It’s true, fellow fans of Stars Hollow: Gilmore Girls is coming back! The unsatisfying end of season seven won’t be the final word any longer. Netflix is reviving the heartwarming and quirky series about Lorelai, Rory, and Emily Gilmore. It’s been rumored for months, and the appearance of many cast members at the ATX Festival over the summer only made fans more hungry for small town antics, ridiculously fast-paced dialogue, and jokes about copious amounts of coffee. In short, the time is right. Then again, the time for more Gilmore Girls would never be wrong.
But what are the details? What do we know? Let’s break it down.
All we know officially from Netflix is that Gilmore Girls is coming back in 2016 with Amy Sherman-Palladino, Lauren Graham (Lorelai), and Alexis Bledel (Rory):
OY with the poodles, already! See you on set, Amy Sherman-Palladino, @thelaurengraham @alexisbledel. #GilmoreGirls pic.twitter.com/kM36J1JVgV
— Netflix US (@netflix) January 29, 2016
Who’s coming back?
But of course, other cast members besides Graham and Bledel have taken to social media to share news about reprising their roles. This includes Scott Patterson (Luke), Keiko Agena (Lane), Sean Gunn (Kirk), Yanic Truesdale (Michel), Tanc Sade (Finn), David Sutcliffe (Christopher), and Aris Alvarado (Caesar):
Luke's Diner open for business! #LukeDanes pic.twitter.com/FA0Ui9jqDn
— Scott G. Patterson (@ScottGPatterson) January 30, 2016
Happy to be back and reconnect with my old pal Michel. Feeling blessed and excited! #GilmoreGirls pic.twitter.com/jJLNcjVKKv
— Yanic Truesdale (@YanicTruesdale) January 30, 2016
It's official. #GilmoreGirls is back. â¤ï¸ Can't wait to share the journey with you. https://t.co/5igmC2OaVW
— KeikoAgena (@KeikoAgena) January 29, 2016
HEY FOLKS, IT'S OFFICIAL. Yes, we're shooting more Gilmore Girls for Netflix and yes, I'll be returning as Kirk.
No, Sean’s account isn’t verified, but there’s this:
Okay. I’m in. #gilmoregirls A photo posted by Sean Gunn (@thejudgegunn) on
Yup Finn's back. https://t.co/ViscCJ61Q7
— tanc sade (@TancSade) February 1, 2016
Sade added he has to make sure dates work with his Roadies filming schedule.
@MooeyRae i think Dad will make an appearance.
— David Sutcliffe (@SutcliffeDavid) January 29, 2016
Excited to announce that Caesar is returning to Stars Hallow. #gilmoregirlsreunion#gilmoreguys https://t.co/4QXwSiblAE
— Aris Alvarado (@AR1STOCRAT) February 2, 2016
Kelly Bishop confirmed her return in an interview with TVLine and in the interview mentioned that Rose Abdoo (Gypsy) and Liza Weil (Paris) will be part of the revival. Sherman-Palladino’s husband Daniel Palladino is on board to write and direct with her.
Update, February 4:
Matt Czuchry will reprise his role of Logan! And yes, the events of season seven still stand so that means the marriage proposal happened. I’m dying to know how Logan factors into Rory’s life.
Update, February 8:
And so it begins. Again. #GilmoreGirls pic.twitter.com/fIoFpt0pae
— Liza Weil (@liza_weil) February 11, 2016
Liza Weil has confirmed she’ll be back. She appeared at aTVFest and said Paris will be in two of the four episodes, adding, “It’s very emotional to read them [the scripts]. It’s like a really magical perfect time machine. I’m very happy to be a part of it.”
And Truesdale has shared the first photo from the set–he’s with Graham at the Dragonfly!
