It was a wrap. Will & Grace, a show that had lit up our screens for eight unforgettable seasons, had come to an end on May 18, 2006. Stars Eric McCormack (as Will Truman), Debra Messing (as Grace Adler), Megan Mullally (as Karen Walker), and Sean Hayes (as Jack McFarland) became household names. But then, something unexpected happened. During the last presidential race, the show's cast reunited for a 10-minute episode aimed at encouraging people to vote. The internet went wild, sparking rumors that the iconic series might return. And guess what? It did! Not only did Will & Grace make a triumphant comeback, but it was also quickly renewed for a second season. In the following interview, the cast shares their disbelief and joy about this unexpected revival.
Sean Hayes: A Gift of Rediscovery
Sean Hayes: Let me tell you, when we wrapped that series, we all thought, "This is it. The end." It was bittersweet, but it felt right. We were all emotional, crying like babies, because that's what happens when you say goodbye to something you love. But who could have predicted we'd be back? Resurrection is a rare thing in Hollywood, and it feels like getting a second chance to relive the magic. For me, it's like revisiting a cherished chapter of my life. It's not your childhood exactly, but it's close—your 'young-hood.' And how many people get to experience that? Not many.
Read also:Dolly Rud The Rising Star Whos Turning Heads In The Entertainment World
Debra Messing: You know, we all agreed back then that Season 8 was the perfect time to conclude the series. We wanted to give the writers enough time to craft a meaningful finale. It was important to us to do the show justice. No one anticipated this revival. That night, when we wrapped, was emotional and powerful. We were proud of what we'd created, and it felt like the right time to step away. We needed to explore new creative paths, stretch our muscles in different ways. But life has a way of surprising you, doesn't it?
Megan Mullally: The Karen Walker Paradox
Megan Mullally: Honestly, I never imagined we'd revisit Will & Grace. When a show ends, it usually stays ended. You wrap up loose ends, maybe send characters to prison or reveal it was all a dream, and that's that. You mourn the loss and move on. But Karen Walker? Well, she’s a character who always felt like she existed in some parallel universe, wreaking havoc somewhere else. So, while I didn’t expect it, part of me always felt like Karen was out there, living her best life. And now, here we are, bringing her back to the screen.
Eric McCormack: Coming back to this show feels surreal. It's like stepping into a time machine. Everything is the same, yet different. The faces are familiar—James Burrows, the crew, everyone behind the scenes—it’s like we never left. If anything had changed, it might not have worked, but it feels like yesterday. It’s disorienting in the best way possible. Playing Will again was surprisingly easy. He’s like my alter ego, my Id. Since the show ended, I’ve been doing dramas, playing more contained characters. But stepping back into Will’s shoes was like letting a Jack-in-the-Box pop open. Except, of course, it was a Will-in-the-Box.
(Photo: NBC)
Read also:Rossi Criminal Minds The Ultimate Guide To His Role And Character
Debra Messing: A Revival Like No Other
Debra Messing: The revival announcement? Surreal doesn't even begin to describe it. There was a crowd, a mayor declaring it "Will & Grace Day." We just looked at each other, thinking, "What is happening?" The outpouring of love and goodwill has been overwhelming. It’s gratifying to know that people still care so deeply about this show. Our goal is simple: make everyone laugh as hard as we did back in the day, if not harder. That’s the magic of Will & Grace.
Megan Mullally: The most bizarre part of this whole experience is how natural it feels. It’s like, "Of course we’re here doing Will & Grace. Why wouldn’t we be?" It doesn’t feel like we’ve been away for 11 years. It’s as if we took a little hiatus, maybe a long weekend. That’s because so much of the team is still here—the same camera operators, hair and makeup artists, wardrobe designers, set decorators, everyone. It creates this illusion that time hasn’t passed. We just walk around the set and think, "Hey, guys, just another day of Will & Grace. No big deal."
Sean Hayes: When a show ends, you wonder if anyone still cares about it. There’s so much content out there now. But the energy from the live audience on the first taping night? It was electric. The screaming, the laughter—it was a reminder of how special this show is. Every single tape night, the audience’s reaction reinforces that. It’s a thrill to know that people still enjoy the show and want more. We’re thrilled to deliver.
(Photo: NBC)
Debra Messing: The Joy of Live Taping
Debra Messing: There’s nothing quite like the experience of live taping. It’s joyous, chaotic, and electric all at once. Walking out onto that set and hearing the audience erupt in cheers—it was unforgettable. Every one of us teared up. The music, the energy, it all came rushing back. It felt like coming home.
Eric McCormack: Those 200 people in the studio audience are more than just spectators; they’re a character in the show. And let’s be clear—there’s no laugh track here. These are real people, real reactions, and they love it. Being in front of them again was incredible. It’s like when a band you grew up with reunites for a tour. You’re excited to see them, but there’s also a little apprehension. "Can they still play? Do they still have it?" But the moment they start, and the crowd goes wild, you know they’ve still got it. That’s how it felt for us. We were rock stars, and it was a blast.
Megan Mullally: As long as the writing stays sharp—and it does—we’re on solid ground. The characters, the chemistry, it’s all there. Plus, we’ve all grown over the years, learned new things from other projects, other actors. Bringing all that experience back to Will & Grace makes for a winning combination.
