Zach Braff Joins ‘Scrubs’ Reboot in Development at ABC

Zach Braff may soon be scrubbing back in at Sacred Heart. The actor is on board to reprise the role of J.D. in a reboot of “Scrubs” being developed at ABC.

The reboot was first reported to be in early development in December, with original series creator Bill Lawrence serving as executive producer but not showrunner.

Lawrence, Braff and other “Scrubs” alum have discussed the idea of a reboot for years, but it couldn’t go into motion until after negotiations between Disney, which owns the IP, and Warner Bros. Television, where Lawrence has an overall deal. While working on “Scrubs” at Disney-owned 20th Television, Lawrence remains under his deal at WBTV, where he produces the Apple TV+ comedy series “Shrinking,” “Ted Lasso” and “Bad Monkey.”

“Scrubs” premiered in 2001 on NBC, which aired the series for seven seasons before cancelling it. It was then renewed by ABC for an eighth season, which was intended to end the series, though the network later greenlit a ninth season subtitled “Scrubs: Med School” in which only John C. McGinley and Donald Faison stayed on as series regulars. Braff appeared in six out of 13 episodes.

Alongside Braff as J.D. aka John Dorian, the original cast of “Scrubs” included McGinley as Perry Cox, Faison as Chris Turk, Judy Reyes as Carla Espinosa, Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid, Ken Jenkins as Bob Kelso and Neil Flynn as the janitor. The series was a single-camera sitcom set at Sacred Heart Hospital and narrated by J.D. as he and his friends advanced in their medical careers.

Braff is the only cast member currently confirmed to be attached to the reboot. He previously spoke about his enthusiasm to join a “Scrubs” reboot in a Variety interview about the 20th anniversary of his film “Garden State“: “The idea of getting back together with my friends and doing like 10 or 12 episodes of maybe one or two seasons, and just laughing with everyone? That sounds like a dream,” he said.