After 16 years, the doctors are back on duty. The Scrubs revival is officially coming to ABC on February 25, and the show is bringing back the heart and humor that made the original a favorite for millions of viewers. The new season, which is the show’s 10th, will feature original cast members Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke as series regulars, reprising their beloved roles as J.D., Turk, and Elliot .
For anyone who grew up watching the antics at Sacred Heart Hospital, this news feels like running into an old friend. The revival has been in the works for some time, and ABC officially confirmed the series order in 2025. Now, with the premiere just days away, fans finally have a clear picture of who is coming back and what the new episodes will look like .
The Core Trio Leads the Revival
The new season puts the spotlight back on the friendship that held the original show together. Zach Braff and Donald Faison will scrub in together again, and their on-screen chemistry remains a major selling point for the revival. The official logline for the series confirms that J.D. and Turk reunite at Sacred Heart after a long time apart. Medicine has changed, the new interns are different, but their bond has stayed strong .
Sarah Chalke is also back as a series regular, meaning Dr. Elliot Reid will be fully involved in the action. Fans who watched the original series remember that J.D. and Elliot finally ended up together in the Season 8 finale, expecting their first child. The revival picks up 16 years later, and the couple now shares two children, adding a new layer to their relationship .
Judy Reyes and John C. McGinley Are Back in Recurring Roles
While the core trio is leading the charge, the Scrubs revival would not feel complete without Carla and Dr. Cox. Judy Reyes and John C. McGinley are both returning to the show, though they will appear in recurring roles rather than as full-time regulars .
This decision comes down to scheduling. Reyes currently stars in the ABC series High Potential, while McGinley is working on another Bill Lawrence project, the HBO show Rooster. Despite their busy calendars, both actors made time to return to the roles that fans love. Reyes is confirmed to appear in four episodes, and McGinley will be in three episodes of the nine-episode season .
The show also gives fans an update on Turk and Carla’s family. When the original series ended, they had two daughters. Now, 16 years later, they have four children. Reyes recently talked about playing a working mother of four, noting that Carla balances her job at the hospital with raising a large family, just like many real people do every day .
Both actors made it clear they are happy to be back. When asked if they would return for more seasons, Reyes responded with enthusiasm, and McGinley echoed the sentiment, saying there is nothing better than being part of this show .
The Janitor and Jordan Finally Confirmed
For weeks, fans wondered if two other key original cast members would show up. Recent reports have now confirmed that Neil Flynn and Christa Miller will reprise their roles as the Janitor and Jordan Sullivan .
The Janitor was one of the most unpredictable characters in the original run, constantly making J.D.’s life difficult for reasons that were never quite clear. Flynn went on to star in The Middle after Scrubs, but seeing him back in the halls of Sacred Heart is a major win for longtime viewers. Christa Miller, who is married to series creator Bill Lawrence, will also return as Dr. Cox’s sharp-tongued wife, Jordan .
Familiar Faces and New Additions to the Cast
Beyond the main cast, several other original actors are making guest appearances. Robert Maschio is back as The Todd, the high-fiving surgeon with very little filter. Phill Lewis will also reprise his role as Dr. Hooch, the easily stressed dentist who famously took interns hostage in the original series .
The revival also brings in a group of new cast members who will play the next generation of doctors and nurses. Vanessa Bayer, Joel Kim Booster, Ava Bunn, Jacob Dudman, David Gridley, Layla Mohammadi, and Amanda Morrow are joining the show as new characters navigating life at Sacred Heart .
In addition, Rachel Bilson, Andy Ridings, and Lisa Gilroy have signed on as guest stars. Bilson will play a character named Charlie, described as a beautiful and mysterious visitor at the hospital .
One Missing Face: Dr. Kelso Will Wait Until Season 2
There is one notable absence from the revival’s first season. Ken Jenkins, who played the cranky but secretly soft-hearted Dr. Bob Kelso, will not appear in the new episodes .
Jenkins is 85 years old and retired from acting several years ago. According to Bill Lawrence, the timing simply did not work out to include him this time around. However, Lawrence has confirmed that if the show gets renewed for a second season, Dr. Kelso will be back. Lawrence stated plainly that Kelso will return next year, reassuring fans that the character has not been forgotten .
What Happened to Season 9?
For fans who remember the confusing ninth season, the revival has a clear answer. Bill Lawrence confirmed that the new season picks up right after the Season 8 finale, completely ignoring the events of Season 9 .
The ninth season, originally titled Scrubs: Med School, introduced a new setting and new characters, including Eliza Coupe, Dave Franco, and Kerry Bishé. It was meant to be a spinoff, but network decisions turned it into a final season of Scrubs. The revival treats that season as if it never happened, allowing the show to return to its roots with the original characters and tone .
When asked if those Season 9 characters could ever return, Lawrence left the door open. He said he would be happy to have them back because they are great performers, but the first season is only nine episodes, and they already packed in as many familiar faces as possible .
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When and Where to Watch the Scrubs Revival
The Scrubs revival premieres on ABC on Wednesday, February 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The network will air the first two episodes back-to-back to kick off the season .
For viewers who prefer streaming, new episodes will be available on Hulu the day after they air on ABC. The entire original series is already streaming on Hulu, making it easy for anyone who wants to revisit the early days of J.D., Turk, and Elliot before diving into the revival .
What the Early Reviews Say
Critics who have seen the new episodes early are responding positively. One review described the revival as just as strong as the original series in its prime. The reviewer noted that the emotional moments and the comedy work together well, and the characters have evolved naturally while still keeping the silly, fun energy that fans loved from the beginning .
The same review mentioned that the show finds J.D. and Turk acting like their usual rambunctious selves, proving that some friendships never change, even after 16 years .
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