Ten new episodes for NBC

Will & Grace is returning for ten more episodes, it has officially been confirmed.

News of the sitcom’s return to the NBC network follows the success of a one-off extended sketch released ahead of the US presidential elections last year.

Debra Messing,  Eric McCormack, Sean Hayes and Megan Mullally will all return for the new series, which will air in the 2017-2018 season.

Messing tweeted today: ‘It’s official!!! The gang is getting back together.’

Will & Grace creators Max Mutchnick and David Kohan and original director James Burrows are all involved too.

‘We're thrilled that one of the smartest, funniest, and most defining comedies in NBC history is coming back," NBC's Robert Greenblatt said in a statement.

'This groundbreaking series for everything from gay rights to social and political commentary— all disguised as a high-speed train of witty pop culture — is coming back where it belongs.’

Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment, added: ‘We started talking with Mutchnick and Kohan about producing new episodes right after they shot the secret reunion show back in September, and the fact that all four of the original stars were excited about getting back into production is a testament to the joyful experience they had doing nearly 200 episodes for eight seasons 

‘Few things cut through the clutter these days, especially in comedy, and Will and Grace is one of the best.’

The sitcom, which ran from 1998 to 2006, was nominated for 83 Emmys, winning 16 of them.

Here is the ten-minute election special, which has almost 10million views on YouTube:

Published: 18 Jan 2017