ABC brings Scrubs back for a new era of medicine and “guy love.”
ABC returns to Sacred Heart Hospital this winter with the Scrubs revival, premiering Wednesday, Feb. 25, in back-to-back episodes.
The setup is classic Scrubs. J.D. and Turk scrub in together for the first time in a long while. Medicine and the interns have evolved, but J.D. and Turk’s bromance remains rock-solid through every life change. The 30-minute revival comedy series stars Zach Braff as John “J.D.” Dorian, Donald Faison as Christopher Turk, and Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid. The revival also brings back familiar faces in a big way, with Judy Reyes and John C. McGinley set to guest star as Carla and Dr. Perry Cox.
The original series still hits because it never cheats the emotions.
When Scrubs first arrived, it looked like a simple hospital comedy. Then it immediately showed it had more range than most sitcoms. The show mixed rapid-fire jokes with fantasy cutaways and sharp character beats. Likewise, it had a rare willingness to sit in the messy parts of life, including grief, pressure, and burnout.
For years, Braff’s J.D. served as the audience’s guide through the chaos. His inner monologue gave the series its trademark rhythm, flipping from goofy to heartfelt in a heartbeat. That tone became the show’s secret weapon. It could deliver a laugh and then pull the rug out from under you with a quiet, honest moment.
The chemistry across the cast did the rest. Turk was confident. J.D. was the panic. Elliot brought ambition, insecurity, and a desperate need to be taken seriously. Dr Cox delivered hard truths like a wrecking ball, and Carla kept the world grounded when everyone else was spiralling.
Why a revival makes sense now
A Scrubs comeback finds new relevance in today’s TV landscape. Hospital life has evolved, and modern medicine moves faster than ever. This opens fresh avenues for the revival to examine, such as the challenges and dynamics faced by a new generation of interns who grapple with changing technology, modern healthcare debates, and shifting cultural pressures.
At the same time, the revival is leaning into what people actually missed. The hook is not only the hospital. It is the friendships that were formed inside it, especially the bond between J.D. and Turk. Their dynamic has always been the heart of the show, and the new story promises to test that friendship in a world that never stops changing.
The revival is also bringing back key voices behind the scenes. Bill Lawrence returns as an executive producer through Doozer Productions, alongside Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer. Braff, Faison and Chalke will also executive produce, keeping the tone tied to what made the show work in the first place.
What to watch for when Sacred Heart opens its doors again
ABC launching with back-to-back episodes signals confidence, and it sets the stage for the revival to move fast. The biggest challenge will be balance. The show needs to feel like Scrubs without becoming a greatest-hits replay.
If the revival nails the character rhythm early, Sacred Heart could feel like home again. If it leans too hard on callbacks, it may struggle to stand on its own. Still, the promise of old faces, new characters and the return of one of TV’s most iconic friendships makes this an easy date-night watch for longtime fans.
Sacred Heart is back. The pager is buzzing. And yes, “guy love” is apparently still undefeated.
Scrubs premieres on ABC on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026, and streams the next day on Hulu.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
