The popular medical comedy Scrubs is back in the spotlight. Originally premiering in 2001 and running for nine seasons until 2010, the show became one of the most distinctive shows on television. Created by Bill Lawrence, the show followed a group of young doctors learning the realities of life at Sacred Heart Hospital.
The main cast consisted of Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, Ken Jenkins, John C. McGinley, and Judy Reyes. The show’s popularity propelled their success, and they have since established impressive acting careers.
Moreover, in 2026, Scrubs returned with a reboot or as season 10 that reunited several original stars. The new series features Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke reprising their roles with a new set of cast. Original creator Bill Lawrence has returned as executive producer, and the revival airs on ABC and streaming on Hulu (via Hulu Press). Below is a look at the Scrubs cast then vs now, from main to recurring characters.
1. Zach Braff (John “J.D.” Dorian)
Zach Braff played Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian, the daydreaming medical intern who narrated the medical comedy-drama series. J.D.’s elaborate fantasy sequences and humor became a signature part of the show’s storytelling.
Braff’s career expanded far beyond acting. While still starring in Scrubs, he wrote and directed the indie hit Garden State. The movie earned him widespread acclaim. After the series ended in 2010, he continued directing movies such as Wish I Was Here and Going in Style. In 2023, he wrote and directed A Good Person. He starred, executive-produced, and directed the ABC comedy Alex, Inc (2018).
Braff has also directed television episodes, including a season 1 episode of Ted Lasso, for which he earned his second Emmy nomination. In the revival, he returns as J.D., now a more experienced doctor, coming back to Sacred Heart.
2. Donald Faison (Christopher Turk)
Donald Faison played Dr. Christopher Turk, J.D.’s best friend. The ambitious surgical intern eventually becomes the chief of surgery. Turk later married Judy Reyes’ Carla and started a family together. Before Scrubs, Faison appeared in the cult teen comedy Clueless, but his role as Turk defined his career.
After the series ended, he starred in the sitcom The Exes. He appeared in several other TV projects such as Drunk History, House of Lies, and more. He also built a strong voice-acting career, including roles in Star Wars Resistance and Robot Chicken. In movies, he appeared in Pitch Perfect and Little Evil.
Faison remains close friends with Braff and starred in Braff’s Wish I Was Here. The pair host the podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends, where they revisit episodes of Scrubs. He has also returned in season 10 as the Chief of Surgery and has four children with Carla.
3. Sarah Chalke (Elliot Reid)
Sarah Chalke portrayed Dr. Elliot Reid, a talented but often anxious doctor trying to prove herself in a demanding hospital environment. Her complicated romantic relationship with J.D. was one of the show’s central storylines. But their marriage didn’t last. In the finale season, they were expecting their first child. Before Scrubs, Chalke was already known for playing Becky Conner on Roseanne.
After the show ended, she continued acting in television and voice work. She played another doctor, Stella Zinman, on How I Met Your Mother. She reunited with Scrubs co-star Christa Miller in Cougar Town in a recurring role.
She gained widespread recognition for voicing Beth Smith in Rick and Morty. She also starred in the Netflix drama Firefly Lane. Chalke returns as Elliot in the Scrubs revival.
4. Judy Reyes (Carla Espinosa)
Judy Reyes played nurse Carla Espinosa, one of the strongest personalities at Sacred Heart. Carla served as both a mentor and a voice of reason for the young doctors. She forms a relationship with Turk and eventually marries. By the end of the original run, they had two children. However, at the end of season 8, she was absent from the show; it was explained that Carla wanted to take care of her children. Before the show, she appeared on Nothing Sacred, Oz, and more.
After Scrubs, Reyes continued appearing on television. She starred in Devious Maids and had roles in shows such as Jane the Virgin, Fresh Off the Boat, Blue Bloods, and Succession. She starred in Claws, One Day at a Time, and was a regular in High Potential. She also appeared in movies, including Smile, Our Little Secret, and more. Reyes guest-appeared in the revival as the head nurse, and now Carla is the mother of four children.
5. John C. McGinley (Dr. Perry Cox)
John C. McGinley played Dr. Perry Cox, an attending physician who became Chief of Medicine. His criticism and brutal honesty pushed J.D. to become a better doctor. His rapid-fire rants and tough-love mentorship became legendary among fans. McGinley had already built a strong career before joining the show, appearing in movies like Platoon, Wall Street, and Office Space.
After Scrubs, he continued acting in television series such as Chicago P.D., Brooklyn Nine‑Nine, and 2026’s Rooster in recurring roles. He starred in movies like 42, Battle of the Sexes, and more. He hosts the podcast Connective Tissue and interviewed co-star Braff in one episode. In the season 10 premiere episode, he resigned as Chief of Medicine, handing over the role to J.D. However, he will be staying in the reboot in recurring roles.
6. Neil Flynn (The Janitor)
Neil Flynn played the Janitor, the hospital’s custodian. His rivalry with J.D. became one of the show’s funniest running jokes. The character’s strange backstory and unpredictable humor made him one of the fan favorites. Before Scrubs, he starred in Rookie of the Year (1993), The Fugitive, and more.
After the show, Flynn starred as Mike Heck in the long-running sitcom The Middle, which ran for nine seasons. Known for his improvisational skills, Flynn continued appearing in television comedies and projects connected to Bill Lawrence, like Abby’s, Undateable, and Shrinking. He is also expected to make guest appearances in the revival.
7. Eliza Coupe (Denise “Jo” Mahoney)
Eliza Coupe played Denise Mahoney, an intern who joined the show in season 8. She is an outspoken, brutally honest intern who struggled with patient-doctor communications.
After the show, Eliza Coupe starred as Jane Kerkovich-Williams on Happy Endings. She had notable roles on House of Lies, Future Man, Pivoting, The Mindy Project, High Potential, The Residence, and more. In 2025, she voiced in Netflix’s animated show Haunted Hotel.
