NBC is officially bringing back “Will & Grace” for a 10-episode limited run next season, the broadcaster revealed Wednesday during the Television Critics Association press event.
Emmy winners Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally are all back for the 2017-2018 run, and original series creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan will act as showrunners and executive producers. James Burrows, who directed every episode of the show during its initial eight-year run, is set to direct and executive produce. Universal Television will produce and distribute the new episodes.
“We’re thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest, and most defining comedies in NBC history is coming back,” said NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt. “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, President of NBC Entertainment, added: “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.”
“Dave and I are absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to write what Will, Grace, Jack and Karen are thinking about in 2017,” Mutchnick said.
A “Will & Grace” revival has been rumored since the foursome reunited months back in a video supporting then-presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. It took a little while for the comeback to come around, but NBC eventually got their men — and women.
The original 2006 series finale scored more than 18 million viewers. Overall, the show was nominated for 83 Emmy Awards, winning 16 of them, including Outstanding Comedy Series.