Zach Braff Reveals Why Scrubs Season 9 Isn't Part of Revival Storyline

3 weeks ago 14

Zach Braff Reveals Why ‘Scrubs’ Season 9 Isn't Part of Revival Storyline

The doctors at Sacred Heart Hospital are ready to scrub back in.

Indeed, original Scrubs cast members Zach Braff (J.D.), Donald Faison (Turk), Sarah Chalke (Elliott), Judy Reyes (Nurse Carla) and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) have all returned to the hit medical comedy for a season 10 revival

Despite fan backlash over season nine, which aired in 2009 and only saw the brief return of Zach and Donald’s characters mixed in with an entirely new cast, fans can expect to see more of the same hospital shenanigans from seasons one through eight (including hilariously inappropriate quips from “The Todd.”)

“There's drama, there's comedy, there's these wacky fantasies, but the baseline is that the show is based in reality,” Zach revealed alongside Donald and Sarah in an interview with E! News, admitting that the cast and the show’s creator Bill Lawrence thought season nine should have been a spinoff called Scrubs: Med School. "I think we wanted to come back and sort of regroup and go, well, let's bring this back to what it started as."

“That’s not really part of the canon of this story, and we're staying with season eight as the finale,” Zach added, before cautioning that the way the eighth season ended wasn’t necessarily a happy ending despite J.D.'s final vision of his happily-ever-after marriage to Elliott.

“It's what he dreams would happen,” the 50-year-old emphasizes. “And as we all know, some dreams come true, and some don't.”

Interest in the original characters and the show never waned in the 16 years since the show has been off the air, due in part to Zach and Donald’s chemistry and off-screen friendship on full display in their T-Mobile commercials and their podcast ‘Fake Doctors, Real Friends with Zach and Donald.’ 

Hulu/ABC

With that has come a new generation of fans that occasionally become a little too eager to recite favorite moments from the show when they see cast members in public. 

Donald recalled one encounter abroad when a fan shouted his and Zach's famous “Eagle” scene at him, recalling, “Somebody jumped on my back in London. And I didn't like that. I threw him off my back and ran for my life,” to which Zach asked with a laugh, “Was he drunk?” 

“No!” Donald exclaimed, “It was like in the middle of the day!”

And that wasn’t the only inappropriate fan encounter, as Donald explained further, “Before my colonoscopy, the nurse in the waiting room was like, ‘I'm such a huge fan of the show.’ And that was kind of weird. She wanted to talk about the show for a bit of time while I’m in my robe and sitting there trying my best not to feel uncomfortable.”

Zach admitted he had a similar encounter, recalling, “I definitely had that with doctors where you're like naked in a robe. And they're like, ‘You know what you should do if you revive Scrubs?’ And you're like, ‘Aren't I supposed to be coughing right now?’”

Though the role has come with some perks too, as Donald adds, “You walk into the doctor's office and everybody's like, oh s—! Turk's here! Let's get him in the back as quickly as possible.”

Disney/Jeff Weddell

Bizarre encounters aside, Donald says it felt “trippy” seeing the original cast come back together for a new season, though it was the only prerequisite they all had for it to come to fruition.

“We talked about this for a couple of years, but we'd all said like, ‘Well, if we're going to do it, we all want to do it,’” Sarah explained, who said it “felt like home” putting on her white doctor’s coat and scrubs once again. 

The only difference among them? 

“I have wrinkles,” Zach said with a laugh. “You know, every time I post a picture of me and Donald, every fourth comment is, ‘Well, Donald didn't age.’” 

Scrubs premieres on ABC on February 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, with next-day streaming on Hulu.

For more TV premiere dates, keep reading.

FAMILY GUY © 2024 by 20th Television

Family Guy (Fox) - Feb. 15

The animated comedy returns for season 24.

