NBC Renewed Will & Grace Revival For Season 2 Before Premiere Date

It’s been 11 years but NBC’s “Will & Grace” is coming back. Two months before its premiere on September 28, NBC has already renewed the show for a second season. The network is banking on nostalgia for their old-reliable hit.

NBC hopes that the “Will & Grace” revival would be as close to the original making it feel like they’ve never left. The network is determined to recapture the glory of their sit-com hit at the same time help NBC’s comedy record.

The network would be setting the “Will & Grace” revival in 2017 but they have a few adjustments but still would have the same elements from 11 years ago.

Will & Grace Revival Frozen In Time

NBC promises the new “Will & Grace” revival would not be drastically different from the original series. So fans would expect the same set of characters with the same set of baggage from 2006. It won’t be a reboot of Will Truman (Eric McCormack) and Grace Adler (Debra Messing)  as anything or anyone else despite themselves.

The first season of the revival would give fans a confusing setting with Will and Grace living together again. Since in the original series finale a flash forward revealed Will and Grace had gone their separate ways.  Both having a family of their own and sadly hadn’t spoken in decades.

Sean Hayes, Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, and Megan Mullally in Will & Grace (1998). Photo via NBC Universal, Inc.

Will & Grace creators Max Muchnick and David Kohan insisted the revival should have the show’s old rhythms. Muchnick and Kohan praised the writers of the original Will & Grace who developed the beloved characters and helping them build a cultural benchmark for their show.

According to Kohan, they wouldn’t have written the finale the way it was if they knew they’d continue on with Will & Grace in the near future. But the series creators would make it seem that the finale never happened. The 2006 finale of Will & Grace will be revealed as a fantasy or a projection of a future that Will and Grace conjured.

Kohan and Mutchnick acknowledge that Karen (Megan Mullally) and Jack (Sean Hayes) have lived their own lives in the past decade. But there would be a rise of random circumstance that would bring these characters living together again.

The revival would focus on resetting the rules and disregarding the original Will & Grace Finale.

Will & Grace Revival To Reflect 2017 Culture

Will & Grace is credited for being a show that broadened gay acceptance in America. Once being praised by former Vice President Joe Biden.  Will &Grace was set in a whole different time period but was progressive in setting the conversation for the LGBTQ community. It was a revolutionary show for the 90’s having two gay lead characters.

Though some of its jokes from the 90’s might not sit well with this era’s narrative of sexuality and gender identity. Such as their jokes from earlier seasons that took a jab on the transgender community.

But the Will & Grace panel did not discuss the shows outdated punchlines  Television Critics Association summer press tour. Will & Grace has to adapt to the heated political climate in America. Kohan and Muchnick promised nostalgia but they will not go through the ignorant route.

Rosanna Arquette, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally, Leigh-Allyn Baker, and Shelley Morrison in Will & Grace (1998). Photo via NBC Universal, Inc.

Despite Will & Grace being set in 2017 and aware of the social issues arising in the past decade. NBC and its creators emphasized they would not dive head first into anything political. They are still a situation comedy.

But they would poke a little fun at the fact Karen is a Trump supporter on the show.

During the panel, the cast and creators addressed other social issues such as diversity. Kohan and Muchnick said they will place their characters in situations that will mean a more diverse cast.

Muchnick mentioned that they will not write the show as if it was still set in 1996. Acknowledging they’ve added young writing talent in their writer’s room.

NBC is already invested in the show with two seasons already lined up. They are putting their faith on the show is a success and a positive response from the audience.

The Will & Grace Revival premieres Thursday, September 28 on NBC.