The medical comedy Scrubs returns to ABC on February 25, 2026, at 8 p.m. EST, bringing back original cast members including Sarah Chalke, Donald Faison, and Zach Braff. Production has shifted to a new set in Vancouver, Canada, designed to replicate the iconic Sacred Heart Hospital with nostalgic details and modern enhancements. Designer Roger Fires oversaw the build after the original location was demolished.
Scrubs aired for its first eight seasons at the former North Hollywood Medical Center in the San Fernando Valley, a shuttered hospital reconstructed into Sacred Heart. The pilot was filmed at Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Valley Village, California. Season 9 moved to Culver Studios. The North Hollywood site was torn down in 2011 and replaced by luxury apartments, necessitating a new setup for the revival.
The Vancouver set spans nearly 30,000 square feet and includes updated versions of familiar areas like hallways, operating rooms, and the gift shop. The entrance uses an optical illusion based on a three-dimensional photo with reverse perspective, inspired by artist Patrick Hughes. Fires consulted Hughes, who said, “[Hughes] was really helpful. He was like ‘I’m happy that you [called] me, everyone steals my idea, but you called,” says Fires. “‘If you need my help I’m going to be happy to help you!’”
Nostalgic elements persist, such as the neon “Flowers” sign in the gift shop, now wider for filming with improved lighting. Braff noted, “For the fans, we wanted all these little easter eggs things to be the same,” says Braff, “things like the neon ‘Pharmacy’ sign…(and) the ‘Flowers’ neon of the gift shop.” Upon seeing the set, Braff was “speechless for three minutes,” according to Fires, who hopes viewers react similarly.
The original set was so realistic that people sought medical care there, prompting a sign: “this is not a working hospital, do not come here for emergency care,” as Braff recalled in 2020. The series bar, unnamed originally, is now Lloyds Junction, honoring late actor Sam Lloyd, who played Ted the Lawyer.
Original production designer Cabot McMullen is not returning; Fires leads the effort in the new city.