AMC Networks

It Could Happen Here - (Sundance TV, AMC+) - Feb. 19

Season three, led by advocate and actress Hilarie Burton-Morgan, examines the challenges and complexities of small-town justice and spotlights cases in Pennsylvania, Texas, Indiana, Oklahoma and Kentucky, seeking accountability and justice for victims. By speaking directly with the family members of those involved with the cases, as well as community members, local journalists and legal experts, the series continues its work revealing systemic flaws within the criminal justice system and encourages viewers to lend their voices to those who have been silenced. 

Apple TV+

The Last Thing He Told Me (Apple TV+) - Feb. 20

In season two of The Last Thing He Told Me, when Owen (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) shows up after five years on the run, Hannah (Jennifer Garner) and her stepdaughter Bailey (Angourie Rice) find themselves in a race to figure out how to reunite their family before the past catches up to them.

Hulu

Shoresy (Hulu) - Feb. 21

Shoresy and the Bulldogs fight to protect the North American game.

FOX

American Dad (Fox) - Feb. 22

The animated comedy returns for its milestone 20th season.

Hulu/Disney

Paradise (Hulu) - Feb. 23

Xavier searches for Teri out in the world and learns how people survived the three years since The Day. Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of season one, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins.

Prime Video/Amazon Studios

The CEO Club (Prime Video) - Feb. 23

The new docu-series follows legendary athlete and businesswoman Serena Williams; award-winning artist and “Queen of Latin Pop” Thalia; former model and fashion designer Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger; Market America | SHOP.COM CEO Loren Ridinger; supermodel, beauty entrepreneur, and founder of Cay Skin Winnie Harlow; founder of Conteur Capital and wellness expert Hannah Bronfman; and founder, CEO and designer of ISA Grutman jewelry & Rangel, Isabela Rangel Grutman.

Magnolia Network/HGTV/Warner Bros. Discovery

Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation (Magnolia Network) - Feb. 24

Families who achieved their dreams of buying an affordable vacation home are now tasked with the tough job of turning it into the relaxing oasis they envisioned when they purchased it. In each stand alone episode, they work together to transform their new properties into a home away from home, proving that with a little imagination and a lot of muscle, you can have the relaxing getaway you've always wanted.

Disney/Jeff Weddell

Scrubs (ABC) - Feb. 25

ABC is scrubbing back in for Sacred Heart Hospital with the reboot of beloved comedy Scrubs starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke.

CBS

Survivor 50 (CBS) - Feb. 25

Survivor 50 will push the series into uncharted territory and impact the players like never before. For the first time ever, the game is In the Hands of the Fans. Twenty-four legendary castaways, selected from 49 unforgettable seasons, return to face surprise twists, high-stakes challenges, and fan-driven decisions that shape the game. Survivor 50 is a celebration of legacy, strategy and audience impact where the viewers play a pivotal role in the evolution of this groundbreaking game. The castaways will face a season to remember from the moment they step on the beach, with the same goal: to claim the title of Sole Survivor and win the $1 million prize. Survivor is hosted by five-time Emmy winner Jeff Probst.

Hulu/Disney

Dinosaur (Hulu) - Feb. 25

Season two follows Nina (Ashley Storrie), an autistic woman in her 30s, eight months after we last saw her. She is knee-deep in mud on an Isle of Wight dig site, living her palaeontology dream. Or at least, that’s what she tells herself. Truthfully, she’s exhausted, missing Glasgow, her family, Lee and her home comforts; namely Real Housewives marathons with sister Evie and sausage rolls. When she finally returns to Scotland, she finds that everything has changed. Her workplace has moved, there’s some big McArthur family news, plus she’s thrown into an awkward feelings triangle between Lee and an unexpected new arrival. She has learnt to handle change. But this much change, all at once?

Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios

The Gray House (Prime Video) - Feb. 26

The limited series reveals the extraordinary true story of the unsung women who helped turn the tide of the American Civil War in favor of the Union. At its center are a Virginia socialite, her indomitable mother, a formerly enslaved ally, and Richmond’s most infamous courtesan—four women operating at the heart of Confederate power. Together, they evolve their Underground Railroad operation into a daring and highly effective espionage network, risking their lives and freedom to help preserve the nation’s future and safeguard American Democracy.

Apple TV+

Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Apple TV+) - Feb. 27

Season two will pick up with the fate of Monarch—and the world—hanging in the balance. The dramatic saga reveals buried secrets that reunite our heroes (and villains) on Kong’s Skull Island, and a new, mysterious village where a mythical Titan rises from the sea. The ripple effects of the past make waves in the present day, blurring the bonds between family, friend and foe—all with the threat of a titan event on the horizon.

HBO Max/Warner Bros. Discovery

DTF St. Louis (HBO Max) - Mar. 1

A limited series about a love triangle between three adults experiencing middle-age malaise that leads to one of them ending up dead.

HGTV/Warner Bros. Discovery

Bachelor Mansion Takeover (HGTV) - Mar. 2

HGTV will bring 12 former Bachelor, Bachelorette, Golden Bachelor and Golden Bachelorette contestants back to the mansion where it all began to give the famed property a dramatic makeover in the network’s newest design competition series Bachelor Mansion Takeover. The six-episode series, hosted by Jesse Palmer, will challenge fan-favorite franchise alumni with expert renovation skills.

Bravo/NBCUniversal

Southern Hospitality (Bravo) - Mar. 4

Leva Bonaparte, the Queen of King Street, and her staff – Joe Bradley, Bradley Carter, TJ Dinch, Michols Peña, Maddi Reese and Lake Rucker – are back, and this summer is one for the books. Familiar faces Mia Alario, Grace Lilly and Molly Moore also return. 

The team at Republic also welcomes new hires Justin Assad and Bella Starcher, whose arrivals quickly shake up the dynamic on King Street. 

Southern Hospitality follows the lives of a tight-knit group of friends living and working together in Charleston, S.C. At Republic, there’s never a dull shift – where a splash of shade, a pinch of drama and rumors bubbling just beneath the surface keep the party going in the electrifying VIP world.

Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios

Young Sherlock (Prime Video) - Mar. 4

This reimagining of the beloved detective, brought to life by visionary director and executive producer Guy Ritchie, charts the origin story of Sherlock Holmes in an irreverent, action-laden mystery that follows the iconic detective’s early adventures.

Ruth Rose/Bravo

Ladies of London: The New Reign (Bravo) - Mar. 5

A new wave of British blue bloods, ambitious American expats and glamorous international socialites – Lady Emma Thynn, Martha Sitwell, Mark-Francis Vandelli, Lottie Kane, Missè Beqiri, Kimi Murdoch, Myka Meier and Margo Stilley – light up London’s elite social scene.  As tradition collides with the fast-paced globalized world, these power players redefine what it means to belong to high society in one of the most iconic cities in the world. Here, connections are currency, and the crown isn’t the only thing up for grabs.

Peacock/NBCUniversal

Ted (Peacock) - Mar. 5

Get ready for more laughs when Seth MacFarlane's comedy returns for season two.

Starz

Outlander (Starz) - Mar. 6

In the eighth and final chapter of Outlander, a heart-wrenching journey lies ahead for Claire and Jamie’s enduring love story. Audiences can anticipate tender romance and the edge-of-your-seat drama fans have come to cherish over the past eight seasons, as the celebrated and genre-defining series approaches its epic conclusion.

Hulu/Disney

Friends Like These: The Murder of Skylar Neese (Hulu) - Mar. 6

Three teenage girls share an unbreakable bond until terrible secrets threaten to emerge on social media. When one friend vanishes, the search for answers unearths a web of lies, betrayal, and murder—sending shockwaves through an unsuspecting community.

