Eric McCormack Pitches 'Will & Grace' Spin-Off with 'Heated Rivalry' Twist

The 'Will & Grace' star shared his idea for a potential reboot of the beloved 90s sitcom.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:21am

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering sequins and glittering disco ball fragments in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the glamour and legacy of the 'Will & Grace' TV series.The enduring popularity and cultural impact of the hit sitcom 'Will & Grace' continues to inspire its stars to dream up new ways to revisit these beloved characters.Los Angeles Today

Eric McCormack, who played Will Truman on the hit sitcom 'Will & Grace', is opening up about the possibility of another reboot of the show. In a recent interview, McCormack shared his pitch for a potential spin-off that would feature Will moving to Vancouver to coach his nephew's hockey team, creating a 'Heated Rivalry' storyline. McCormack discussed the lasting legacy of 'Will & Grace' and how the show has impacted LGBTQ+ equality, while also noting that fellow cast member Debra Messing has previously suggested the idea of a 'Golden Girls in Boca Raton' style reboot decades down the line.

Why it matters

The original 'Will & Grace' series ran for eight seasons on NBC from 1998 to 2006, and the show was revived for a three-season run from 2017 to 2020. The sitcom is considered a groundbreaking and influential LGBTQ+ representation on television, and McCormack's pitch for a potential spin-off or reboot indicates that there is still fan interest and demand for new stories featuring these beloved characters.

The details

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, McCormack shared his idea for a 'Will & Grace' spin-off that would feature Will moving to Vancouver to coach his nephew's hockey team, creating a 'Heated Rivalry' storyline. McCormack discussed the lasting impact of the show, noting that it was initially just a comedy but later became an important step towards LGBTQ+ equality, with then-Vice President Joe Biden even citing it as such. McCormack also reflected on meeting younger fans who have discovered the show through reruns, saying it's 'pretty humbling.' While McCormack's pitch is just an idea, fellow 'Will & Grace' star Debra Messing has previously suggested the possibility of a reboot in the style of 'Golden Girls' set in Boca Raton, Florida, though she noted that fans would likely have to wait another 30 years for that to happen.

  • In 2022, Debra Messing discussed the possibility of a 'Will & Grace' reboot in the style of 'Golden Girls' set in Boca Raton.
  • The original 'Will & Grace' series ran for eight seasons on NBC from 1998 to 2006.
  • The 'Will & Grace' revival series aired for three seasons on NBC from 2017 to 2020.

The players

Eric McCormack

An actor best known for playing the role of Will Truman on the sitcom 'Will & Grace', who is now pitching the idea of a spin-off or reboot of the show.

Debra Messing

An actress who starred as Grace Adler on 'Will & Grace' and has previously discussed the possibility of a future reboot of the show in the style of 'Golden Girls'.

Joe Biden

The former Vice President of the United States, who cited 'Will & Grace' as an important step towards LGBTQ+ equality.

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What they’re saying

“Here's my pitch. Will moves to Vancouver to coach his nephew's hockey team … a little [Heated] Rivalry.”

— Eric McCormack, Actor

“It's incredible the journey it took. I mean, we always said that when we started, it was just a comedy. It was just fun. And then, suddenly, one day after we'd finished, Joe Biden said it was the most important step towards equality and marriage equality, and it's just grown since then.”

— Eric McCormack, Actor

“The only way that I could see another iteration is if it was like 'Golden Girls' in Boca Raton. So I think we're going to have to wait another 30 years. So we can talk again in 30 years and see where we're at. Until then, just watch reruns.”

— Debra Messing, Actress

The takeaway

While a 'Will & Grace' reboot or spin-off may not be imminent, the continued interest from the show's stars and loyal fanbase suggests that these beloved characters could return to television in some form in the future, potentially offering new perspectives on LGBTQ+ representation and the enduring legacy of the groundbreaking sitcom.