It’s time to warm up those vocal cords and dig out the slushie-proof clothing, because ‘Glee‘ is officially making a comeback! Disney+ and Hulu have handed a series order to a reboot of the hit musical comedy-drama, with original co-creator Ryan Murphy back in the picture.
The revival has been gathering momentum for months, but this is the first time the project has moved beyond Murphy talking about the idea and into an actual series order. The show comes from 20th Television, which also produced the original, although Disney has yet to reveal a storyline, episode count, filming schedule or cast.
For anyone who somehow missed the original phenomenon, ‘Glee’ ran for six seasons on Fox between 2009 and 2015. Set at the fictional William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, it followed the New Directions show choir as they navigated teenage drama, friendships, relationships, rivalries and the occasional spectacularly ill-advised musical number. There was also plenty of time for Sue Sylvester to terrorise everyone within shouting distance.
The original ensemble included Lea Michele (Scream Queens) as Rachel Berry, Matthew Morrison (American Horror Story: 1984) as Will Schuester, Jane Lynch (Only Murders in the Building) as Sue Sylvester, Chris Colfer (Struck by Lightning) as Kurt Hummel, Amber Riley (Dreamgirls) as Mercedes Jones and Darren Criss (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story) as Blaine Anderson, alongside a sizeable cast that grew over the show’s run.
Could The Original ‘Glee’ Cast Return?
That’s the big question, and, for now, the answer is that nobody has officially been announced. Murphy has, however, been doing more than just daydreaming about a return to McKinley High.
Back in July, while promoting his FX drama ‘The Shards’, he suggested that ‘Glee’ was finding a fresh audience among younger viewers and wondered whether it was time to revisit the concept. By September, he revealed that he and fellow original creators Ian Brennan and Brad Falchuk had written a script for the new series.
Murphy also said he had been in touch with around ten members of the original cast, who were enthusiastic about the possibility. Enthusiasm, of course, is not the same thing as a signed contract, so there is no guarantee yet that Rachel, Kurt, Sue or anyone else will be back on screen.
Chris Colfer has also addressed the prospect of returning. Speaking to Bustle earlier this month, he acknowledged how difficult revisiting the show could be following the death of former co-star Naya Rivera, but joked that “Glee fans would probably come after me with pitchforks and jazz hands if I said no.”
Any return would inevitably have to reckon with the losses the original cast has experienced. Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died in 2013, while Mark Salling, who played Noah Puckerman, died in 2018, and Rivera, who played Santana Lopez, died in 2020. How the new series might acknowledge those absences has not been revealed.
A New Generation Of New Directions?
There is still no word on whether this will be a reunion centred on the original characters, an entirely new group of students, or a mixture of both. Given that the original characters have been out of high school for quite some time, a fresh generation of singers alongside a few familiar faces would certainly be one possible approach. But that’s speculation, not an announced plot.
There’s a reason Disney is keen to bring the franchise back. Beyond winning six Emmy Awards during its original run, ‘Glee’ produced a seemingly endless stream of covers, albums and memorable performances. According to Disney, its music still attracts around four million monthly listeners on Spotify, more than a decade after the original finale.
Whether the new version can capture the same chaotic mix of heartfelt stories, pop hits and absolutely unhinged school assemblies remains to be seen. One thing is certain: Ryan Murphy has got the green light to get the glee club singing again. Now we just need to find out who’s going to be holding the microphone.
The ‘Glee‘ reboot has been ordered for Disney+ and Hulu. No premiere date has been announced.
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