Glee fans, prepare your slushies — the quirky and bold musical dramedy that reshaped the entertainment landscape and kickstarted numerous careers in the 2010s is officially being revived, with several original cast members expressing interest in returning for the new series.
Disney+ and Hulu have officially approved the reboot, confirming to CBC News that a series order has been placed.
“With chart-topping covers, viral performances, and breakout stars, Glee played a pivotal role in shaping contemporary fandom—and its impact continues to resonate with both longtime supporters and fresh audiences,” Disney+ stated in their announcement.
The Glee Instagram account shared an image on Wednesday declaring, “It’s official, Glee is coming back,” accompanied by the caption: “Currently gleeking out!”
Originally airing on Fox from 2009 to 2015, the show centered on a diverse group of students in the William McKinley High School show choir as they navigated challenges including relationships, sexuality, identity, and even a plot where a rival show choir nearly blinds a member by tossing a slushie filled with rock salt (yes, that actually happened on Glee).
Although the reunion is bittersweet due to the passing of three original cast members, several actors from the initial series have hinted at their involvement in the reboot.
Lea Michele, who gained fame as Rachel Berry in the show, is reportedly set to return, as noted by Variety, with a source indicating, “she’s in.”
On Instagram, Heather Morris posted a nostalgic picture of herself in character as cheerleader Brittany Pierce, stating that the character is “back for more.”
Other former cast members have suggested their participation as well. Chord Overstreet shared, “Reunited and it feels so good!” on X on Wednesday. Kevin McHale, who portrayed Artie Abrams, referenced a 2020 post about Drake surpassing Glee’s cast for the most Billboard Hot 100 hits of all time, adding the comment, “Challenge accepted.” Jenna Ushkowitz also posted an image of a Glee poster featuring her character Tina on Instagram on Wednesday.
McHale previously expressed excitement to People Magazine in September, stating, “If someone like Ryan [Murphy] is willing to gather us all in a room and on a set together, I could never turn that down. I adore all of those people.”
“I’ve been in contact with around 10 of the original cast members,” Murphy shared in an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the end of September, noting that he has already penned a script for the reboot. “They were all very enthusiastic about the concept.”
Fan favorites Amber Riley, Chris Colfer, and Darren Criss have not yet commented on their participation, although Riley has previously stated she wouldn’t return. Colfer and Criss recently reunited to perform some Glee songs at Criss’s Royal Albert Hall concert in London.
The online community is already buzzing with reactions. Comments on the show’s announcement on Instagram range from disbelief—“Ur kidding,” remarked singer Laufey—to excitement and disappointment. “As a massive Glee fan, this is a terrible idea,” one user commented.
The legacy of Glee
The show’s music was extremely popular, still attracting about 4.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify today. During its airing, 207 songs made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 charts.
In its early seasons, the series was both a critical and commercial success, resonating with audiences through its message of misfits finding acceptance and earning praise for its inclusive representation.
A Slate article discussing the show’s finale suggested it “did more to normalize homosexuality than any other show in television history, perhaps more than any other mainstream work of art.”
Cast members Darren Criss, left, and Chris Colfer, seen at a 2011 event honoring Glee in Los Angeles, have not disclosed whether they will participate in the reboot. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
However, the show also faced criticism for its often inconsistent tone, which fluctuated from satire to sincere, leading some serious subjects like bullying and eating disorders to be downplayed.
Tragedies and scandals have plagued the production and its cast throughout the show’s run and beyond. Cory Monteith, who played star quarterback Finn Hudson, died of an accidental overdose in Vancouver in 2013 at the age of 31, while the show was still in production. Mark Salling, who portrayed Puck, died by suicide in 2017 after admitting guilt for possessing child pornography.
Additionally, beloved star Naya Rivera, known for her role as Santana, tragically passed away in 2020 due to an accidental drowning while saving her son.
A controversial 2023 docuseries titled The Price of Glee sought to explore a supposed “curse” surrounding the show, but faced backlash from various cast members.
Naya Rivera, pictured in January 2018, portrayed Santana on the series. She drowned accidentally in 2020. (Willy Sanjuan/Invision/The Associated Press)
Michele faced accusations in 2020 of bullying and making racist comments on set from former Glee co-star Samantha Ware. Other cast members came forward with similar stories, and Michele publicly apologized for her actions.
Despite the show’s complex history, fans are reacting strongly to the announcement of this former cultural phenomenon returning.
“WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S OFFICIALLY COMING BACK???” exclaimed TikTok influencer Chris Olsen, with a Glee cover of River Deep, Mountain High playing in the background.
“Just heard the news, I’m trembling,” TikTok user @Max_Balegde said in a video, adding that a Chappell Roan cover might be in the works. “I hope Sue Sylvester performs a Katseye song.”
Jane Lynch, known for her iconic portrayal of Coach Sue Sylvester, hasn’t confirmed her participation but did share an article about the reboot on her Instagram story on Wednesday.
Not all fans are convinced that a reboot can capture the original’s chaotic essence.
In September, TikTok user @sammnnicole posted a compilation showcasing some of the more bizarre moments from Glee, with the text overlay stating “the Glee reboot could never recreate this masterpiece.” The video, which has garnered over 350,000 views, included a scene from Season 3 where the cast dives into a pool one by one while singing Rihanna’s We Found Love, featuring McHale’s Artie cheerfully rolling his wheelchair into the water at the end.