Johnny Kastl is expected to step back into the acting world for the second season of ABC’s Scrubs revival, with executive producer and showrunner Aseem Batra planning to feature Dr. Doug Murphy in one of the season’s final episodes.

The potential appearance would mark Kastl’s first acting job in nearly two decades. Although his return is not yet final, Batra said the character is included in the team’s current plans as the writers complete the 10-episode season.

“That is my plan,” Batra said. “We’ll see how it all shakes up, but we’re writing two more [episodes], and we have him planned in one of those last two.”

Production is slated to hold a table read this week for Episode 8, which is next to film. Batra and the writing staff are still working on scripts for Episodes 9 and 10.

Kastl played the heavily recurring and notably inept Dr. Doug Murphy in the original series. He left acting in 2009 after completing an eight-episode Scrubs arc and went to law school. He has since worked as an attorney and business executive, most recently serving as vice president of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships for Acorn Finance.

Scott Foley’s Sean Kelly Returns

Kastl is one of several familiar faces targeted for Season 2. Scott Foley is returning as marine biologist Sean Kelly and is expected to first appear in Episode 203. Foley has completed two episodes so far, though Batra said another appearance could be worked into the finale.

Sean’s history with J.D., played by Zach Braff, was shaped by their hostility while Sean dated Elliot, played by Sarah Chalke. Their clashes also produced the recurring line “Nobody cares, Sean,” which a jealous J.D. frequently directed at him.

Batra said the revival wanted to revisit that friction while examining whether the characters have changed.

“We wanted the fun of those dynamics again,” she said. “He and J.D. have such a fun dynamic of not liking each other, but it’s like, have they grown a little? What’s going on there?”

The showrunner also pointed to Foley’s chemistry with the cast and said his story will touch on “the challenges of dating after divorce” and how people’s priorities may have shifted.

Chalke said Sean’s presence also gives the writers a way to unsettle Elliot. Although Elliot is now more comfortable in her job and confident as a doctor, the returning character brings some of her old anxieties back to the surface.

“The writers were like, ‘How do we bring back Elliot’s neuroses?’” Chalke said. “And so they thought that Scott would be a good way to do that.”

Foley’s storyline is currently a short arc, in part because the revival has fewer episodes in which to develop returning characters. Season 2 consists of 10 episodes, while the original show produced between 22 and 25 episodes annually during its first six seasons.

“It’s different telling stories in 10 episodes than it was telling stories when we had 20 plus,” Batra said, explaining that storylines now feel more compact. Even so, she left open the possibility of weaving Foley into the finale as the script takes shape.

Ken Jenkins Will Not Appear in Season 2

One hoped-for comeback will not happen this season. Batra confirmed that Ken Jenkins, who played Dr. Kelso, will not appear in Season 2 despite earlier plans to bring him back.

Batra emphasized that reviving a series requires taking cast members’ health, schedules and personal circumstances into account. She said Jenkins is “doing great,” but explained that some situations are outside the control of both performers and producers.

Braff, who also serves as an executive producer, similarly urged fans to remain mindful of Jenkins’ circumstances. Jenkins is 86 and retired from acting.

“The fans want this so much, and I so respect that, we do too, but I think we just also need to be respectful of his age,” Braff said. “I’ll keep trying, but I think, for currently where he’s at, it’s a bit of a big ask, I’ll just say that.”

What Happens Next?

Neil Flynn is also returning as The Janitor for multiple Season 2 episodes after appearing in the Season 1 finale. Foley’s comeback is already underway, while Kastl’s prospective appearance depends on how the final two scripts develop.

Scrubs Season 2 launches Sept. 30 with a two-episode premiere on ABC. Episodes will stream the following day on Hulu.