Joel Kim Booster Says He 'Watched the Show Religiously' Before Joining “Scrubs” Reboot (Exclusive)
Joel Kim Booster Says He 'Watched the Show Religiously' Before Joining “Scrubs” Reboot (Exclusive)
Stacy LambeWed, February 25, 2026 at 9:59 PM UTC
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Joel Kim Booster on 'Scrubs'Credit: Darko Sikman/Disney -
Joel Kim Booster has joined the Scrubs revival as Dr. Eric Park
The actor will appear on season 10 alongside returning stars Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke
He tells PEOPLE that he's been a longtime fan of the show and getting to act on it was a dream come true
After 16 years off the air, Scrubs is returning to ABC in February. The first season of the revival reunites creator Bill Lawrence and longtime stars Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke while a number of familiar faces are expected to return.
According to the network, starting on Feb. 25, Dr. John "J.D." Dorian (Braff, 50) and Dr. Chris Turk (Faison, 51) will "scrub in together for the first time in a long time." During their hiatus, "medicine has changed; interns have changed; but their bromance has stood the test of time."
Joining them will be Dr. Elliot Reid (Chalke, 49), Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley, 66) and Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes, 58) as well as new characters played by Joel Kim Booster, Vanessa Bayer and others as they all "navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart and some surprises along the way."
While talking to PEOPLE, Booster, 37, says that joining the medical comedy after years of being a fan from afar was a dream come true. "I watched the show religiously growing up and even more so when it was on syndication. So I have a lot of affection for the show and it was really a Make-a-Wish scenario to get to come and play," the comedian says.
The Fire Island writer and star will appear on season 10 as Dr. Eric Park, while the new intern class will be fleshed out by Ava Bunn as Serena, Jacob Dudman as Asher, David Gridley as Blake, Layla Mohammadi as Amara and Amanda Morrow as Dashana. Bayer, 44, meanwhile, will guest star as Sibby.
Given that Booster is one of several new cast members being mixed in with a number of Scrubs veterans, there were some nerves going in. "I'm so glad that everybody is back. It's been so nice because I was a little nervous coming in as a newcomer and integrating with this old cast that has been doing the show for 10 years," the actor says.
"They had every right to be a little protective or gatekeeping about this show that they created and built, but that the complete opposite has been the case. Everyone is so welcoming. The set is just so much fun."
He adds, "It's been a real joy. I'm really excited for people to see it."
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From left: Joel Kim Booster, Anna Maria Horsford and Zach Braff on 'Scrubs'Credit: Darko Sikman/Disney
That said, Booster teases that "I get to do something a little bit different. I mean, he's not completely dissimilar from Nicholas," the ambitious executive assistant he plays opposite Maya Rudolph on Apple TV's Loot. "But there are definitely a lot of subtle and not so subtle differences that are a lot of fun for me to play in this different world."
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When it comes to donning hospital scrubs and spouting out medical jargon, the actor jokes, "Luckily, we're not The Pitt." Compared to the HBO Max medical drama, "the target is pretty manageable for the most part," he says.
If anything, swapping out the fitted and tailored costumes he wears on Loot for the medical uniforms turned out to be an unexpected perk. "The one thing I didn't conceptualize going in was this is the comfiest job of my life," Booster says. "The easiest costumes. I mean, when I'm on Loot, I'm in three-piece suits every day. When I'm on Scrubs, I'm in pajamas essentially."
From left: Joel Kim Booster, Maya Rudolph and Ron Funches on 'Loot'Credit: Colleen Hayes/Apple TV +
"Shoutout to FIGS, you guys create some comfortable f---king scrubs that I get to sit around in all day," he continues. "That was the biggest surprise."
Amazed by the production, Booster says, "It's insane. There are a lot of moving parts. We shoot in what is supposed to look like a working hospital, which means there are upwards of a hundred background actors working on this show every day. There's so many moving parts to focus on."
"As big as Loot is, this show is just its own animal, its own beast," the actor adds. "It's been a lot of fun getting to know it."
Season 1 of the Scrubs revival kicks off with a two-episode premiere Wednesday, Feb. 25, starting at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
