ABC Locks in Comedy Hits for 2026-27: ‘Scrubs’ and ‘Shifting Gears’ Renewed
ABC has officially solidified its comedy lineup for the 2026-27 season, renewing both the ‘Scrubs’ revival and the multi-camera sitcom ‘Shifting Gears’. These pickups come on the heels of strong ratings performances, leaving only one scripted series in the network’s current slate with an undecided fate.
The Return of ‘Scrubs’ and ‘Shifting Gears’
The ‘Scrubs’ revival will return for its second season—marking the 11th season of the franchise overall. The series successfully bridged a 16-year hiatus, bringing back original stars Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison. The revival also featured recurring or guest appearances from original cast members John C. McGinley, Judy Reyes, Christa Miller, Neil Flynn, Phill Lewis, and Robert Maschio.
Meanwhile, ‘Shifting Gears’, starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, has been renewed for a third season. The show, executive produced by Allen alongside a team including Michelle Nader and Marty Adelstein, has proven to be a linear powerhouse for the network.
Ratings Breakdown: Why These Shows Succeeded
Both comedies earned their renewals through impressive viewership numbers across linear and streaming platforms:
- ‘Scrubs’: The revival premiered to 9 million cross-platform viewers in its first seven days, eventually growing to 11 million viewers in Nielsen’s 35-day all-platform ratings. It also stood as ABC’s top comedy among adults 18-49 in linear ratings this season.
- ‘Shifting Gears’: This series was ABC’s most-watched comedy in linear ratings, averaging 5.4 million viewers with seven days of DVR playback. When including streaming, the audience increased to approximately 7 million viewers per episode.
The ‘Bubble’ and the Cutting Room Floor
While the comedies are safe, the drama slate is less certain. ‘R.J. Decker’, the freshman procedural starring Scott Speedman, remains “on the bubble.” While the series has performed solidly on Hulu, frequently appearing in the Daily Top 10, its linear ratings lag behind its Tuesday lead-ins, ‘Will Trent’ and ‘High Potential’. Renewal odds for the drama are currently considered 50-50.
In other news, ABC will not be moving forward with the comedy pilot ‘Do You Want Kids?’. Co-created by and starring Rachel Bloom and Dan Gregor, the pilot explored parallel universes based on the decision to have a child.
ABC’s 2026-27 Scripted Slate
With the latest pickups, ABC has renewed nearly all of its current scripted programming. The confirmed returns for next season include:
- Dramas: 911, 911: Nashville, Grey’s Anatomy, High Potential, The Rookie, and Will Trent.
- Comedies: Abbott Elementary, Scrubs, and Shifting Gears.
- ‘Scrubs’ Revival: Renewed for Season 2 (11th overall); 11 million total viewers in 35 days.
- ‘Shifting Gears’: Renewed for Season 3; ABC’s most-watched linear comedy.
- ‘R.J. Decker’: Still undecided; strong Hulu performance but weak linear ratings.
- ‘Do You Want Kids?’: Pilot not moving forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will ‘Scrubs’ bring back the original cast?
Yes. Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison return as series regulars, with other original cast members appearing in recurring or guest capacities.
When will ‘Shifting Gears’ return?
The show is locked for the 2026-27 season, following its second season which aired between October 2025 and February 2026.
Which ABC shows are still undecided?
Currently, only the freshman drama ‘R.J. Decker’ remains in limbo.