr. Cox telling J.D. that he “can do for them what I did for you” is the single most important line in the trailer . It confirms that J.D. has not just returned to Sacred Heart—he has returned to fill the role his mentor once occupied.
Whether J.D. is ready for that responsibility, or if he will spend the season questioning himself the way he always did, remains to be seen. But the setup is clearly designed to honor the past while moving the story forward.
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