• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, February 24, 2026

‘Scrubs” does not miss a beat in its return to television 16 years after its first run ended in 2010.

For all intents and purposes, it feels the same, which is a good thing. This was -- and still is -- a show in which the relationships between its characters are believably and warmly rendered.

The friendship at the center of this half-hour hospital comedy re-premiering on ABC Wednesday night is the one between physicians J.D. Dorian (Zach Braff, now 49) and Christopher Turk (Donald Faison, 51). 

Their onscreen relationship was so memorable that the two of them have been co-starring as themselves in a series of commercials for T-Mobile since 2022. Their enduring popularity may have been a factor in reviving “Scrubs.”

The original “Scrubs” ran on NBC from 2001 to 2008 and then moved to ABC for a ninth and final season (2009-10), at least temporarily.

Then as now, the show takes place at fictional Sacred Heart Hospital where Dr. Turk still works, along with Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke, now 49), who married Dr. Dorian in the original series.

Braff, Faison and Chalke are the only three of the show’s regular cast members who are returning full time to the show.

Two other characters from the original show are described as “recurring” in the revived show -- Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley, 66), the tough veteran who was maniacally hard on his interns; and head nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes, 58).

Notably missing is Neil Flynn, 65, who played the hospital’s resentful janitor. When “Scrubs” ended, he went on to play a lead role as midwestern dad Mike Heck on one of the best family sitcoms ever made, “The Middle,” co-starring Patricia Heaton.

The premiere of the new “Scrubs” reintroduces us to the show’s main characters. It also introduces us to a new group of young interns who frustrate Dr. Perry, who is still in charge of them.

Here in 2026, he is barred by hospital rules from raising his voice to this new generation or being hard on them in any way -- the behavior he was known for on the old show.

“I am not sure how to teach these kids,” he laments to Dr. Dorian. “I can’t work them crazy hours or even abuse them anymore. I am now supposed to watch every word that comes out of my mouth because apparently they are all fragile little Christmas ornaments.”

The premise of the premiere has Dr. Dorian working in private practice as a concierge doctor. 

But he returns to the hospital for the first time in years to check up on a patient who has been hospitalized (guest-star Anna Maria Horsford). 

He then runs into his former co-workers and before the half-hour is over, he considers the possibility of returning.

“Scrubs” creator Bill Lawrence -- also a co-creator and showrunner on “Ted Lasso” -- has returned as executive producer of the new “Scrubs.” And the show still opens with a few bars of the 2002 song “Superman” by the band Lazlo Bane.

“Scrubs” premieres Wednesday, February 25, on ABC at 8 p.m. Eastern streaming on Hulu.