'Glee' Reboot Officially Announced by Disney+ and Hulu

The musical dramedy "Glee" is officially being rebooted, with a new series announced by Disney+ and Hulu on Oct. 21, 2026. Original co-creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan are all involved in the new project.

Murphy had been hinting at a potential revival for months, telling People in July that the show had found a new audience among younger viewers, prompting him to reconsider its future. By September, he informed Entertainment Tonight that he had completed a script with Falchuk and Brennan and had been in contact with approximately 10 original cast members about a potential comeback.

While the official announcement confirmed the series order from Disney+ and Hulu, details regarding a premiere date, production schedule, episode count, or a complete cast list have not yet been released. It remains a work in progress, with no specific timeline for its debut.

Lea Michele, who portrayed Rachel Berry, is reportedly set to return for the reboot, according to Variety. Michele has previously expressed her affection for the series and indicated a willingness to participate in a revival.

Several other former cast members have hinted at their potential involvement. Heather Morris, who played Brittany S. Pierce, shared a social media post suggesting her character might return. Chord Overstreet (Sam Evans) and Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang) have also made social media posts that could be interpreted as hints about their participation.

Jane Lynch has expressed strong enthusiasm for reprising her role as the formidable Sue Sylvester. In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, she even proposed a storyline where Sue becomes a school superintendent who abolishes music programs to fund a Broadway cheerleading production.

However, some cast members have expressed more uncertainty. Chris Colfer, who played Kurt Hummel, told Bustle that he had heard nothing about the reboot and acknowledged the emotional difficulty of returning after the death of co-star Naya Rivera. Matthew Morrison, who starred as Will Schuester, is reportedly not in talks to return, though he remains hopeful about the revival. Harry Shum Jr. (Mike Chang) has also expressed excitement for the reboot's potential, even without having received a direct call from Murphy.

Kevin McHale, who previously voiced reservations about reprising his role as Artie Abrams, a character who uses a wheelchair, appears more open to returning amid the reboot speculation, telling People, "I could never say no to that."

As of now, Michele is the only cast member officially confirmed to be returning. The remaining cast lineup is still unknown.

The original "Glee" aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015, following the members of the William McKinley High School show choir, New Directions. The series explored the students' personal lives, relationships, and challenges, all set against a backdrop of musical performances. Central characters included Rachel Berry, an ambitious aspiring star, and Finn Hudson, a football player who joined the glee club. The show also featured the ruthless Cheerios coach Sue Sylvester, whose rivalry with Will Schuester was a recurring element.

Over its six seasons, "Glee" became a cultural phenomenon, releasing popular soundtrack albums and inspiring concert tours. Beyond its musical numbers, the series tackled significant social issues such as bullying, racism, disability, sexuality, and mental health. It was also noted for its groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation, portraying the experiences of gay teenager Kurt Hummel and Santana Lopez's coming-out journey, which contributed to mainstream conversations about identity and acceptance.

The revival comes with the somber awareness of cast members who have passed away since the show's original run. Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died in 2013. Mark Salling, known for his role as Noah "Puck" Puckerman, died in 2018. Naya Rivera, who portrayed Santana Lopez, died in 2020. Their absences are a significant part of the show's legacy.

The original "Glee" seasons are available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+. The new reboot is expected to air on the same platforms.