Oxygen/Versant Media

A Plan to Kill (Oxygen) - Mar. 8

It takes a certain type of person to commit murder. But to methodically devise a meticulous plan to take someone’s life – that type of killing takes on another level of savagery. Season two of Oxygen's true crime series examines the stories of disturbed killers who spend weeks, months or even years viciously scheming and plotting the demise of their victims.  

Netflix

One Piece: Into the Grand Line (Netflix) - Mar. 10

Netflix’s epic high-seas pirate adventure, One Piece, returns for season two—unleashing fiercer adversaries and the most perilous quests yet. Luffy and the Straw Hats set sail for the extraordinary Grand Line—a legendary stretch of sea where danger and wonder await at every turn. As they journey through this unpredictable realm in search of the world’s greatest treasure, they’ll encounter bizarre islands and a host of formidable new enemies. 

Hulu/Disney

Sunny Nights (Hulu) - Mar. 11

The comedy features Will Forte as strait-laced American Martin Marvin, who teams up with his loose cannon sister, Vicki, played by D’Arcy Carden, to set up a spray tan business in Sydney. But as Martin and Vicki attempt to turn their company from a start-up operating out of the back of a van into a multi-million-dollar empire, the siblings become tangled up in Sydney’s criminal underworld, and when a ruthless gangster begins to catch up with them, the two must figure out how to stay alive, out of prison, and in the black.

Netflix

Age of Attraction (Netflix) - Mar. 11

Age is thrown out the window when singles search for their soulmates, but will the years come between them? In this new dating series, hosted by Nick Viall and Natalie Joy, a group of daters will discover whether love is truly ageless.

Disney/Fred Hayes

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives - (Hulu) - Mar. 12

The stakes for #MomTok are at an all-time high as their sisterhood faces the forces of their expanding fame. When Taylor is announced as “The Bachelorette,” and Jen and Whitney head to Dancing with the Stars, competition creates chaos, temptations arise, and tradition turns upside down. Up against unraveling marriages, personal demons and family secrets – they must choose to lean on each other or face their fates untethered and alone on the world’s stage. Will the women remain loyal to their sisterhood to save it? Or will #MomTok shatter forever?

TLC/Warner Bros. Discovery

7 Little Johnstons (TLC) - Mar. 17

The Johnston family is back, and this season is all about love, laughter, and one unforgettable trip down the aisle. 7 Little Johnstons returns with a fun-filled, heartfelt new season as the family rallies around Liz and Brice ahead of the first wedding among the Johnston kids.

Picking up after the proposal, the season kicks off with Liz and Brice jumping headfirst into wedding planning with the entire family pitching in every step of the way. Along the journey are engagement photos, dress shopping, a bachelorette party, and all the excitement (and chaos) leading up to the big day.

From meaningful milestones to plenty of laughter, the upcoming season highlights the joy, love, and adventure that define the Johnston family.

Apple TV

Imperfect Women (Apple TV ) - Mar. 18

The new thriller examines a crime that shatters the lives of three women in a decades-long friendship. The unconventional thriller explores guilt and retribution, love and betrayal, and the compromises we make that irrevocably alter our lives. As the investigation unfolds, so does the truth about how even the closest friendships may not be what they seem.

Prime Video/Amazon

Invincible (Prime Video) - Mar. 18

While the world recovers from catastrophe, a changed Mark fights to protect his home and the people he loves, setting him on a collision course with a threat that could alter the fate of humanity forever.

Prime Video/Amazon MGM Studios

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Prime Video) - Mar. 20

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat is a documentary-style comedy that captures a corporate offsite event at a family-owned hot sauce company from the perspective of Anthony, a recently hired temporary worker. Unbeknownst to Anthony, the entire experience is staged, every colleague around him is performing a role, and each moment - whether in conference rooms or during downtime - has been meticulously orchestrated. As the founder prepares to step down, the getaway transforms into a clash between big corporate ambitions and small business values, with control of the company hanging in the balance.

For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App

Read Entire Article