Paging Sacred Heart! Our Top 5 Scrubs Reboot Predictions

Like many a disenchanted Millennial, I am excited for the Scrubs reboot. Scrubs (2001-2010) is returning to our screens after 16 years. The reboot’s official tagline promises “…some surprises along the way.” Many fans (such as myself) have wondered just what these surprises will be. Here are my Top 5 Predictions for the reboot.

5. The Janitor and Kelso will make cameos.

With the majority of the original core cast signed on for the reboot, there are still two notable characters missing. Namely; The Janitor played by Neil Flynn, and the original Chief of Medicine; Dr Bob Kelso played by Ken Jenkins. Neither has officially stated their involvement in the revival (nor have they officially declined). Jenkins is currently 85 years old and hasn’t had an acting credit since 2019, so he may be retired. But perhaps he has been coaxed out of retirement to bring back such a well-loved character for a short time?

In the Scrubs world Dr Kelso is retired, so they may cut to a scene of him enjoying his Bahama Mama cocktails on the aforementioned island whilst wearing an appropriately gawdy tropical-themed shirt.

OR

To make it a bit darker, perhaps dear Kelso is no longer with us (in the Scrubs universe). Maybe the spirit of Kelso appears to one or more members of the cast in a dream to dole out some ghostly advice during a pivotal moment in the new series.

OR

Main character John ‘JD’ Dorian (Zach Braff) imagines Kelso haunting the hospital in a daydream. Kelso is making ghostly sarcastic comments during rounds, tripping up interns, and stealing people’s muffins!

What kind of cameo would a character as enigmatic as The Janitor have? For my money, I’d go meta and make the janitor a Hollywood actor now. In the original series, we know that Neil Flynn’s role in 1993’s The Fugitive actually happened, so The Janitor has been in a movie. Maybe he has returned to acting (starring in a sitcom mayhap?). To up the irony, Glen Matthews (?) could appear in a paid-for Cameo Appearance wishing one of the interns or residents a happy birthday or the like.

OR

Reboot JD will be convinced that he is still being stalked by The Janitor. JD is plagued with damaged property and bizarre pranks with no known perpetrators. JD thinks he sees The Janitor (or his van) out of the corner of his eye. Maybe a mop cunningly placed for the doctor to find! JD’s paranoia is not vindicated until the finale when The Janitor reveals himself in a fittingly ostentatious manner.

4. The main casts children will be recurring characters.

Many fans will want to see what became of Jack and Jennifer Dylan Cox, Sam Dorian, and Isabella ‘Izzy’ Turk. In terms of character popularity, I would bet Jack Cox will play a major role. In the original series, we watched Dr. Cox’s eldest grow up. Now, Jack would be around 21 years old; too young to be an intern, but maybe a very young medical student? Or a volunteer at Sacred Heart? Jack could be the opposite of his father: sensitive, quiet, or ‘girly’. Perhaps young Cox has a difficult relationship with his father and gravitates towards someone like JD? It would be interesting to see how Dr. Cox would relate to his own flesh and blood son. The storyline could be hilarious and heartbreaking (we know McGinley has the acting chops!). Also, everyone wants to see a Cox/Sullivan dinner table scene!

3. JD will be returning from a job or trip abroad.

JD seems to no longer be the Residency Director for another hospital (it has been 16 years). Now, I predict; Dr Dorian is returning from years abroad, perhaps working for Doctors Without Borders or maybe a research project. He will be returning as a locum doctor in favour of someone (maybe Turk?).

As shown in the teaser trailers, JD’s being back has the added benefit of him being a conduit for the audience. Along with JD, we are dropped into this new world with some characters and settings we recognise.

As the series tagline states, the world of American medicine has changed drastically since the show’s original run. JD, trying to grapple with this new landscape, feels comfortingly familiar. We followed JD through Sacred Heart as an intern, and now we follow him again for his return.

2. JD and Elliot will be broken up.

This has been the cause of much speculation on the (still very active) Scrubs subreddit. Are JD and Elliot still together in the reboot? Fans noticed that the pair aren’t wearing wedding rings. Yes, they are both doctors, but Turk (who is presumably still a surgeon) is still wearing his ring.

Like a lot of 00’s sitcom couples, JD and Elliot were on again, off again…and again. Unsurprisingly, many fans are disappointed that this contentious couple, whom they followed for the 8 years of their tortured courtship, is now kaput.

Creator Bill Lawrence has already stated that he always wanted Season 9 to be treated as a spin-off, not canon. Soooo, in the reboot, JD and Elliot might not be married or have a child together as was shown in Season 8. Braff has stated that the images of the cast’s future projected in the finale were not necessarily what happened but “what he hopes and wishes will happen to him.” (CinemaBlend, 2026)

Soooo, anything could have happened to the Sacred Heart gang, including yet another breakup for Dr. Dorian and Dr. Reid. Though, as one fan pointed out, they’ve done the whole will they?/won’t they? Thing. The couple needs to be solid or done. Some fans have floated the idea that the couple has an untraditional relationship (hence no rings).

It should also be noted that Bill Lawerence apparently confirmed on X that the couple are still together. Whatever the outcome, as a viewer, it is exciting to speculate. Speaking of which…

1. The show will be even more diverse.

In my humble opinion, the original Scrubs did not get the accolades it deserved for being such a diverse show at the time. The main castis made up of people of different races and different ages. However, Scrubs has come under some criticism for its lack of LGBTQA+ representation. I predict that the reboot will include main characters of different sexualities or perhaps even genders. Braff has already stated that he thinks “…this young, very diverse group of writers will help us crack that case” (People, 2025).

Scrubs never did shy away from hot-button topics such as the Iraq War, criticism of American healthcare, and euthanasia. I predict the reboot will tackle some hard topics. Whether that is the effects of the pandemic on the medical community or even America’s divisive political climate. It would also be interesting to see the Scrubs universe explore mental health problems or perhaps neurodivergence. Maybe one of the cast are seeking a diagnosis? Maybe JD’s daydreaming is a symptom of something? Too Far?

There you have it! My Top 5 Predictions to get us hyped for the upcoming reboot! What are yours? Scrubs Season 10 will air on ABC, Hulu, and Disney+ on February 25th, 2026.