Ryan Murphy has once again raised the possibility of returning to the world of Glee, prompting an immediate and sharply divided response from fans of the musical comedy.
The producer was attending the New York premiere of his new series, The Shards, on Monday, 27 July, when People asked him to reflect on the programme he helped turn into an international pop-culture phenomenon.
Although the reporter did not directly ask whether he was planning a reboot, remake or reunion, Murphy volunteered that a return to Glee had crossed his mind.
“Well, I loved them all. I had a great time making that show,” Murphy said of the original cast.
“That show is interesting because it’s come back around. So many young people now watch it. And I’m like, ‘Maybe we should revisit that show.’”
“A New Incarnation”
Murphy did not explain whether revisiting Glee would mean a reboot with new characters, a revival involving members of the original cast, a reunion special or another type of project.
However, he suggested his affection for the series and its continuing popularity could be enough to justify exploring a fresh version.
“My nostalgia and love for that show is enough that I’m like, ‘Well, maybe people would like to see a new incarnation of that in some capacity.’ So yeah, I love that show and I loved what it became and what it meant to so many people,” he said.
For now, no new Glee production has been announced or officially placed in development.
Murphy’s comments nevertheless attracted attention because of the series’ enduring cultural footprint and its renewed popularity among younger viewers discovering it through streaming and social media.
It is also not the first time he has entertained the idea. Murphy previously discussed the possibility of revisiting Glee as a television programme, Broadway musical or wider entertainment brand, while co-creator Brad Falchuk has also considered how its themes might translate to a new generation.
Fans Say “Leave Glee Alone”
The latest remarks quickly divided viewers.
Some fans welcomed the possibility of returning to McKinley High School and introducing a new generation to the programme’s mixture of music, comedy, teen drama and queer storytelling.
“Would be nice to have that back again,” one person wrote in response to the interview.
Others argued that the original series should remain untouched.
“Please don’t!” another user wrote. “The original is soooo damn good we don’t need a new one for a new generation. Let the new generation enjoy the original. My gosh not everything needs a reboot.”
A fan named Lindsey agreed, writing: “Leave Glee alone. Not everything needs a reboot; this show is one of them.”
“Glee worked because it was during a time where the content (unhinged jokes & lines) could be aired without the repercussions of what it would face today. and besides, nothing could even begin to come close to the original cast & the impact they had on so many of us.”
Another viewer suggested a modern version “would never work bc it couldn’t be as unhinged”.
Some Viewers Want a Modern McKinley High
Not everybody dismissed the idea.
A fan named Eddie said a revival could work if it expanded the range of identities and social groups represented at the school.
“Yes – and introduce all the nuance ‘clique’ experiences – the classic – Jocks – Cheerleaders – emos – nerds – non binary / trans – shake the block a little lol,” he wrote.
Another social-media user reacted more cautiously, asking of Murphy: “Is he not traumatised enough?”
A fan using the name Chicago argued that any revival would need to balance the show’s legacy with the expectations of modern audiences.
“Glee left a lasting mark on television by blending music, comedy, and drama in a way that resonated with millions,” they wrote.
“If Ryan Murphy decides it’s time to bring it back, the challenge will be creating a revival that honours the original while connecting with a new generation of viewers.”
The majority of the most visible reactions appeared sceptical, with many fans arguing that the original cast, cultural moment and deliberately chaotic tone could not be replicated.
A Major LGBTQ+ Television Legacy
Created by Murphy, Falchuk and Ian Brennan, Glee followed the members of a struggling high-school show choir in fictional Lima, Ohio.
The series premiered in 2009 and ran for six seasons before concluding in 2015. It earned 40 Emmy nominations and won six, while its cast recordings became major commercial successes.
The programme helped bring queer characters and relationships into mainstream young-adult television at a time when that representation remained far less common.
Storylines involving Kurt Hummel, Blaine Anderson, Santana Lopez, Brittany Pierce and transgender student Unique Adams became particularly significant to LGBTQ+ viewers.
The programme was also criticised during and after its run for inconsistent storytelling, offensive jokes, mishandled social issues and behind-the-scenes controversies.
Those contradictions are part of what makes the idea of a revival so contentious. For some viewers, Glee was groundbreaking and deeply personal. For others, it is inseparable from a particular period of television that would be difficult to reproduce responsibly.
Murphy Has Not Made a Decision
Murphy’s comments should not be interpreted as confirmation that a reboot is moving forward.
They indicate that he remains emotionally connected to the programme and is open to considering a “new incarnation” if audiences are interested.
Whether that idea becomes a television series, reunion, stage production or nothing at all remains unknown.
For the moment, the only certainty is that even the suggestion of more Glee is enough to restart one of fandom’s most passionate debates.
