Scrubs Cast Reflects on Their First Run-Through and the Surprising Moments of Their Revival
The highly anticipated revival of Scrubs is set to premiere on February 25 on ABC, reuniting fans with beloved characters J.D. and Turk, portrayed by Zach Braff and Donald Faison, respectively. The series promises to capture the humor and heart of the original, featuring classic antics like J.D. and Turk’s iconic Eagle stunt. However, recreating the Eagle proved challenging, as demonstrated in the trailer, where Turk collapsed after attempting the move with J.D. on his back.
Faison described the mishap: “The stuntman broke his face open pretty much,” referring to the scene that utilized stunt doubles. Braff added, “We only did one take of it, and that’s what you’re seeing because he fell so hard onto the floor and cut his eye. We have our onset doctor, who’s our consultant, he took one look at and he’s like, ‘Yeah, you need a stitch.’ And we’re like, ‘All right, Take One it is.’”
Despite the incident, Faison was quick to assert, “I can still Eagle. I’m still very strong,” with Braff humorously interjecting, “Yeah, Donald wants the world to know that he, Donald, can indeed carry a 165-pound man but Turk can’t.” Their banter reflected the enduring chemistry between the characters, who, years after the original series finale, still embody a sense of youthful playfulness.
“In real life we are manchildren, let’s be honest,” Faison joked, “But I do have to parent my kids.” Braff clarified that, while the characters maintain their silliness, their growth is evident. “One of the mandates from [Scrubs creator] Bill [Lawrence] and myself was, we don’t want them to be children. Obviously, silly guys, but when things get serious, they drop in and they’re adults,” he explained.
Notably, the revival is not filmed at the original Los Angeles hospital. Instead, the series is produced in Vancouver, where the hospital setting was meticulously recreated on soundstages. “I never thought it would be 100% accurate or to scale; I thought it would be like 65% to scale,” Braff remarked. He praised the production team for their efforts, noting, “It’s over 30,000 square feet. It is pretty much every place we shot in the old abandoned hospital recreated on stage.”
Sarah Chalke, who reprises her role as Elliot, shared her excitement, stating, “It’s such a trip. And they actually got to do the old hospital; it’s identical but make it better.” She noted how the new set design allows for more creative filming possibilities, enhancing the nostalgic experience.
Faison humorously added, “It took all of nine weeks not to get lost on the set.” Despite the long gap since the original series, the cast found it easy to slip back into their roles.
“It was like riding a bike,” John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Cox, said. He recalled the energy during a read-through with ABC-Disney executives, describing it as “exciting as an off-off-Broadway opening night.” The enthusiasm in the room reaffirmed their connection to the material.
Judy Reyes, who portrays Carla, expressed the importance of strong writing, noting how the cast reacted positively to the scripts. “The moment we start to speak, we laugh at each other and things that we thought we would laugh at,” she said, evoking memories of the past and the camaraderie they share.
Scrubs is set to make its return on February 25, bringing both nostalgia and new stories to the screen. Below is the trailer.
