Disney+ and Hulu announce reboot of Ryan Murphy's musical series Glee
In short
Disney+ and Hulu announced on Wednesday that a reboot of Glee is going ahead, with creator Ryan Murphy involved. Few details were given: outlets said the announcement named no cast, though Lea Michele and Heather Morris have since indicated they will take part.
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Disney+ and Hulu announced on Wednesday that a reboot of Glee is going ahead, according to Polygon, IGN, The Seattle Times and NBC News. The announcement came in a post on the show's social media account that read "Currently gleeking out!" alongside an image confirming the show's return. Polygon said the post was on the show's X account, while The Seattle Times said the show's Instagram account confirmed the return. Reuters headlined its report that Glee is to return in a reboot for Disney+ and Hulu. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 ]
IGN reported that Disney+ and Hulu have picked up a series order. Polygon said little detail was given in the announcement but that Murphy will be involved and that the reboot comes from 20th Television, which produced the original series. The Seattle Times described details about the new show as scant. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
Murphy first raised the idea in July, telling People that so many young people now watch the show that he wondered whether to revisit it. In September he told Entertainment Tonight that he had finished a script. According to NBC News, he said that he, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, who wrote the first two seasons, had written something. The Seattle Times said Falchuk and Brennan were collaborators on the script. Murphy also said he had been in touch with around 10 of the original cast members, who had many questions but were all enthusiastic about the idea. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ]
IGN said the series order announcement did not initially include casting news, but that Lea Michele and Heather Morris have since confirmed their involvement. The Seattle Times said Michele is reportedly set to return, and that Morris teased the return of her character on Instagram. [ 2 , 6 ]
The original series, created by Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, premiered in 2009 and aired for six seasons on Fox, The Seattle Times reported. NBC News said it picked up 10 Golden Globe nominations and four wins, and that it later streamed on Netflix, where a new fan base has gathered. NBC News also said three of the original core cast members have died since the show's debut. [ 6 , 7 ]
IGN and NBC News reported mixed fan reactions. Some fans online expressed excitement, while IGN quoted fans who voiced doubts about the show's later seasons and about whether the full original cast would return. [ 2 , 7 ]
Why it matters
The announcement revives a series that ran from 2009 to 2015 and that outlets say has found a new audience in recent years. Details such as format, scope and cast are still unknown, so the practical effect is not yet clear.
Key facts
- Disney+ and Hulu announced the Glee reboot in a social media post on Wednesday, with the caption "Currently gleeking out!" [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ]
- IGN reported that Disney+ and Hulu have picked up a series order for the reboot. [ 2 ]
- The reboot comes from 20th Television, which produced the original series, and Ryan Murphy will be involved, Polygon reported. [ 1 ]
- Murphy told Entertainment Tonight in September that he had finished a script and had been in touch with around 10 original cast members, who were enthusiastic. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]
- The original Glee aired on Fox for six seasons from 2009 to 2015. [ 6 , 7 ]
- Murphy first raised the idea of a revival in July in an interview with People. [ 1 , 2 , 6 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Disney+ and Hulu announced that a Glee reboot is happening, in a post on the show's social media account on Wednesday. [ 1 , 2 , 6 , 7 ]
- Murphy said he had been in touch with around 10 original cast members about the reboot and that they were enthusiastic. [ 1 , 6 , 7 ]
- Murphy told People in July that so many young people now watch the show, prompting the idea of revisiting it. [ 1 , 6 ]
Still unclear
- Which original cast members will return. IGN said Lea Michele and Heather Morris have confirmed their involvement, while The Seattle Times said Michele is reportedly set to return and Morris teased her character's return on Instagram.
- The format and scope of the reboot. Polygon said it is not clear what the scope will be, and The Seattle Times called details about the new show scant.
- Which social media account made the announcement. Polygon said the show's X account broke the news, while The Seattle Times said the show's Instagram account confirmed the return.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Polygon published its report on the Glee reboot announcement. [ 1 ]
- IGN published its report on the series order and fan reactions. [ 2 ]
- Reuters published its English-language report on Glee returning for Disney+ and Hulu. [ 3 ]
- The Seattle Times published its report on the reboot. [ 6 ]
- NBC News published its report on the reboot. [ 7 ]