NBC is craving more Will & Grace! Originally picked up in January for a 10-episode limited installment, the Emmy-winning comedy is getting its order expanded and will return next season with 12 new episodes.
The Will & Grace revival quickly has emerged as one NBC’s top assets for next season and is featured front and center in the NBCUniversal’s upfront spots unveiled yesterday, which tout the company’s entire portfolio of networks. The new, ninth season of Will & Grace — reuniting original stars Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes — stems from the surprise election-themed reunion mini-episode released on September 26. Done without NBC’s involvement, it immediately triggered talk of a series revival and soon negotiations began with the show’s stars.
Will & Grace, which aired from 1998-2006 as one of the last tentpoles of NBC’s once-venerable Must-See TV comedy lineup, has a great legacy: In addition to winning 16 Emmys, including best comedy series, it is credited with paving the way for LGBT characters on TV, featuring the first openly gay lead characters on a primetime network series.
