ABC's 2026 Midseason Schedule: Scrubs, The Rookie, and More Premieres!

Get ready for a massive dose of your favorite shows as ABC rolls out its exciting 2026 midseason lineup, bringing back beloved dramas, comedies, and unscripted hits, plus a long-awaited sitcom revival!

TL;DR

The iconic medical comedy Scrubs is back with a revival on Feb. 25, featuring original cast members and new faces.
The Rookie Season 8 kicks off Jan. 6 with a globe-trotting premiere, while Will Trent Season 4 also returns Jan. 6.
The Bachelorette Season 22 premieres March 22 with new lead Taylor Frankie Paul, and American Idol Season 24 starts Jan. 26 with a Nashville twist.

ABC Unveils Its Blockbuster Midseason 2026 Programming

Hold onto your remotes, because ABC is coming in hot with an action-packed midseason schedule for 2026, and trust us, you're not going to want to miss a beat. The network is bringing back a slew of fan-favorite dramas and comedies, along with some seriously exciting unscripted shows. And the best part? All original programming will be available to stream the very next day on Hulu!

Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, summed it up perfectly: "Across ABC and its streaming home on Hulu, we have the best shows on television, from acclaimed dramas to standout comedies and unscripted hits. Our midseason schedule underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional storytelling and engaging content to audiences wherever they choose to watch."

"Across ABC and its streaming home on Hulu, we have the best shows on television, from acclaimed dramas to standout comedies and unscripted hits. Our midseason schedule underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional storytelling and engaging content to audiences wherever they choose to watch."

— Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group

The Sacred Heart Crew is Back: Details on the Highly Anticipated Scrubs Revival

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It's been over 15 years since we last saw J.D., Turk, and the gang roam the halls of Sacred Heart, but the wait is finally over! The much-anticipated Scrubs Revival is officially set to premiere with two back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, February 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This return is a huge deal for fans who've been clamoring for more of the beloved medical comedy.

The good news keeps coming: many of the original series stars are scrubbing back in! You can expect to see Zach Braff (J.D.), Donald Faison (Turk), Sarah Chalke (Elliott), Judy Reyes (Carla), and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) reprising their iconic roles. They'll be joined by a fresh batch of talent, including new cast members Vanessa Bayer and Joel Kim Booster, as well as new interns Ava Bunn as Serena, Jacob Dudman as Asher, David Gridley as Blake, Layla Mohammadi as Amara, and Amanda Morrow as Dashana.

Original series creator Bill Lawrence, who went on to huge success with hits like Ted Lasso, is returning as executive producer. Aseem Batra, who worked as a writer on the original run, will serve as the sole showrunner, taking the reins after Tim Hobert stepped down due to creative differences. This ensures the show remains in familiar hands while bringing a fresh perspective.

Zach Braff himself gave a little tease about what to expect from J.D., noting his character is "50 and has been beaten down by the system," adding that "It's very, very hard to be a doctor today." Sounds like our favorite neurotic intern has grown up, but probably hasn't lost his flair for elaborate fantasy sequences!

The Rookie Season 8 Kicks Off with an Exciting International Mission

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Get ready for some serious globe-trotting action! The Rookie Season 8 is set to premiere on Tuesday, January 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and it looks like John Nolan and the Mid-Wilshire Patrol Division are heading overseas. The new season promises to start with a bang, taking the team to Prague for what's described as a "global operation involving terrorist targets."

Actress Jenna Dewan, who plays Bailey Nune, spilled some exciting details, saying, "I'm really excited for the first episode because we go international. We have a very cool storyline that takes us into a new country. It felt like a film. The locations were gorgeous, and the action scenes were major. I do think The Rookie fans will be so happily fulfilled when they see this first episode because it's different for us and it's bigger for us. And I think it'll be really exciting." Nathan Fillion, our beloved John Nolan, also expressed his gratitude to fans for making Season 8 possible, acknowledging how challenging it is for a show to have such a long run.

Early promo clips confirm that Nolan, Bradford, and Chen will be involved in an entrapment attempt in the Czech Republic, likely tied to the elusive Monica from Season 7. While the premiere will focus heavily on this intense international case, showrunner Alexi Hawley has reassured fans that the much-anticipated resolution to Tim and Lucy's relationship cliffhanger will materialize later in the season. Plus, keep an eye out for news on the upcoming spinoff, The Rookie North, which is expected to begin filming in late winter or early spring.

