Get ready for an epic start to 2026! ABC just dropped its full midseason schedule, bringing back fan favorites like The Rookie and Will Trent, plus the highly anticipated Scrubs Revival. We've got all the dates and exciting details you need!
TL;DR- The iconic Scrubs revival, featuring Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke, kicks off its new season with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, February 25.
- Fan-favorite dramas Will Trent (Season 4) and The Rookie (Season 8) return for action-packed new seasons on Tuesday, January 6, with The Rookie squad even heading overseas!
- Popular unscripted hits like American Idol (Season 24) and The Bachelorette (Season 22 with Taylor Frankie Paul) are also back, alongside a stacked lineup of returning comedies and dramas.
Get ready for ABC's massive 2026 midseason! Find out when 'Scrubs' is back with Zach Braff, 'Will Trent' Season 4, 'The Rookie' Season 8, 'American Idol,' and all your favorite dramas and comedies premiere on ABC and stream on Hulu.
Your Favorite Shows Are About to Make a Grand Return
Hold onto your remotes, folks! ABC is not messing around with its 2026 midseason schedule. We're looking at a jam-packed lineup of returning hits and the comeback of a beloved medical comedy that many of us thought we'd never see again. The network's President of Disney Television Group, Craig Erwich, made it clear, stating, "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." And we couldn't agree more!
All original programming, by the way, will be available to stream on Hulu the very next day after its linear premiere. So, if you can't catch it live, you're still good to go!
Get ready for an epic 2026! ABC unveils its midseason lineup featuring the highly anticipated 'Scrubs' revival, 'The Rookie' Season 8, 'Will Trent' Season 4, and 'The Bachelorette' with Taylor Frankie Paul. Discover all the premiere dates and what to expect from your favorite returning shows.
The Sacred Heart Crew Scrubs Back In for More Laughter
The moment we've all been waiting for is almost here! The Scrubs revival is officially set to hit our screens with a two-episode premiere on Wednesday, February 25, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. This isn't just a quick reunion; it's a full-on return for Season 10 of the medical comedy, and many of the original stars are coming back to Sacred Heart Hospital.
"JD and Turk scrub in together for the first time in a long time: Medicine has changed; interns have changed; but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart, and some surprises along the way."
— ABC on the new season of Scrubs
Who's Returning to Sacred Heart and Who's New?
Get ready to say "Eaaaaaagle!" because the gang's mostly all here! Zach Braff (J.D.), Donald Faison (Turk), and Sarah Chalke (Elliott) are leading the charge. They'll be joined by other fan favorites like Judy Reyes (Carla), John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox), Robert Maschio (Todd), and Phill Lewis (Hooch). It's going to be like a big, hilarious family reunion!
But it's not just the familiar faces. Season 10 will also introduce a new crop of interns and doctors to Sacred Heart:
- Vanessa Bayer as Sibby
- Joel Kim Booster as Dr. Eric Park
- Ava Bunn as Serena
- Jacob Dudman as Asher
- David Gridley as Blake
- Layla Mohammadi as Amara
- Amanda Morrow as Dashana
Original creator Bill Lawrence, known for his work on hits like Ted Lasso and Shrinking, is back as an executive producer, with Aseem Batra stepping in as showrunner. Zach Braff has even hinted that this new season will show a "hardened, wizened J.D. who is 50 and has been beaten down by the system," reflecting the current realities of being a doctor. Sounds like a perfect blend of humor and heart, just what we love about Scrubs!
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The Rookie Squad Goes Global, While Will Trent Unravels Family Secrets
Tuesday nights are about to get seriously intense! Both Will Trent Season 4 and The Rookie Season 8 will premiere on Tuesday, January 6. And trust us, you won't want to miss a second.
