It’s really happening. “Scrubs,” the beloved medical comedy that ran from 2001 to 2010, is officially getting a reboot—and Zach Braff is back on board. The revival is in development at ABC with original series creator Bill Lawrence attached, and the project is already stirring excitement from longtime fans. While the series hasn’t yet been greenlit, momentum is picking up fast.
Zach Braff Confirms He Will Reprise J.D. in the ‘Scrubs’ Reboot
Braff will reprise his iconic role as Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian in the reboot, ending months of uncertainty that reportedly centered around contract negotiations and filming location disputes. Braff had been pushing for the series to shoot in Los Angeles instead of Vancouver—a sticking point that nearly derailed the entire project. According to Deadline insiders, both sides recently reached an agreement, making Braff the first original cast member officially locked in.
Braff, who earned three Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nod for his role, had remained hopeful about returning to the series. “I think it’s gonna happen,” he said in 2024. Now that his deal is finalized, 20th Television is expected to begin formal talks with the other core cast members, including Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes.
Zach Braff Has Been Open About Missing the ‘Scrubs’ Experience
Long before the deal closed, Braff spoke candidly about how much he missed the show that defined his early career. In an August 2024 appearance on the “Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum” podcast, he opened up about the camaraderie on set.
“I miss laughing every day. Belly laughing every day—that was the job,” Braff said. “We would do insane hours that people don’t even do anymore. We didn’t really have much of a life outside of it.”
Though he ruled out signing another long-term TV contract, Braff made it clear he was open to something more manageable. “Some sort of a limited thing? You’re basically saying, ‘Do you wanna go get the gang back together and laugh your (expletive) off with some of your best friends and be paid well?’ Yeah, that sounds amazing.”
Creator Lawrence described the new show as a hybrid—a mix of continuation and reboot. It will revisit original characters while introducing new surgical interns to carry the story forward. Lawrence will not serve as showrunner, as he’s currently juggling several high-profile projects, including “Ted Lasso,” “Shrinking,” and an upcoming Steve Carell comedy for HBO.
Judy Reyes Talks Possibility of Revisiting Carla
One familiar face who’s more than ready to return is Judy Reyes, who portrayed nurse Carla Espinosa. Speaking with TV Insider at the Disney Upfronts, Reyes lit up at the idea of checking in on Carla’s life two decades later.
“Sure! I would love to know what Carla’s doing 25 years later,” she said. “Are she and Turk still married? Did JD steal him from Carla? Are their kids grown? Do they have more kids? All that kind of stuff. I’m interested in knowing.”
She also reflected on what made Carla and Turk’s relationship so resonant. “They’ve always been so real. The romance comes in their wit, in their sense of humor, in their fights, in their endurance, and in their ability to stay together,” she shared.
As casting continues and development progresses, fans of “Scrubs” may finally get to return to Sacred Heart—and find out what their favorite doctors and nurses have been up to all these years.
Tell us! Which original “Scrubs” star would you like to see return besides Zach Braff? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments
Zach Braff Makes a Major Announcement About the Scrubs Reboot