If you always hoped your favorite TV show might return from the dead, you’re in luck. Bringing back old shows has become the hot, new thing in Hollywood, from The X-Files to Fuller House. As networks look to the past, it seems like a reboot has been discussed for almost any show with a decent fanbase.
At the moment, a variety of revivals are in the works. So what’s next? Based on quotes from cast and crew, here’s a look at 17 shows that aren’t currently being revived but seem likely to return in the near future.
1. ER
After 15 seasons, NBC’s medical drama ER ended in 2009, but when it came to Hulu recently, it became one of the most talked about shows of 2018. This came after the network already expressed interest in bringing it back.
NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt spoke with Deadline in August, saying ER is one of the shows on his wish list for a revival. Greenblatt even said he spoke with ER producer John Wells about this. Nothing is currently in the works, but don’t be surprised to hear word of an ER revival sometime this year.
2. The West Wing
The world needs more of The West Wing, Aaron Sorkin’s series with an extraordinarily optimistic view of politics. Sorkin himself is open to the idea of a revival, saying he’d want it to star Sterling K. Brown as the president.
He told The Hollywood Reporter he imagines the revival would open with “some kind of jam, an emergency, a very delicate situation involving the threat of war or something, and Bartlet, long since retired, is consulted in the way that Bill Clinton used to consult with Nixon.” Where he gets stuck is figuring out how to incorporate C.J. Cregg and Josh Lyman.
But if he ever figures that out, it sounds like Sorkin could return for more West Wing, which would be especially interesting because he left the show after Season 4 and never even watched the last three seasons.
3. 30 Rock
NBC created a TV gem when they aired 30 Rock in 2006. Starring Tina Fey, Tracy Morgan, Jack McBrayer, Alec Baldwin, and Jane Krakowski, the satirical sitcom followed the cast and crew of a fictional live comedy show. With Fey’s experiences writing for Saturday Night Live serving as inspiration, 30 Rock aired for seven seasons.
So, in 2017, fans rejoiced when NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt told Deadline that “if Tina called and said ‘I’d do 30 Rock,’ I’d do it in a heartbeat, even for a limited run.” Evidently, when asked about a possible revival, Fey responded, “I don’t know, maybe.”
4. Lost
The co-creator of Lost has said he’s “curious” and “excited” about a revival. Damon Lindelof doesn’t want to be involved and says he’d want another writer to tackle the mythology, though. Lost is one of ABC’s most popular recent shows, and it’s easy to understand why Lindelof feels the Disney-owned network will likely want to do something else with the material.
So what could a potential revival look like? The last episode was pretty conclusive, but it did end with Hurley and Ben protecting the island. So a continuation could see a new group of characters crashing there, with occasional appearances by Jorge Garcia and Michael Emerson. It could also be a prequel focusing on a different group that landed on the island at any point in its history.
The problem, of course, is that most of the island’s mysteries were answered by the end of Season 6. So it would be difficult for a Lost revival to recapture the same magic as the original.
5. Hannibal
Bryan Fuller’s horror thriller Hannibal developed a cult following. But the ratings were never particularly good. As a result, NBC canceled it at the end of the third season. The final episode sort of worked as an ending, but there’s plenty of room to continue, especially due to an enigmatic final scene with Gillian Anderson.
Ever since the cancellation, Fuller has expressed interest in reviving the show. Now is the perfect time for Hannibal to come back, especially now that Fuller has left American Gods and Anderson is preparing to leave The X-Files.
In August 2017, Fuller said on Twitter that formal discussions of a revival are underway. At this point, the return of Hannibal seems inevitable. The only question is whether it will be one final season, multiple seasons, or just a movie.
- Alias
The Office ended in 2013. Usually, it takes a lot longer for a show to return. But in December 2017, TV Line reported NBC was in discussions to bring back The Office for the 2018–2019 season.
Before you get too excited, keep in mind most of the original cast, including Steve Carell, would likely not return. Due to their commitments, the show also wouldn’t likely draw back John Krasinski, Ed Helms, Mindy Kaling, Ellie Kemper, or Craig Robinson. Jenna Fischer does say she would do it, though, despite being part of a new ABC sitcom, Splitting Up Together.
TV Line reported that the revival would still be set at the Dunder Mifflin Scranton branch, and it would feature a mix of old and new cast members.