The wait is almost over for fans of the beloved medical comedy. Scrubs is officially returning to television after 16 years, with the revival set to premiere on February 25, 2026, on ABC. The show will then be available to stream the next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ .
While the return of Zach Braff (J.D.), Donald Faison (Turk), and Sarah Chalke (Elliot) is the main attraction, the show is bringing back something else just as important: the look and feel of Sacred Heart Hospital. However, there is a significant twist. The original hospital building from the first eight seasons, the North Hollywood Medical Center located on Riverside Drive in Los Angeles, is no longer available. It has been converted into luxury condominiums, forcing the production team to find a new home for the Sacred Heart crew.
Finding a New Home for Sacred Heart
Bill Lawrence, the creator of Scrubs, confirmed early in 2025 that the search for a new location was on. The original hospital was described as a “creepy deserted hospital,” and that specific atmosphere was a key part of the show’s unique charm. When asked about finding a replacement, Lawrence kept it simple, stating, “The only bummer is that hospital is beautiful condos now on Riverside Drive in L.A. So we’ve gotta find a different creepy deserted hospital. The sad part is I’m sure we can” .
The production team eventually set up in Vancouver, British Columbia, a city often called “Hollywood North” due to the massive amount of film and television production that happens there. According to Creative BC, filming for the Scrubs revival began on October 6, 2025, and wrapped on December 19, 2025 . The primary filming location is Whites Studios Copperwood in Richmond, a suburb of Vancouver, located at 12211 Horseshoe Way .
How the Cast and Crew Recreated the Magic
Recreating the exact look of Sacred Heart 3,000 kilometers away from the original site was a challenge, but the cast and crew have opened up about how they managed to pull it off. In recent interviews, the stars shared how the new set captures the spirit of the old one.
Zach Braff, who also directed the pilot episode for the revival, explained that while the building is different, the goal was to maintain the same energy. In a set visit reported by 6abc, Braff talked about returning to the role and the environment. “(JD) is older and wiser. He’s got a couple of kids and he’s now going to be set up to be the teacher, to be a great teacher to these young interns,” Braff said, giving context for his character’s return to the hospital halls .
Donald Faison kept it real about why the group decided to come back for more. “Because the fans want it! And we’re all ready to do it again too. When ‘Scrubs’ ended, we all went and did a bunch of different things. But nothing was ever like what it was here, you know what I mean?” he shared during the same set visit . This sense of family and comfort translated directly into how they approached the new Vancouver set.
Sarah Chalke, who actually grew up in North Vancouver, has a personal connection to the new filming location . She spoke about the tone they are aiming for in the revival. “I think it’s a time when everybody needs to laugh. And I think ‘Scrubs,’ one of my favorite things about it in the original form was that even though, you know, it’s a comedy, it always felt so real. And I think our goal was to make people really feel something,” Chalke explained .
Phill Lewis, returning as the neurotic Dr. Hooch, echoed the family sentiment. “It’s just been amazing. I’m so glad that I’m a part of this family. And that’s really what we are. We’re one big family here, and we’re having a great time,” he said from the Vancouver set .
Who Is Back and Who Is Missing
The revival consists of nine episodes and brings back the core cast that fans remember.
Returning as series regulars are:
- Zach Braff as Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian
- Donald Faison as Dr. Christopher Turk
- Sarah Chalke as Dr. Elliot Reid
Judy Reyes (Carla) and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) are also back, but due to their schedules on other shows (High Potential for Reyes and Rooster for McGinley), they appear in a recurring capacity. Reyes is confirmed for four episodes, while McGinley appears in three .
Fan favorites Neil Flynn (the Janitor) and Christa Miller (Jordan) are set for guest appearances. Unfortunately, Ken Jenkins, who played the cantankerous Dr. Bob Kelso in all nine original seasons, is not in the first season of the revival. Bill Lawrence explained the situation to Deadline, stating, “Dr. Kelso will be back next year. It just didn’t work out this year, but it will next year” . Jenkins is 85 years old and had largely retired from acting, but the door is open for his return.
The revival also introduces a new class of interns, including Ana Bunn, Jacob Dudman, David Gridley, Layla Mohammadi, and Amanda Morrow . Vanessa Bayer joins as Sibby, who runs the hospital’s wellness program, and Joel Kim Booster plays Dr. Eric Park, an attending physician .
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What to Expect From the Story
The revival ignores the events of the divisive ninth season, picking up as if the show ended with the Season 8 finale . Life has moved on for the characters. When the original series ended, J.D. and Elliot were married and expecting a daughter. Now, 16 years later, they have two children together. Turk and Carla, who had two daughters, now have four children .
The official logline reads: “JD and Turk 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” .
The first trailer, released in February 2026, shows J.D. walking back into the hospital, yelling, “I’m back, baby!” only to be met with confused stares from the new interns who have no idea who he is . The teaser also promises the return of the signature balance between comedy and genuine emotional moments that made the original so beloved .
Streaming and Release Details
The Scrubs revival premieres on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. The first two episodes will air back-to-back . For those who prefer streaming, new episodes will be available the next day on Hulu in the United States . For audiences in other regions, the show will be available on Hulu on Disney+ where applicable .
While the original North Hollywood Medical Center may now be condos, the spirit of Sacred Heart is alive and well in Vancouver. The cast and crew have worked hard to rebuild the hospital’s familiar halls, ensuring that when J.D., Turk, and Elliot walk through those doors again, it feels just like coming home.
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