Yahoo Lifestyle Scrubs Revival Nearing ABC Green Light as Major Hurdle Is Cleared
Scrubs is poised to pick up exactly where it left off: on ABC.
TVLine has learned that the in-the-works revival of Bill Lawrence’s hospital-set comedy is in development specifically at ABC, which is where the series aired the final two of its nine seasons (after seven seasons on NBC).
More from TVLine
Buzz that the Disney-owned 20th Television was looking to resurrect Scrubs intensified earlier this fall when Lawrence revealed to our sister pub Deadline that the new iteration is “getting really close to being figured out,” adding, “Big chunks of the creative team behind the camera, and most of it from in front of the camera, are all super invested and excited, so very close.”
The primary obstacle to Scrubs returning had been Lawrence’s current exclusive overall deal with Warner Bros. TV, home to the EP’s Bad Monkey, Shrinking and Ted Lasso. Sources confirm that 20th — which is under the same Disney corporate umbrella as ABC — has worked out an agreement with Warner Bros. that will allow Lawrence to shepherd the new series (although he will not serve as showrunner should the project move forward, we’re told).
The focus now turns to inking deals with Scrubs‘ OG stars, most notably Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke and Donald Faison. An insider stresses that no deals are currently in place for any returning cast members.
In the aforementioned Deadline Q&A, Lawrence shared that Scrubs 2.0 is being envisioned as both a revival and a reboot, i.e. a mix of old and new cast members.
“We’ve been talking about a lot, and I think the only real reason to do it is a combo,” he told the trade. “[Fans want] to see what the world of medicine was like for the people they love. But… I think that show always worked because you get to see young people dropped into the world of medicine, knowing young people that go there are super idealistic and are doing it because it’s a calling.”
Reps for ABC and 20th Television declined to comment for this story.
25 Best Workplace Comedies, Ranked!
Best of TVLine
The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More
Summer TV Calendar: Your Guide to 85+ Season and Series Premieres
Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