The Rookie's Epic International Adventure
Officer John Nolan (Nathan Fillion) and the crew are starting Season 8 with a bang – not in Los Angeles, but in Prague, Czech Republic! Showrunner Alexi Hawley revealed this ambitious plan at San Diego Comic Con, stating, "When I first said, hey, I want to go to Prague for season eight, I got some looks, because that's not a normal network television thing to do. But I'm like we can absorb it, because we've gotten really good at making the show." Nathan Fillion himself compared the experience to "making Casino Royale." Jenna Dewan, who plays Nolan's wife Bailey Nune, was also spotted in Prague, and whispers suggest the return of series antagonist Monica Stevens might be behind this overseas trip. Get ready for some thrilling international intrigue when The Rookie Season 8 premieres at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Will Trent's Personal Revelations and New Beginnings
Meanwhile, over on Will Trent, Season 4 promises to pick up right after those major cliffhangers. Angie found out she's pregnant, and Amanda was in the hospital. Plus, Will just discovered that Sheriff Caleb Roussard is his biological father! Talk about a lot to unpack. Series star Ramón Rodríguez, who actually directed the premiere episode, hinted at what's to come in an interview, saying, "There's just so many questions that we will get to explore – I mean, is there new love in Will's life?" Find out when Will Trent Season 4 premieres at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
Right between these two heavy-hitting dramas is High Potential, which returns for the second part of its second season at a new time slot of 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. It's perfectly sandwiched to keep your Tuesday nights glued to ABC.
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A Full Rundown of ABC's Midseason Premiere Dates
Here’s your complete guide to when all your favorite ABC shows (and some new ones!) are returning or premiering. Mark your calendars!
January Kickoff
- Sunday, Jan. 4, 7:00 p.m. ET/PT: America's Funniest Home Videos (Season 36 Return)
- Tuesday, Jan. 6, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: Will Trent (Season 4 Premiere)
- Tuesday, Jan. 6, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT: High Potential (Season 2 Midseason Return, new time slot)
- Tuesday, Jan. 6, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT: The Rookie (Season 8 Premiere)
- Wednesday, Jan. 7, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: Shifting Gears (Season 2 Midseason Return)
- Wednesday, Jan. 7, 8:30 p.m. ET/PT: Abbott Elementary (Season 5 Midseason Return)
- Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT: Shark Tank (Season 17 Midseason Return)
- Thursday, Jan. 8, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: 9-1-1 (Season 9 Midseason Return)
- Thursday, Jan. 8, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT: 9-1-1: Nashville (Season 1 Midseason Return)
- Thursday, Jan. 8, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT: Grey's Anatomy (Season 22 Midseason Return)
- Friday, Jan. 9, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Season 6 Midseason Return)
- Friday, Jan. 9, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT: 20/20 (Season 48 Midseason Return)
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT: Inside the NBA
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks (NBA Saturday Primetime)
- Monday, Jan. 26, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: American Idol (Season 24 Premiere)
February and March Arrivals
- Wednesday, Feb. 25, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: Scrubs (Two-Episode Series Premiere for its new season)
- Friday, Feb. 27, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars (Season 4 Premiere)
- Sunday, Mar. 22, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT: The Bachelorette (Season 22 Premiere)
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Unscripted Favorites: Idol, Bachelorette, and More!
Beyond the dramas and comedies, ABC's unscripted lineup is also delivering some exciting changes. American Idol kicks off its 24th season (its ninth on ABC!) on Monday, January 26, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. This season, they're shaking things up by moving Hollywood Week to Nashville for "Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover," promising "the biggest Hollywood Week cut in 'Idol' history." The judging panel for this season is noted as including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie, with Ryan Seacrest hosting.
If you're into game shows, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is back on Friday, January 9, and Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars (Season 4), hosted by Ken Jennings, takes over that Friday 8:00 p.m. slot starting February 27 after Celebrity Wheel of Fortune wraps up its sixth season.
And for Bachelor Nation fans, get ready! The Bachelorette Season 22, starring "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Taylor Frankie Paul, is moving to a new night, Sundays, and will premiere on March 22 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, with Jesse Palmer returning to host. Looks like a shake-up within the franchise led to The Bachelor being pushed back, making way for a spring Bachelorette.
What About 'RJ Decker'?
For those wondering about the new drama RJ Decker, starring Scott Speedman, it was picked up to series and is still expected to debut in 2026. However, an exact premiere date has not yet been announced. Also, keep an eye out for ABC to fill that TBD 9 p.m. Wednesday slot after Abbott Elementary and before Shark Tank starting in January!
FAQ: All Your Burning Questions About ABC's Midseason Schedule
- ABC Sets Midseason Schedule: Scrubs Revival, The Rookie And Will Trent Return Dates Revealed
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- Midseason 2026 TV Schedule: Full List of Network Premiere & Return Dates
- Scrubs Revival Gets a Release Date
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