When did Will & Grace come out: core timeline
The U.S. television series Will & Grace first came out on September 21, 1998, and ran through eight seasons until its original finale on May 18, 2006. The show later returned with a revival season that premiered on September 28, 2017, continued with a tenth season on September 27, 2018, and concluded its revival run on April 23, 2020. Below is a verified timeline of key broadcast milestones and contextual notes for the series.
Original run (1998–2006)
Will & Grace debuted on NBC in late September 1998 and became a defining sitcom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. After eight seasons and multiple award wins, the network concluded the original run in spring 2006. These dates represent the period when the show was first produced and aired for the initial audience.
Key original-series milestones
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Series premiere | September 21, 1998 | First episode aired on NBC |
| Season highs | Season 4 (2001–2002) and Season 8 (2005–2006) | Measured by Nielsen viewership and cultural footprint |
| Original series finale | May 18, 2006 | NBC concluded the original eight-season run |
Revival and later seasons (2017–2020)
After more than a decade off the air, NBC revived Will & Grace in 2017. The revival aired for several seasons, with production and release dates extending into early 2020. These seasons are treated as continuations rather than a separate reboot, following the original cast and ongoing storylines.
Revival milestones
| Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Revival premiere | September 28, 2017 | Season 9 on NBC |
| Season 10 production | September 27, 2018 onward | Continued story with same cast |
| Revival series finale | April 23, 2020 | Final episode of the revival run |
Format and broadcast context
Will & Grace is a scripted, multi-camera sitcom produced by KoMut Entertainment and Grammnet Productions, originally airing on NBC in the United States. The show is anchored by a core ensemble and has become known for its long-form character arcs across both the original and revival eras.
Comparative snapshot: original vs. revival
- Original series: Eight seasons; premiere September 21, 1998; finale May 18, 2006.
- Revival series: Multiple seasons; premiere September 28, 2017; finale April 23, 2020.
- Network: NBC for both original and revival runs.
- Production companies: KoMut Entertainment and Grammnet Productions throughout.
Common questions and clarifications
Because dates for Will & Grace recur in discussions of streaming, syndication, and awards, it is useful to distinguish between the original series run and the later revival. The show returned as a continuous story rather than as an entirely new version, which matters for cast contracts, ongoing character continuity, and legacy measurement.
Status and syndication notes
Since its finale in 2020, Will & Grace has remained in reruns on various cable and streaming platforms. Its broadcast history consists of the original eight seasons and the subsequent revival, with no new seasons commissioned as of mid-2025. Future releases or anniversary content would be announced through official channels.
Relationship and legacy context
As an evergreen explainer, this timeline focuses on stable facts rather than moment-by-moment news. Will & Grace shaped conversations about LGBTQ representation on broadcast television and maintained high audience interest across its combined original and revival runs. The dates above represent verified broadcast milestones that define when the series came out for viewers over time.