Scrubs Is Scrubbing Back In: Sacred Heart Comes to D23 2026

A Sacred Heart Reunion Lands on the D23 Schedule

D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event returns to Anaheim from August 14 through 16, 2026, and this year Sacred Heart Hospital has its own spot on the official schedule. On Saturday, August 15, from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m., fans can find “Scrubs: Scrubbing Back In” on the Backlot Stage at the Anaheim Convention Center.

D23 describes the session simply and warmly. “Celebrate the return to Sacred Heart with a conversation with the cast and executive producers of Scrubs featuring behind-the-scenes stories, fan-favorite moments, and a look at why the revival resonates today, daydreams and all.” For a show built on J.D.’s wild imagination, that closing line reads like a wink to longtime viewers.

Back at Sacred Heart After Sixteen Years

The panel arrives at a genuinely good moment for the show. Scrubs returned to ABC on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with a two episode premiere, then moved to Hulu the next day for streaming. It was the first new season of the series in sixteen years, counted as Season 10 of the show overall.

Series creator Bill Lawrence came back as an executive producer, working alongside showrunner Aseem Batra. The revival is produced by 20th Television, the studio banner tied to the original series. Nine episodes made up that first season order, and the story is told largely through J.D.’s point of view again, following a friendship that Sacred Heart never let go of. As ABC put it in its own description, medicine has changed and the interns have changed, but the bromance at the center of it all has held up.

Familiar Faces, and a New Class of Interns

Zach Braff returned as J.D., Donald Faison came back as Turk, and Sarah Chalke reprised Elliot, the trio whose chemistry carried the original series across eight seasons. Judy Reyes returned as Carla, John C. McGinley came back as Dr. Cox, and Robert Maschio and Phill Lewis reprised The Todd and Hooch.

The revival also welcomed new characters into Sacred Heart’s halls. Vanessa Bayer joined as wellness program director Sibby, and Joel Kim Booster joined as attending physician Dr. Eric Park. A new class of interns, played by Ava Bunn, Jacob Dudman, David Gridley, Layla Mohammadi and Amanda Morrow, gave the show fresh eyes on the hospital, while Michael James Scott and X Mayo stepped in as co-charge nurses.

A Warm Welcome Back, and a Second Season Already Locked In

Audiences responded quickly once the revival hit the air. Scrubs debuted as ABC’s top series in the advertiser-friendly adults 18-49 demographic, and reviews backed up the ratings. Critics gave the season a 90 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes, and fans rated it even higher at 95 percent.

The strong reception paid off fast. On April 30, 2026, ABC renewed Scrubs for a second season, its eleventh overall counting the original run. Bill Lawrence had said he felt “really hopeful” about a renewal not long after the premiere, and the network agreed within weeks. No premiere date or episode count for the new season has been announced yet, which leaves plenty for the D23 panel to touch on.

What to Expect on the Backlot Stage

D23’s programming description promises a real conversation rather than a simple highlight reel. Cast members and executive producers are set to share behind-the-scenes stories and revisit fan-favorite moments from the first season, along with thoughts on why a show about young doctors growing older still connects with audiences today.

The appearance is also a reminder of how far Disney’s television footprint reaches beyond its parks and franchises. Scrubs airs on ABC, one of Disney’s broadcast networks, and streams on Hulu, so the Backlot Stage conversation fits comfortably alongside the rest of D23’s entertainment programming this weekend.

Why It Matters for Fans in Anaheim

For fans making their way through the Anaheim Convention Center this weekend, “Scrubs: Scrubbing Back In” offers a chance to hear directly from the people who brought Sacred Heart back to life. The panel lands on Saturday afternoon, right in the middle of D23’s biggest programming day, and it arrives with the show already renewed and already loved by both critics and longtime viewers.

Sixteen years is a long time to wait for a reunion. Judging by the ratings, the reviews and now the renewal, it sounds like the wait was worth it, and D23 gives fans a front row seat to hear the cast and producers talk about it in their own words.

This is part of our coverage of TV and Streaming at D23 2026.

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