Zach Braff Returns: 'Scrubs' Reboot Officially in Development
The highly anticipated Scrubs reboot is gaining momentum as Zach Braff officially signs on to reprise his iconic role as J.D., bringing the revival of the beloved medical sitcom one step closer to reality. After years of discussions with creator Bill Lawrence, Braff's return signals a significant step forward for the show's comeback on ABC.
Development on the Scrubs reboot officially began in December, fueled by the "creative desire" of everyone involved, according to Disney TV chief Eric Schrier. With Braff's confirmed participation, could this pave the way for other original cast members to don their scrubs once again?
The reunion between Braff and Lawrence isn't entirely unexpected. Braff has previously shared his vision for J.D.'s character arc following the show's conclusion in 2010. The original series, which premiered in 2001, chronicled J.D.'s evolution from a naive intern to a seasoned medical professional at Sacred Heart Hospital.
In 2024, Braff mentioned that he envisioned a reboot where J.D. would take on a leadership role, similar to Dr. Cox. "But I think he's more in the Dr. Cox position these days," he said, "He's the senior doctor to the hospital." What kind of challenges and comedic situations might arise from this new dynamic?
The Original Cast and the Future of the Scrubs Reboot
Braff starred in eight of the nine seasons of Scrubs, with a recurring role in Season 9, which was rebranded as Scrubs: Med School. Only John C. McGinley and Donald Faison remained series regulars throughout the entire run. It's difficult to imagine a Scrubs reboot without either of them, particularly Faison, given the iconic bromance between Turk and J.D.
The original cast also included Judy Reyes, Sarah Chalke, Ken Jenkins, and Neil Flynn. Will they be joining the reboot as well? What kind of roles could these beloved characters play in the new setting?
Details about Lawrence's plans for J.D. and Sacred Heart Hospital remain under wraps, but he has expressed interest in exploring where the original characters are now and how they navigate leadership roles amidst modern medical advancements. What kind of challenges will they face?
He told Variety earlier this year: “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. I’m interested, not only creatively, in where they’d be now and who they are, but also under the umbrella of what’s happened to the medical world and how that looks now. And one step past that, I love stories where the students become the teachers, and that would be what has to happen in this type of world.”
Braff and Lawrence's Continued Collaboration
Even after Scrubs ended, Lawrence and Braff have continued to collaborate on various projects. Braff recently directed two episodes of Lawrence's Apple TV+ dramedy, Shrinking. Could he return for Season 3, which features Michael J. Fox and Jeff Daniels?
He also had a smaller role in Lawrence's newest series, Bad Monkey, starring Vince Vaughn. Their continued partnership bodes well for the creative direction of the Scrubs reboot.
The Scrubs reboot is still in the early stages of development. The return of Zach Braff marks a positive sign for fans eager to see the show's revival.
Stay tuned for further updates as Lawrence and Braff continue to work on bringing this beloved medical sitcom back to our screens. The reboot promises to bring a fresh perspective to the world of medicine and explore the lives of our favorite characters in a new and exciting way.