The team behind Scrubs addressed a major character development following the revival’s premiere. Creator Bill Lawrence and stars Zach Braff and Sarah Chalke spoke about the decision to alter J.D. and Elliot’s relationship status. They also addressed what the change means for the series moving forward.
Scrubs cast and creator discuss J.D. and Elliot’s divorce in Season 10
Sixteen years after its original run, ABC revives Scrubs and writes J.D. and Elliot’s divorce into the story. The two-episode premiere confirms the development, and the cast and creator discussed it with Deadline.
Creator Bill Lawrence said, “Here’s the scoop. The eighth year ends with, just once I’d like to believe my dreams came true,” adding, “Not everything works out the way you want it to work out.” He explained, “Some marriages fail, some don’t.”
Lawrence cited real-life inspiration, stating, “I’m a huge believer in writing what you know and what you see.” He referenced showrunner Aseem Batra’s experience as “a single parent, co-raising that child with somebody,” noting, “That doesn’t mean that it’s acrimonious.” He added, “You would say, Turk and Carla are going to make it… I don’t think J.D. and Elliot have had more than an episode and a half, they seemed like a functioning couple.”
Sarah Chalke said, “I was not disappointed, I thought it was great,” calling it “the best way in” and adding, “There’s so much more opportunity for comedy and drama.” She noted, “We had so much of, they’re together, and then they break up,” and said, “To do it in this iteration, I thought it was the best way to create conflict.”
Zach Braff said, “What J.D. sees projected on the sheet at the end of Season 8 is what he hopes and dreams will happen. But that doesn’t necessarily come true.” He added, “You have the contrast with Turk and Carla… compared to us, who are learning now to co-parent.” On a possible reconciliation, Braff said, “We’ve only planned these first nine,” while Lawrence stated, “I don’t think there’s any inherent obligation for them to end up together.”
