SNL Vet John Higgins Scrubs In for Season 2
John Higgins Joins ‘Scrubs’ Revival: Everything You Need to Know About Season 2
The Big News: A New Face at Sacred Heart Hospital
EXCLUSIVE SCOOP: Scrubs is back for a second season, and it’s bringing in some fresh talent! Former Saturday Night Live writer and performer John Higgins has officially joined the cast of ABC’s Scrubs revival. He’ll play a major recurring character named Grant, the new Chief Resident.
IMPORTANT POINT: This is a big deal because Higgins comes from the popular comedy group Please Don’t Destroy (alongside Ben Marshall and Martin Herlihy), famous for their viral SNL sketches.
Who Is John Higgins? (ELI5 Version)
Think of John Higgins like that funny friend who writes jokes for a living, then decides to act in them too.
- SNL Veteran: He wrote and performed on Saturday Night Live as part of the trio Please Don’t Destroy
- Movie Star: Co-wrote and executive produced Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain (2023)
- New Focus: Left SNL last summer to concentrate on acting
- Upcoming Projects:
- Netflix film Bad Day (with Cameron Diaz!)
- Recurring role on Apple TV+’s Stick (with Owen Wilson)
Meet Grant: The New Chief Resident
What’s a Chief Resident?
In a hospital, a Chief Resident is like the "team captain" of the doctors-in-training. They’re senior doctors who supervise the younger ones.
Grant’s Role in the Show
- Position: New Chief Resident at Sacred Heart
- Dynamic: Designed to be a "thorn in J.D.’s side" — just like J.D. used to annoy Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) back in the day!
- Vibe: Expect hilarious mentor/mentee friction and power struggles
FUN PARALLEL: J.D. (Zach Braff) was once the annoying young doctor driving his boss crazy. Now he’s the boss dealing with his own annoying subordinate. Full circle!
Season 2 Casting Shake-Up: Who’s In, Who’s Out
NEW ADDITIONS
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| John Higgins | Grant | Chief Resident (Recurring) |
| Keyla Monterroso Mejia | Mimi | Surgical Nurse (Recurring) |
| Ava Bunn | Tosh | Intern → PROMOTED TO SERIES REGULAR |
NOT RETURNING FROM SEASON 1
| Actor | Character | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| X Mayo | Raymond | Nurse (Recurring) |
| Joel Kim Booster | Dr. Kevin Park | Scheming Attending / J.D.’s Rival |
The D23 Announcement: How We Found Out
Donald Faison (Turk) dropped the news at the "Scrubs: Scrubbing Back" panel at D23, moderated by Scott Foley (who’s also returning as Sean Kelly!).
Faison said:
"John Higgins joins the cast, it’s been a lot of fun to watch him work, actually him and Ava Bunn, who plays Tosh. They’ve been great additions."
The panel featured the core trio:
- Zach Braff (J.D.) — also Executive Producer
- Donald Faison (Turk) — also Executive Producer
- Sarah Chalke (Elliot) — also Executive Producer
- Aseem Batra — Showrunner/Executive Producer
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Team
- Original Creator: Bill Lawrence (Executive Producer via Doozer Productions)
- Showrunner: Aseem Batra
- Production Company: 20th Television (Disney Television Studios)
- Network: ABC
- Streaming: Next day on Hulu
Mark Your Calendars!
Season 2 Premiere Details
- Network Premiere: Wednesday, September 30 on ABC
- Streaming: Next day on Hulu
- Time Slot: Wednesdays (check local listings)
Quick Summary: What You Need to Remember
TL;DR SUMMARY
- John Higgins (Please Don’t Destroy/SNL) joins Scrubs Season 2 as Grant, the new Chief Resident
- He’ll clash with J.D. (mirroring J.D. vs. Dr. Cox from original series)
- Ava Bunn (Tosh) promoted to series regular
- Keyla Monterroso Mejia joins as nurse Mimi
- X Mayo & Joel Kim Booster not returning
- Premieres Sept 30 on ABC, next day on Hulu
- Original creator Bill Lawrence + stars Braff/Faison/Chalke all EPs
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
Is this a reboot or a continuation?
It’s a revival/continuation — same characters (J.D., Turk, Elliot), same hospital, just years later. The original creator Bill Lawrence is involved.
Do I need to watch the original Scrubs to understand this?
Helpful but not required! The revival introduces new characters (interns, residents) so new viewers have entry points. But knowing the J.D./Dr. Cox dynamic makes Grant’s role extra funny.
Who are Please Don’t Destroy?
A comedy trio (John Higgins, Ben Marshall, Martin Herlihy) famous for pre-taped SNL sketches — think absurd, surreal humor. They had a movie in 2023: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain.
Will other original cast members return?
So far confirmed: Scott Foley (Sean Kelly) returns. Others like Neil Flynn (Janitor), Judy Reyes (Carla), or Ken Jenkins (Dr. Kelso) haven’t been announced for Season 2 yet.
Where can I watch Season 1?
Season 1 of the revival aired on ABC and streams on Hulu. The original 9 seasons are also on Hulu.
Final Thoughts
Scrubs has always balanced goofy comedy with genuine heart. Adding John Higgins — a sketch comedy pro stepping into acting — feels like a perfect fit for the show’s unique tone. The "J.D. gets a taste of his own medicine" storyline with Grant promises delicious irony.
Set your DVRs for September 30!
Article based on exclusive reporting from Deadline. Natalie Sitek contributed to the original report.