‘Scrubs’ Star John C. McGinley Teases Major Turning Point in Revival [Exclusive]

The great balancing act that is Scrubs returns with a true-to-form revival, premiering February 25 on ABC, courtesy of original show creator Bill Lawrence. The nine-episode run is sure to make audiences laugh. In keeping with previous seasons, Season 10 will also unpack universal themes, like the dilemma faced by the curmudgeonly Dr. Cox. As star John C. McGinley puts it: “When do you know you’re done?”

While speaking with MovieWeb ahead of the revival’s release, McGinley spilled the beans on where Dr. Cox’s head is at in the revival:

John C. McGinley: “I think the number one thing that we see that Cox has learned in this episode is that he’s done. That’s a big deal to know that.”

Judy Reyes: “And a huge reality to tackle in this day and age. We see it with you.”

John C. McGinley: “LeBron [James] played his last game in Cleveland last night, and the big question is, is this the last time you’ll ever be in Cleveland? And he gave a very vague answer. When do you know you’re done? I’m not LeBron, but the character of Cox. When do you know you’re done? It’s hard. We all want to be interesting and engaged. And you’re on a clock.”

The real question is: how will the rest of the cast respond to their teacher leaving them to carry on his lessons without him? Another scary thought: just what will a stern guy like Dr. Cox do in retirement? To fans’ knowledge, Dr. Cox’s entire life revolves around Sacred Heart and his patients, so how does someone like that move into a new phase of life?

‘Scrubs’ Has Always Had a Big Heart

Scrubs has always and will hopefully continue to be first and foremost about the complexities of the human experience, not just in health care, but in life in general. As audiences reconnect with the beloved cast of characters later in their life, they will watch them navigate the dilemma every professional has to face in their career: when to quit. There’s no doubt that watching Dr. Cox make this decision for himself will bring a tear to fans’ eyes, but you can also bet on a laugh being not too far behind. The revival is already being well-received by critics, which is no surprise to fans of the original, as nearly the whole heart of the show (save for the late “soul” of the show, Sam Lloyd), is returning.