Bill Lawrence Expands 'Ted Lasso' & 'Shrinking' Beyond Original 3-Season Plans

The showrunner also revisits 'Scrubs' with a revival that bypasses the controversial Season 9.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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Veteran showrunner Bill Lawrence is extending the runs of two of his hit comedy series, 'Ted Lasso' and 'Shrinking', beyond their originally planned three-season arcs. Meanwhile, he's also bringing back his long-running medical comedy 'Scrubs', but picking up the story after the intended series finale, rather than acknowledging the divisive ninth season.

Why it matters

Lawrence's decisions to expand the stories of 'Ted Lasso' and 'Shrinking' beyond their initial plans, as well as his approach to reviving 'Scrubs', provide insight into the evolving landscape of television storytelling, particularly in the streaming era where series can more easily continue past their originally conceived endpoints.

The details

For 'Ted Lasso', the Jason Sudeikis-led comedy will return for a fourth season that kicks off a new three-season arc, with the title character now coaching Richmond's women's football team. 'Shrinking', co-starring Jason Segel and Harrison Ford, has also been renewed for a surprise fourth season, despite being conceived as a three-season story about grief, forgiveness and moving forward. As for 'Scrubs', the revival will pick up after the intended series finale in Season 8, bypassing the controversial ninth season that featured a largely new cast.

  • In 2008, 'Scrubs' received a pickup for an eighth and final season.
  • The 'Scrubs' revival premieres on ABC on April 25, 2026.

The players

Bill Lawrence

A veteran showrunner who co-created/executive produced the comedy series 'Ted Lasso', 'Shrinking', and the original run of 'Scrubs'.

Jason Sudeikis

The star of 'Ted Lasso', who will continue the story of his character coaching Richmond's women's football team.

Jason Segel

The co-star of 'Shrinking', which has been renewed for a surprise fourth season.

Harrison Ford

Co-stars with Jason Segel in 'Shrinking'.

Eliza Coupe

Starred in the controversial ninth season of 'Scrubs'.

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What they’re saying

“Scrubs is different. We made 1100 episodes of Scrubs. It's an old-school model, and it's fun to see those characters again.”

— Bill Lawrence, Showrunner (Deadline)

“Secondly, what's cool about streaming television is when you pitch a story for Ted Lasso that has a beginning, middle and end, you can do that story and be done with it.”

— Bill Lawrence, Showrunner (Deadline)

What’s next

The 'Scrubs' revival premieres on ABC on April 25, 2026, providing fans a chance to revisit the beloved characters after the divisive ninth season.

The takeaway

Bill Lawrence's decisions to extend the runs of 'Ted Lasso' and 'Shrinking' beyond their original plans, while selectively revisiting 'Scrubs', demonstrate the flexibility and creative opportunities afforded by the evolving television landscape, where series can more easily continue past their initially conceived endpoints.