The return of Glee is official, and, less than 24 hours after the revival order by Disney+ and Hulu, the first rumors about the familiar faces who could come back in the new series are already circulating. And while the name of Lea Michele seems almost certain to be confirmed, additional clues come directly from the social media of the original actors—nostalgic photos, enigmatic messages, and reunions that make fans dream. Ryan Murphy, the creator of the show together with Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, has reportedly already initiated contact with about ten members of the original cast to assess a possible return. Not everyone, however, has spoken their mind, and given how lively the behind-the-scenes of the show has been, some hypotheses are far from obvious. Here’s everything we know so far.
Glee: Lea Michele to Return as Rachel Berry?
The name circulating with insistent buzz is Lea Michele, the actress who portrayed Rachel Berry for all six seasons of the series, which aired from 2009 to 2015. According to Variety, citing several sources close to the project, the actress would be weighing a return to the role that made her famous to a wide audience. The rumors, however, seem to go beyond a mere possibility: one source reportedly told the outlet that “She’s in,” implying Michele’s participation is practically certain. From the very first episode, Rachel’s character was introduced as a determined young woman who aimed to break into show business, willing to do anything to realize her Broadway dream. The Glee finale, set in 2020 after a time jump, had shown Rachel winning her first Tony Award and becoming a surrogate mother for Kurt Hummel and Blaine Anderson.
The alleged on-set controversies between Lea Michele and her Glee colleagues
Yet, Lea Michele’s name remains one of the less predictable ones. In June 2020, the actress found herself at the center of heavy controversy after former co-star Samantha Ware publicly described her experiences on set, denouncing humiliating conduct and a difficult working environment. Other testimonies had fed into the criticisms directed at the lead, with some former colleagues accusing her of diva-like attitudes and bullying behavior. Michele later apologized for her conduct, calling it unnecessarily difficult, and she recounted having had important and clarifying conversations with some people behind the scenes. It is not clear, however, to what extent her relationships with all the former set teammates have been mended. The potential return of Rachel Berry could thus be one of the most anticipated reunions, but also one of the most delicate.
Heather Morris, Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer and the Others: Who Might Return?
Besides Lea Michele, Heather Morris also seems intent on resuming the role of Brittany S. Pierce. The actress posted on Instagram with a tongue-in-cheek message declaring that her character is “alive and well” and “back for Glee.” Brittany was one of the series’ most beloved stars, partly thanks to her romance with Santana Lopez, played by the late Naya Rivera. Another name that has caught fans’ attention is Chord Overstreet, who played Sam Evans, who shared on social media a post alluding to a cast reunion. The situation surrounding Chris Colfer, who portrayed Kurt Hummel, is more uncertain: in an interview with Bustle, the actor stressed how difficult it would be to return to the set after Rivera’s passing, while acknowledging the strong bond between the audience and the series. Also the recent reunion with Darren Criss, who played Blaine Anderson, at the Royal Albert Hall in London, where the two performed Baby, It’s Cold Outside, has reignited fans’ hopes. Meanwhile, Jenna Ushkowitz, who played Tina Cohen-Chang, has shared behind-the-scenes photos with the caption “QUEEN T,” while Jane Lynch, the unforgettable Sue Sylvester, has reiterated the revival news on social media, though without confirming her participation.
What Will the Plot of the Glee Reboot Be?
The Glee revival has officially received the green light from Disney+ and Hulu and will be produced by 20th Television, the same studio that produced the original series. Ryan Murphy has worked on the new script alongside his longtime collaborators Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, but no official plot details have been released yet. One of the most plausible theories is a sequel set once again at William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, with a new generation of students ready to carry on the New Directions’ legacy, the school choir at the heart of the series. The original characters could return as adults, perhaps in the roles of teachers, mentors, or special guests, creating a bridge between the past and the present. Another possibility is a reunion of the alumni, which would allow telling what happened to their lives after the 2015 finale. For now, these are just hypotheses: no official synopsis or release date has been announced. The interest from younger generations in the series, however, would have convinced Murphy to revisit that universe of music, friendships, rivalries, first loves, and stories of teens trying to find their place in the world. It remains to be officially revealed which familiar faces we will actually see back on screen, but we will keep you constantly updated.
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