NBC officially greenlights favorite 90s’ TV show “Will and Grace” revival

PanARMENIAN.Net - Another favorite 1990s-2000s TV show is coming back. NBC has ordered a new 10-episode limited installment of "Will & Grace", reportedly after months of complex and difficult negotiations. NBC Entertainment president Jennifer Salke made the announcement during the network's TCA presentation on Wednesday, January 18.

"We're thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest, and most defining comedies in NBC history is coming back," NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said in a statement. "This groundbreaking series for everything from gay rights to social and political commentary - all disguised as a high-speed train of witty pop culture - is coming back where it belongs."

The show will bring back the main cast, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally, with series creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan serving as showrunners and executive producers for the revival. James Burrows, who directed all episodes in the original eight-season run of the series, will direct and executive produce the revival.

"Dave and I are absolutely thrilled about the opportunity to write what Will, Grace, Jack and Karen are thinking about in 2017," said Mutchnick.

McCormack, Messing, Hayes and Mullally recently reunited for a 2016 presidential election PSA. Salke revealed that talks about the revival started right after they shot the PSA. "We started talking with Mutchnick and Kohan about producing new episodes right after they shot the secret reunion show back in September, and the fact that all four of the original stars were excited about getting back into production is a testament to the joyful experience they had doing nearly 200 episodes for eight seasons," Salke said. "Few things cut through the clutter these days, especially in comedy, and 'Will and Grace' is one of the best."

"Will & Grace", which ran from 1998 until 2006, follows the relationship between best friends Will Truman (McCormack), a gay lawyer, and Grace Adler (Messing), a straight interior designer. Hayes and Mullally star as their friends Jack and Karen. The show is credited with paving the way for LGBT characters on TV and became a staple on NBC despite initial criticism for its particular portrayal of homosexual characters.

According to Deadline, the revival will be treated as a ninth season and pick up a decade after the 2006 finale. No official premiere date is announced for the new installment, but it's expected to air during the 2017-2018 season.