Glee Reboot Greenlit on Disney+ and Hulu Amid Controversial Cast History

Key points

• Disney+ and Hulu announced a series order for the Glee reboot on October 21, 2026, produced by 20th Television.
• Ryan Murphy confirmed he has completed a reboot script and is in contact with about ten original cast members, though no official casting has been finalized.
• Lea Michele is in talks to return as Rachel Berry, while Heather Morris and Chord Overstreet have publicly expressed interest in participating.
• Matthew Morrison is not currently in talks for the reboot, though sources indicate he remains hopeful for involvement.
• The original series ran from 2009 to 2015, winning six Emmys and maintaining high popularity, with its music averaging 4.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

Background

Glee originally aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015, following the New Directions show choir at McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio. The series was known for tackling issues of sexuality, race, disability, and mental health through musical performances. It achieved significant cultural impact, including a concert tour in 2010 and surpassing The Beatles in Billboard Hot 100 appearances as a non-solo act. The show concluded after six seasons, with its final episode airing in 2015.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six emphasizes the 'Glee curse,' highlighting a series of tragedies and scandals that affected cast members, including the accidental overdose death of Cory Monteith in 2013, the suicide of Mark Salling in 2018 following child pornography charges, and the drowning death of Naya Rivera in 2020. Page Six also details 2020 allegations of workplace bullying against Lea Michele by co-star Samantha Ware, which Michele attempted to address. Variety focuses on the logistical and emotional challenges of the reboot, noting that Chris Colfer expressed difficulty returning after Rivera's death but acknowledged fan expectations. Deadline provides specific casting updates, confirming Michele is in talks while Morrison is not, and notes the production is handled by 20th Television. BBC offers a broader cultural perspective, quoting former cast member Max George, who expressed enthusiasm for the reboot after a ten-year hiatus, and highlights a recent reunion performance at London's Royal Albert Hall. While Page Six frames the return through the lens of past trauma, Variety and Deadline focus on the practicalities of the new production, and BBC emphasizes the nostalgic appeal and fan enthusiasm.

Why it matters

The Glee reboot represents a significant return for a culturally influential series that addressed sensitive social issues through music. The announcement tests the viability of reviving a show associated with significant cast tragedies and scandals, raising questions about how the new production will handle the legacy of the original series and the well-being of its returning cast members. The involvement of Ryan Murphy and key original stars like Lea Michele suggests a strong commercial and creative interest in revisiting the franchise, potentially impacting the streaming landscape for musical dramedies.

What to watch

Disney+ and Hulu are expected to release more details about the Glee reboot, including official casting announcements and a release date, in the coming months. Ryan Murphy and his collaborators will likely finalize the script and negotiate with the remaining original cast members. The production will need to address how to handle the legacy of the original series, particularly regarding the deaths and scandals of past cast members, and may involve new storylines or characters to reflect the passage of time since the original series ended in 2015.