NBC has picked up the “Will & Grace” revival for a third season before its freshman installment has even come to a close — and increased its episode order for season 2.
The 18-episode third season (technically its 11th, but okay) is set to premiere in fall 2019, with stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally continuing to reprise their iconic roles when the series returns for its second season this fall.
That upcoming installment was initially ordered before the revival premiered in September 2017, but has now been expanded from 13 episodes to 18, as well.
“As far as I’m concerned, we can’t get enough of ‘Will & Grace’ and 23 more episodes is music to my ears,” NBC entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt said Saturday. “We’re eternally grateful that Debra, Eric, Sean and Megan feel the same way and wanted to keep this good thing going. I’m overwhelmed by the euphoric response the new show has received from the press and the audience, and my hat is off to the unrivaled writing team of Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, as well as the brilliant directing of Jimmy Burrows, for consistently delivering one of the best shows on television.”
The revival is currently averaging a 3.1 rating in the advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic and 9.8 million total viewers, according to live plus seven day data from Nielsen. The sitcom is the Peacock’s most-watched primetime comedy at this point in the season in the last eight years.
The first (technically, ninth) season of “Will & Grace” has featured guest stars like Jennifer Lopez, Alec Baldwin, Minnie Driver, Ben Platt, Molly Shannon, Jane Lynch and Andrew Rannells.
Mutchnick and Kohan, who co-created the series, are sticking with their writing and executive producing gigs for the upcoming seasons, with Burrows directing and executive producing as well. “Will & Grace” is produced by Universal Television.