First day back at the Inn with my old boss. Fun times! #GilmoreGirlsRevival #WarnerBros pic.twitter.com/sxprUKdLyk
— Yanic Truesdale (@YanicTruesdale) February 6, 2016
Update, February 10:
Milo Ventimiglia is returning as Jess Mariano! He posted the news on Twitter:
What a great time to get back on set with some friends. #JessIsBack @warnerbrostv @netflix. MV pic.twitter.com/VQAt2Lrumr
— Milo Ventimiglia (@MiloVentimiglia) February 10, 2016
I hope he’s become a famous writer.
Also, Netflix has confirmed the return of Ventimiglia, Weil, Truesdale, and Czuchry:
The girls are gonna' have their hands full. #GilmoreGirls #CastingAlert #Theyreback pic.twitter.com/kqPEZuWr2A
— Netflix US (@netflix) February 10, 2016
Update #2, February 10:
It looks like Stars Hollow will have its most well-known troubadour serenading on the streets again. Grant-Lee Phillips talked with Salon and said, “I think it’s looking very likely that the town troubadour will return to Stars Hollow before long. That’s the word on the street, anyhow.” He added he’s headed to Los Angeles for production soon.
Update, February 11:
I'm heading back to Stars Hollow! Time to brush off my turtleneck… #dean #GilmoreGirlsRevival pic.twitter.com/xshdjXtCx0
— Jared Padalecki (@jarpad) February 11, 2016
Dean Forester will be back! Variety has reported Jared Padalecki is set to reprise his role. Who else thinks Dean is married again and has two and a half children and a golden retriever?
Variety also reported David Sutcliffe will return as Christopher, which is further confirmation in addition to his tweet.
Update #2, February 11:
Back at Stars Hollow! @liza_weil #GilmoreGirlsRevival pic.twitter.com/Zsnsu1SDXT
— Danny Strong (@Dannystrong) February 12, 2016
TVLine has reported Danny Strong will be back as Doyle. Let’s keep our fingers crossed he and Paris are still together.
Update #3, February 11:
Hot tea and tofu for everyone because according to TVLine, Emily Kuroda is coming back as Mrs. Kim.
Variety has learned Vanessa Marano will be once again playing April Nardini. She is Luke’s daughter, but part of me hoped she’d just be away at an overseas college or something.
Update, February 18:
Lorelai’s dog is still kicking! TVLine has confirmed Paul Anka will be back.
Update, February 21:
I got my GG script today! Hooray! Hey that rhymes!
— Jackson Douglas (@jacksonveggies) February 19, 2016
Jackson Douglas is on board for the revival. He, of course, plays Jackson. No word yet on whether Sookie will be back.
Update, March 17:
Quick snap w/ @alexisbledel #KellyBishop. Sorry it's so fuzzy. #gilmoregirls #rorygilmore #gg @GilmoreWords pic.twitter.com/fljbLZsDHy
— tanc sade (@TancSade) March 17, 2016
Tanc Sade apparently worked out scheduling because he posted a photo with Kelly Bishop and Alexis Bledel–Emily and Rory together again! Ahh!
Update, March 24:
Remember this guy? #MattCzuchry AKA #LoganHuntzberger… #gilmoregirls #GG #Finn #lifeanddeathbrigade pic.twitter.com/TmOBAg0RPi
— tanc sade (@TancSade) March 22, 2016
Look at Tanc Sade and Matt Czuchry together on set! [TVLine]
Update, March 30:
@zhaldeman I am indeed paying a visit to Stars Hollow.
— Chris Eigeman (@ChrisEigeman) March 29, 2016
Jason “Digger” Stiles is returning for the revival. Chris Eigeman dropped the news on Twitter, saying he’s paying a visit to Stars Hollow. I did not see that one coming. I can’t imagine it would be more than a quick drop-by.
Update, April 7:
TVLine reports Melissa McCarthy will be indeed making an appearance in the revival. Sherman-Palladino opened up the invite again during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. She said, “We’ve just put it out into the universe; we’re here until May 10. I know what the scene is. I’ll pre-light it for her. She can drive up, run in, shoot it, and run out. I can get her in and out in two hours.” Who knows if it’s because of that invite, but McCarthy will be taping her scenes soon.
