Summary

• Zach Braff envisions an older JD in a mentor role, yearning for his lost innocence and joy of youth in a potential Scrubs revival.
• JD's character arc aligns with Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence's plans to explore contemporary medical challenges with legacy characters.
• A Scrubs reboot has not yet been confirmed, but its odds are looking good.

With a Braff's JD led the series, following the wide-eyed and somewhat imaginative intern as he progressed into a fully-fledged doctor and learned harsh truths about the medical profession.

With Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence confident in a revival's chances, Braff, while promoting his Apple TV+ show Bad Monkey, opened up to Screen Rant about how he feels a new season could handle the character of JD. The actor stated that, at his older age, he feels JD may have found himself in the same position as his former mentor Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley), leading to part of him yearning for the spark and optimism he once had. Check out Braff's full response below:

Well, I think that... You know, JD is a grown a** man now, and so Scrubs would still have his imagination. But I think he's more in the Dr. Cox position these days. He's the senior doctor to the hospital.

I think it would be interesting to find him yearning for some of the innocence of his youth, and finding ways to sort of get back to the character that everyone fell in love with. To me, that would be interesting, seeing him having lost some of his joy, and going in search for finding some of the joy of his youth.

Zach Braff's JD Idea Fits Within Scrubs' Main Student-Mentor Dynamic

Dr. Cox Had An Incredible Impact On JD

With Lawrence stating that he hopes to explore today's medical challenges in a Scrubs revival with both new and legacy characters, Braff's hopes for JD's arc perfectly align with the creator's plans. Throughout Scrubs' original nine seasons, JD looked up to the incredibly cynical and deadpan Cox, despite his incredible derision and obvious lack of interest in being there. Still, the pair were able to develop one of the series' strongest bonds.

Cox recognizes the potential JD holds as a doctor from the get-go, imparting many lessons and helping him succeed as a doctor in whatever way he can, even as JD is left to take on the responsibility of mentoring a new generation of interns. As such, it wouldn't be hard to imagine JD basing his later career on Cox's with how close the pair were, even the harder elements that chip away at his inherent optimism. While McGinley's return for a Scrubs reboot isn't guaranteed, the character would undoubtedly be present through JD's character.

JD was the heart of Scrubs until season 9 shifted directions, providing insight into both the joys and pressures that the medical profession brings. Because of that, it may not be surprising to hear that, despite his imagination and optimism, his career has left its toll. The times have changed, and new challenges have emerged alongside potential innovations. However, it is clear that Braff is determined to make sure JD's idealism still remains, even if he may need help to recapture it.

Bad Monkey releases on Apple TV+ on August 14.