New Jersey’s own Zach Braff is back in scrubs — and for Garden State fans, this is more than a reboot. It is a homecoming.

The South Orange and Maplewood native, who first became a household name as John “J.D.” Dorian on the original Scrubs, is leading a full-scale revival of the beloved medical comedy. And this time, New Jersey is not just watching. It is part of the story.

The revival premieres Wednesday, February 25 with two back-to-back episodes on ABC, streams next day on Hulu, and — in a first-of-its-kind move — will stream live on Sunset with a dedicated 24/7 Scrubs channel on Sunset’s standalone Hulu Sunset platform at Sunset-TV. That channel will run every episode consecutively around the clock, giving fans constant access to one of television’s most enduring comfort shows.

For Explore New Jersey readers who follow our expanding Film & TV coverage, this revival represents a powerful intersection of nostalgia, innovation, and Garden State pride.

I’ve been on the original Scrubs set. I was actually there when the show was being taped many times. I even attended one of the holiday parties during its run.

Now Jersey native Zach Braff is officially back as J.D. in a new Scrubs revival, premiering Wednesday, February 25 with two episodes on ABC. It will stream the next day on Hulu. On top of that, it will stream live on Sunset, and there will be a dedicated 24/7 Scrubs channel on Sunset-TV running every episode consecutively.

“A Warm Hug” Returns at the Right Time

“I think Scrubs is kind of like a warm hug for people,” Braff recently said, reflecting on the show’s legacy.

Few series managed to balance absurdist fantasy, sharp single-camera comedy, and deeply human drama the way Scrubs did across nine seasons. Premiering in the shadow of September 11, 2001, the series became a cultural anchor — blending levity with emotional realism at a time when audiences needed it most.

Now, in what Braff calls “topsy-turvy” times, the tone feels newly relevant.

The revival reunites Braff with longtime co-star Donald Faison, who reprises his role as Christopher Turk. Their on-screen friendship as J.D. and Turk remains one of television’s most iconic bromances — equal parts ridiculous and heartfelt.

A Jersey Story at Its Core

Braff’s connection to New Jersey has always been central to his creative identity. Before directing his breakout film Garden State, he honed his craft in Essex County schools. His collaboration with John C. McGinley — who grew up in Short Hills — adds another layer of local pride.

McGinley returns as Perry Cox, the sharp-tongued chief of medicine whose brutal mentorship defined much of the original series’ emotional arc.

Braff has promised New Jersey fans that McGinley’s presence will expand as the season unfolds.

For longtime viewers in Essex County and beyond, that reunion carries weight.

Streaming Reinvented: Sunset’s 24/7 Scrubs Channel

In a major distribution development, the Scrubs revival will not only stream on Hulu but also live on Sunset, accompanied by a dedicated standalone Scrubs channel on Hulu Sunset at Sunset-TV.

This channel will run every episode — original and revival — consecutively and continuously, 24 hours a day.

In an era of fragmented viewing, the always-on format taps directly into Scrubs’ status as a comfort series. Whether viewers want to revisit classic J.D. fantasy sequences at midnight or binge revival episodes on a Sunday afternoon, the content remains perpetually accessible.

For New Jersey’s growing production and streaming footprint, the partnership underscores how the state’s creative influence extends beyond filming locations into platform innovation.

The Revival: Where Sacred Heart Meets 2026

The revival begins with J.D. working as a concierge physician serving high-end patients before circumstances pull him back to Sacred Heart Hospital.

Turk senses his return instinctively — sliding out of surgery for an ecstatic reunion that reminds audiences why their chemistry became television canon.

Sarah Chalke returns as Elliot Reid, now married to J.D., and joins Braff and Faison as an executive producer. Judy Reyes reprises her role as Carla Espinosa. Neil Flynn returns as Janitor. Familiar faces including Todd Quinlan and Hooch reappear, recontextualized for modern sensibilities.

New additions address the evolving landscape of medicine in 2026: social media influence, crushing pharmaceutical costs, HR oversight, and generational workplace tension. Vanessa Bayer joins as a wellness-focused HR manager keeping once-unchecked behavior in line.

The tonal blueprint remains unmistakably Scrubs — bittersweet humor grounded in real-world healthcare dilemmas.

Bill Lawrence’s Influence and Creative Evolution

Series creator Bill Lawrence returns as executive producer, balancing his Warner Bros. commitments with oversight of the revival. His distinctive tonal blend — visible in hits like Ted Lasso — continues shaping the DNA of Scrubs.

Braff, who directed the revival’s premiere episode titled “My Return,” draws on years of collaborative growth with Faison, including their rewatch podcast Fake Doctors, Real Friends. That unscripted improvisation experience sharpened their comedic timing and deepened their on-screen instincts.

The result is a revival that feels less like a cash-in and more like a recalibration.

Cultural Timing and Audience Demand

The Scrubs revival arrives after nearly 16 years off-air. Yet the show never truly disappeared. Streaming re-discovery, commercial collaborations, and podcast engagement kept the fanbase active.

Braff has acknowledged that conversations about revisiting the series circulated for years — from potential Hulu movies to limited series concepts. Once corporate logistics aligned between Disney and Warner Bros., the revival became real.

Its return to primetime ABC adds another layer of nostalgia.

For New Jersey audiences, this moment blends personal pride with national cultural resonance.

Why This Matters for New Jersey’s Film & TV Landscape

New Jersey’s film and television resurgence has accelerated in recent years, fueled by tax incentives, infrastructure investment, and creative talent with deep state roots.

Braff’s revival adds a symbolic layer to that resurgence. A Jersey-raised actor reclaims one of television’s defining series, expands its streaming footprint, and delivers it through innovative platform distribution that includes Sunset.

It reinforces the state’s role not merely as a filming backdrop but as a source of creative leadership.

The Hug Returns

Scrubs always balanced irreverence with vulnerability. Its cutaway fantasies never obscured its emotional core. J.D.’s journey from insecure intern to confident physician mirrored the growth of an entire generation of viewers.

Now, that generation — many of whom grew up in New Jersey watching from dorm rooms, apartments, and childhood living rooms — can return to Sacred Heart.

Two premiere episodes air Wednesday at 8 PM on ABC. The series streams next day on Hulu. And for those who want uninterrupted nostalgia, the 24/7 Scrubs channel awaits on Sunset-TV.

For New Jersey, this is not just a revival.

It is a full-circle moment.