Will there be new characters?
The Gilmores have undoubtedly met several new faces in the years since we last saw them. E! Online reported on some of them. There will be the Peruvian couple Berta and Alejandro, a grumpy man named Nat Compton, Lane’s 9-year-old twins Stevie and Kwan, hippies at a commune, a high-end men’s magazine editor named Jim, and more.
Update, February 10:
Sutton Foster is joining the revival in an unnamed role. She starred in another of Sherman-Palladino’s series, Bunheads.
Update, March 22:
Mae Whitman, who worked with Graham on Parenthood, will be making a cameo according to TVLine. They report she’ll share a small but fun moment with Lorelai.
Update, March 29:
TVLine reports Stacey Oristano will have a guest starring role in the revival. Oristano had a role in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s in Bunheads.
Who’s not coming back?
The cast of Gilmore Girls is sprawling with several regulars and tons of names who appeared in a handful of the 154 existing episodes. We know a couple of characters who won’t be returning though. Edward Hermann (Richard) sadly passed away in 2014. Melissa McCarthy (Sookie) says she wasn’t asked:
Thanks for the invite, but sadly no one asked me or Sookie to come back to Stars Hollow. Wish them all the best!! https://t.co/II2Atug4wx
— Melissa McCarthy (@melissamccarthy) February 2, 2016
Update, April 7 – She’s back! See above for more information.
How many episodes will there be?
Rumors about the revival said it would be a four-part miniseries comprised of 90-minute episodes titled “Winter,” “Spring,” “Summer,” and “Fall.” That’s true. Graham told TVLine she’s read everything but “Fall” and said that they’re “looong.” Sherman-Palladino said they’re four 90-minute movies; she was inspired by the Sherlock format. Netflix hasn’t said whether they plan to drop all four installments at once, but Sherman-Palladino prefers that they don’t.
Update, May 20:
Everything points to the series being four 90 minute parts following the above season idea. And the newly announced title supports that:
It's official. We know this because now there's a title. #GilmoreGirls pic.twitter.com/kOVW3rEhMk
— Netflix US (@netflix) May 20, 2016
Tada: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. We have an official poster, too:
Update, October 19:
We know Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life will have four episodes: “Summer,” “Spring,” “Winter,” and “Fall.” Netflix has released key art for each season featuring Lorelai and Rory. Behold, “Winter”:
See the other posters in the gallery below. Also in the gallery below, you’ll find the latest and greatest production stills–you’ll see Jess, what looks like Friday Night Dinner, and more!
Should we get our hopes up?
As with any story from the past you love and want to see more of, try to temper expectations. That’s easier said than done, believe me, I know. It’s especially hard to rein in excitement when you see quotes like this one from Graham: “I was completely satisfied with these scripts. It’s what I hoped it would be.” Or these comments from Bishop: “But these scripts are good. They’re really good. And bringing back all of those characters is so delicious. Like Gypsy (played by Scandal‘s Rose Abdoo); I always loved Gypsy. And Paris is a hoot. It’s unbelievable what Amy has written for Paris.”
Sure, they have skewed perspective. Nostalgia and being reunited with friends can turn any pair of glasses into rose-colored ones. But still. I’m optimistic.
Update, September 7:
Thanks to Entertainment Weekly, we can read the first page of the script for the first episode, “Winter.” Be sure to click to enlarge so you can see every beautiful line.
What are your hopes for the continuation of Gilmore Girls? Share them with me in the comments. You can also come share your favorite Gilmore-isms with me on Twitter.
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HT: TVLine, Vulture, Entertainment Weekly
IMAGES: Warner Bros., Yas Kween, Perez Hilton, Gilmor Girls, MTV, BuzzFeed, Netflix
