Zach Braff Says It Was ‘Really Shocking’ to Learn Some “Scrubs” Reboot Costars ‘Weren’t Alive’ When Show First Came Out (Exclusive)

**’Scrubs’ Returns: The Beloved Comedy Revives After 25 Years with a New Generation**

A quarter of a century after its original debut, *Scrubs* has made a triumphant return to television screens, reuniting old favourites while welcoming a fresh crop of talent. The revival of the beloved medical comedy premiered on ABC on 25 February 2023, with subsequent episodes made available for streaming on Hulu the following day.

Star Zach Braff, who reprises his iconic role as Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian, recently expressed his astonishment at working alongside a new generation of actors who weren’t even alive when the show first graced our screens in 2001. At the premiere event held at The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, Braff shared, “I’m working with these 25-year-olds who are brilliant and smart… and then they say they were born in 2000, and it kind of blows your mind.” His disbelief was palpable as he reflected on the significant age gap between himself and his younger co-stars.

Braff, now 50, acknowledged the surreal feeling of seeing these young talents, saying, “It’s weird when you do the math, it doesn’t feel right.” He pointed out that while some of these newcomers were born long after the series began, others were mere infants at that time, adding to the surreal nature of the experience.

Donald Faison, Braff’s long-time friend and co-star, echoed similar sentiments. “You really don’t realise you’re old until somebody reminds you of how old you are,” he remarked, portraying Dr. Christopher Turk. Faison emphasised the bizarre nature of collaborating with individuals who were not only not born when *Scrubs* started but were also too young to even remember the show’s initial run. He noted the surreal moment when someone informed him, “I was freshly out of the womb when *Scrubs* started, and now I’m on the show with you.”

*Scrubs* originally aired for nine seasons from 2001 until 2010 and amassed a devoted fanbase through its unique blend of comedy, drama, and heartfelt moments. The revival promises to continue the storyline established in the original series, featuring a number of returning characters alongside a new ensemble of interns.

Returning cast members include fan favourites such as Sarah Chalke as Dr. Elliot Reid, John C. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox, and Judy Reyes as head nurse Carla Espinosa. They are reunited with the original dynamic that made the show a cherished classic, while also bringing together a new cast of young stars, including Ava Bunn, Jacob Dudman, and David Gridley, among others.

Chalke, 49, shared her own disbelief at the generational shift, commenting, “In your mind, you kind of still think you’re 30.” Nonetheless, she expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with new talent, describing them as “nice and talented” and highlighting how enjoyable it was to connect with her new co-stars. “They are ridiculously talented, and yes, it is an interesting marker of time to think that it’s 25 years ago that we were doing this,” she added.

The revival also introduced notable new additions to the cast, including Vanessa Bayer, a former *Saturday Night Live* member, and comedian Joel Kim Booster, who both play characters employed at Sacred Heart Hospital. Their inclusion is expected to add fresh dynamics to the ensemble, creating a blend of the old and the new that may prove appealing to both veteran viewers and newcomers alike.

As the series resumes, it captures the nostalgia of its original audience while simultaneously engaging a younger demographic. The mixture of familiar faces with emerging talent provides a bridge between the past and present, positioning the show to attract a diverse range of viewers for its latest iteration.

With much anticipation surrounding its release, the *Scrubs* revival is not simply a nostalgic throwback but an opportunity to explore new narratives within the familiar framework of “Sacred Heart Hospital.” As audiences tune in, it remains to be seen how the impact of 25 years will weave into the storylines, portraying the evolution of both character and content in a fast-paced world.

While it is undeniably a momentous occasion for fans of the original show, it also represents an exciting chapter for the new cast members embracing the beloved comedy for the first time, indicating that *Scrubs* continues to have a lasting influence on the landscape of television comedy.