Will Trent Season 4 Returns for More Gripping Investigations

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Detective Will Trent and his unique investigative skills are back! Will Trent Season 4 is slated for its premiere on Tuesday, January 6, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It will lead a powerful Tuesday night drama lineup, followed by the midseason return of High Potential (in a new 9 p.m. slot) and The Rookie Season 8.

Adding an extra layer of excitement, the Season 4 premiere episode was directed by none other than series star Ramón Rodríguez. Fans can anticipate more intriguing cases, character development, and the compelling storytelling that has made Will Trent a hit with audiences.

The Bachelorette Season 22 Shakes Up Sunday Nights with New Lead Taylor Frankie Paul

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Bachelor Nation, get ready for a change of pace! The Bachelorette is moving to a new night, kicking off its Season 22 premiere on Sunday, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This season promises to be a fresh take with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul stepping into the coveted role of the Bachelorette, looking for love.

Jesse Palmer will return to host, guiding Taylor through her journey to find her perfect match. The move to Sundays marks a significant shift for the long-running reality dating franchise, which has traditionally aired on Mondays or Tuesdays. It'll be exciting to see how this new schedule impacts the show and its loyal viewers.

American Idol Season 24 Brings Hollywood Week to Nashville

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America's favorite singing competition is back for its 24th season overall (and ninth on ABC)! American Idol Season 24 will premiere on Monday, January 26, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, settling into a new Monday night spot. Get ready for more incredible vocal performances and heartwarming stories of aspiring stars.

This season features a fascinating twist: "Hollywood Week" is relocating to Nashville for the first time ever, dubbed "Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover." This revamped format will condense the week into a single, intense round, promising the "biggest Hollywood Week cut in 'Idol' history." While the articles noted judges Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest hosting, it’s a surprise to see former winner Carrie Underwood listed as a judge. We'll be watching to see how this panel shapes up and whether this indicates a significant shake-up in the judging lineup or a special guest role.

More Fan Favorites and Exciting Returns to ABC's Midseason Slate

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Beyond the big headliners, ABC's midseason schedule is packed with the return of many other beloved series. Here’s a quick rundown of what else you can look forward to:

America's Funniest Home Videos (Season 36 Return): Sunday, January 4, 7 p.m. ET/PT
High Potential (Season 2 Midseason Return, new time): Tuesday, January 6, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Shifting Gears (Season 2 Midseason Return): Wednesday, January 7, 8 p.m. ET/PT
Abbott Elementary (Season 5 Midseason Return): Wednesday, January 7, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT
Shark Tank (Season 17 Midseason Return): Wednesday, January 7, 10 p.m. ET/PT
9-1-1 (Season 9 Midseason Return): Thursday, January 8, 8 p.m. ET/PT
9-1-1: Nashville (Season 1 Midseason Return): Thursday, January 8, 9 p.m. ET/PT
Grey's Anatomy (Season 22 Midseason Return): Thursday, January 8, 10 p.m. ET/PT
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Season 6 Midseason Return): Friday, January 9, 8 p.m. ET/PT
20/20 (Season 48 Midseason Return): Friday, January 9, 9 p.m. ET/PT
NBA Saturday Primetime (Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks): Saturday, January 24, 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT (following Inside the NBA at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)
Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars (Season 4 Premiere): Friday, February 27, 8 p.m. ET/PT

What About The Bachelor and New Drama RJ Decker?

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While the schedule is packed, a few notable shows are still waiting for their moment in the spotlight. Season 30 of The Bachelor has been pushed to a later, undetermined date after some behind-the-scenes shake-ups within the franchise, including new showrunner Scott Teti. The recently picked-up drama RJ Decker, starring Scott Speedman, is also expected to debut in 2026, though its exact premiere date is still to be announced.

It's clear that ABC is pulling out all the stops for its 2026 midseason, offering a rich blend of returning favorites and exciting new chapters. Mark your calendars, set your DVRs, or prepare your Hulu queue, because it's going to be a wild ride!

Frequently Asked Questions About ABC's 2026 Midseason Schedule

When does the Scrubs revival premiere?

The Scrubs revival will premiere with two episodes on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Where can I watch The Rookie Season 8 and other ABC shows?

All ABC original programming will air on ABC (check local listings for exact times) and will be available to stream the very next day on Hulu.

Which original cast members are returning for the Scrubs revival?

Zach Braff (J.D.), Donald Faison (Turk), Sarah Chalke (Elliott), Judy Reyes (Carla), and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox) are all confirmed to return for the Scrubs revival.