‘Will & Grace’ Revival Is Official, Series Will Return to NBC in 2017
Will & Grace is the latest television show to get the revival treatment, despite star Debra Messing's best efforts to keep the news under wraps.
NBC made the announcement today (January 18) during the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The forthcoming revival will reportedly be comprised of ten episodes, and the show’s core cast — Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes — are all on board to revive their beloved roles. David Kohan and Max Mutchnick — the show’s original creators — have also signed on as part of the series revival to act as showrunners. Even James Burrows, who directed every Will & Grace episode, will be part of the ten-episode run.
“We’re thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest and most defining comedies in NBC history is coming back,” said Robert Greenblatt, NBC's Entertainment chairman. “This groundbreaking series for everything from gay rights to social and political commentary — all disguised as a high-speed train of witty pop culture — is coming back where it belongs.”
Jennifer Salke, the president of NBC Entertainment, commented on the forthcoming revival as well, saying, "We started talking with Mutchnick and Kohan about producing new episodes right after they shot the secret reunion show back in September, and the fact that all four of the original stars were excited about getting back into production is a testament to the joyful experience they had doing nearly 200 episodes for eight seasons. Few things cut through the clutter these days, especially in comedy, and Will and Grace is one of the best.”
Actor Leslie Jordan first let the news slip that the beloved sitcom would make a 2017 return to television, but Messing quickly refuted his claims on Twitter, writing, "Sadly Leslie was wrong. Nothing beyond talks."
But rumors of Will & Grace revival started long before Jones's on-air admission -- the series' core cast reunited for an election-themed clip back in 2016, sparking significant demand for a full series return.