After months of rumours and teasing, it’s finally been officially confirmed that Will & Grace will return for a new 10-episode series.
The beloved sitcom, which ran from 1998 to 2006, will return to the show’s network NBC with the show’s four main stars – Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes – all returning, the network announced.
“We’re thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest, and most defining comedies in NBC history is coming back,” NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement.
“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.”
Series creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan will return, and Mutchnick said in a statement: “Dave and I are absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to write what Will, Grace, Jack and Karen are thinking about in 2017.”
The show’s cast reunited last September to film a US election-themed skit that was released to YouTube.
“We started talking with Mutchnick and Kohan about producing new episodes right after they shot the secret reunion show back in September,” NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke confirmed in a statement.
“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.”
The new episodes are expected to screen during the 2017/2018 US TV season, between September this year and August next year.
The show’s stars celebrated the announcement with fans on their social media accounts.
IT’S OFFICIAL !!!🎉🎉THE GANG IS GETTING BACK TOGETHER on @NBC!! 🎉🎉https://t.co/sxP30wvCfn #WillandGrace
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) January 18, 2017
Hey…can I carpool with one of you guys to work? @DebraMessing @EricMcCormack @MeganOMullally #WillAndGrace pic.twitter.com/rQC7f2IIlk
— Sean Hayes (@SeanHayes) January 18, 2017
WE’RE BAACK…!! https://t.co/4mxoDt8yrc 🙌🏽🌈😽 pic.twitter.com/1sz2CgdWY4
— Megan Mullally (@MeganOMullally) January 18, 2017
OK- so I guess the word is out! Trending #1 on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you everyone for welcoming us w/biglove. pic.twitter.com/dpQ8JNqAlP
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) January 18, 2017
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