The award-winning comedy sees Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes return for the series’ revival

Channel 5 and NBCUniversal International Distribution have announced the return of cultural TV phenomenon, Will & Grace, to British TV screens. The brand new series will make its exclusive UK premiere on Channel 5 at 10pm on Friday 5th January 2018.

Just over a decade after their unforgettable eight-season run, the announcement marks the highly anticipated return of comedy’s most fabulous foursome and the creative team behind them, including creators/executive producers, Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, and legendary director, James Burrows. Debra Messing, Eric McCormack, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes reprise their infamous roles as Will Truman (McCormack), Grace Adler (Messing), Karen Walker (Mullally) and Jack McFarland (Hayes) in this exclusive 16-episode first season, as well as a 13-episode second season.

Katie Keenan, VP, Acquisitions, Channel 5 and VIMN UK said “Will & Grace is one of the greatest comedy shows of our time, so we’re thrilled to see it return to TV screens. With the hugely talented cast reprising their roles and tackling the issues of today with their razor-sharp wit, Will & Grace will become ‘must-see’ television in 2018. This deal follows the confirmation that The X-Files will return in early 2018, demonstrating our appetite for the best content across the world.”

Will & Grace originally premiered in September 1998 and ran until 2006. Over the course of the show, it garnered 16 Emmy® wins and 83 nominations, along with a multitude of other prestigious award wins/nominations, making Will & Grace one of television’s most critically acclaimed series and one of the most influential shows in the last 20 years for the LGBT community.

Will & Grace airs on Channel 5, Fridays at 10pm from 5th January 2018.

About Channel 5
Channel 5 launched as Britain's fifth public service channel in March 1997 and has been owned by Viacom International Media Networks since September 2014. Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA and Spike reach 4 in 5 of the UK viewing public each month with a broad mix of popular content for all the family across entertainment, documentaries, sport, drama from the UK and US, films, reality, comedy, children’s and news. My5 is a new service allowing viewers to watch content online for free from Channel 5, 5STAR, 5USA, and Spike.

About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA and COLORS. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.

About NBCUniversal International Distribution
NBCUniversal International Distribution is responsible for the distribution of NBCUniversal product to all forms of television and new media to over 200 territories outside of the U.S. and Canada. This includes a rich library of more than 4,500 feature films and 120,000 television episodes, including current and classic titles, non-scripted programming, kids, sports, news, long-form and short-form programming, and locally produced content from around the world.