8. Kerry Bishé (Lucy Bennett)
Lucy Bennett was the new med student introduced in Scrubs‘ final season, season 9. As the protagonist, she took the narrative role.
Kerry Bishé has taken her career far beyond the hospital halls. She appeared in Argo. In 2014, she starred as Donna Clark on Halt and Catch Fire. Later, she also appeared on Narcos, Penny Dreadful: City of Angels, and Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber.
9. Michael Mosley (Drew Suffin)
Drew Suffin arrived in Season 9 as a med student at Winston University. His character offered a slightly edgier, younger counterpoint to J.D. He was in a relationship with Denise. Before the show, Mosley had earned several TV credits, such as Law & Order: SVU and Kidnapped.
Mosley has carved a niche as a reliable TV presence. He had recurring roles on Castle, Justified, 30 Rock, and more. He was in the main cast of Sirens, Ozark, and Seven Seconds. His other credits include The Sinners, The Missing, and more.
10. Dave Franco (Cole Aaronson)
Cole Aaronson, appearing in the final season, was the quintessential arrogant med student. After being diagnosed with skin cancer, he rethinks his life and specialises in surgery. Cole was in a relationship with Lucy. James Franco’s brother, Dave Franco, previously appeared in Greek and Privileged.
After the show, Franco became a Hollywood regular, known for comedic and dramatic roles alike. He starred in movies like 21 Jump Street, Neighbors, The Disaster Artist, Love Lies Bleeding, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, and more. In television, he starred in projects like Netflix’s Easy, Apple TV+’s The Afterparty, The Studio, and more.
Recurring Roles
Ken Jenkins played Dr. Bob Kelso, the grumpy, chain-smoking Chief of Medicine. Before the show, he had decades of acting credits, such as The Abyss (1989) and Psycho (1998). Jenkins later appeared in Cougar Town and Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Sam Lloyd played Ted Buckland, the perpetually sad lawyer and talented singer. Before the show, he starred in Back to the Future, Cougar Town, 3rd Rock From the Sun, and Spin City. After the show, he appeared in his co-star Flynn’s The Middle, Lawrence’s Dr. Ken, and Alex Inc. Lloyd sadly passed away in 2020 due to cancer.
Robert Maschio played The Todd, the overconfident surgeon known for his antics and s**ual innuendos. He also appeared in Lawrence’s other shows, like Cougar Town and Undateable. He starred in the erotic thriller Lethal Seduction. Maschio later became a realtor.
Aloma Wright played Laverne Roberts, a nurse with a caring heart. Her character met a tragedy in season 6 when she got into an accident, fell into a coma, and was later declared brain dead. Before Scrubs, she had acted in Power Rangers in Space, Ally McBeal, and more. Later, Wright appeared in Days of Our Lives and recurring roles on Private Practice, Suits, The Soul Man, Young Dylan, and more.
The cast of Scrubs has evolved significantly since the show first aired in 2001. Many of the actors built successful careers in movies, television, and voice acting, while still remaining closely connected to the series that made them famous. As the reboot continues, nostalgia for the show is stronger than ever.
Actor CharacterWhere Are They NowNotable WorksZach BraffJohn “J.D.” DorianActing, writing, directing, hosting Fake Doctors, Real Friends podcast, and main cast in Scrubs reboot.Garden State, Wish I Was Here, Ted Lasso (director)Donald FaisonChristopher TurkActing, voice work, TV appearances, and main cast in Scrubs reboot.The Exes, Pitch Perfect, TRON: UprisingSarah ChalkeElliot ReidActing on TV and streaming, voice acting, and main cast in Scrubs reboot.How I Met Your Mother, Friends From College, Firefly LaneJudy ReyesCarla EspinosaActing in recurring roles and lead roles, reunited with Scrubs co-stars in reboot.Devious Maids, High Potential, Jane the VirginJohn C. McGinleyDr. Perry CoxActing, podcast host, and a guest appearance in the rebootStan Against Evil, 42, Battle of the SexesNeil FlynnJanitorActing, recurring TV roles, confirmed to appear in the rebootThe Middle, Undateable, ShrinkingEliza CoupeDenise MahoneyActing, guest roles on TVHappy Endings, Future Man, PivotingKerry BishéLucy BennettActing on TV and streamingArgo, Halt and Catch Fire, Penny Dreadful: City of AngelsMichael MosleyDrew SuffinActing, recurring TV rolesCastle, Sirens, OzarkDave FrancoCole AaronsonActing in movies and TV21 Jump Street, Neighbors, The Disaster Artist, Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.Ken JenkinsDr. Bob KelsoRetired, occasional guest appearancesCougar Town, A Series of Unfortunate EventsSam LloydTed BucklandDeceased (2020)Cougar Town, 3rd Rock From the SunRobert MaschioTodd QuinlanActing, now a realtorCougar Town, Undateable, Lethal SeductionAloma Wright Laverne RobertsActing, recurring TV rolesDays of Our Lives, Private Practice, The Soul Man, Young Dylan
Which character is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts.
Are all original Scrubs cast members returning in the Reboot?
Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, Judy Reyes, and John C. McGinley reprise their roles, while Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso) is absent for now.
Which Scrubs recurring characters are back?
Christa Miller (Jordan Sullivan), Neil Flynn (The Janitor), and Robert Maschio (The Todd) return in guest or recurring roles.
Does the reboot continue the original storyline?
Yes. The tenth season picks up after season 8, ignoring the spin-off style ninth season, keeping the original canon intact.
Where can I watch the Scrubs reboot?
The new season airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 PM, with episodes available the next day on Hulu.
Scrubs is available to stream on Hulu (US).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
