Girlfriends Reboot? Fans Manifesting a Reboot of the Iconic Show "Girlfriends"

Rumors Stir: Could the 'Girlfriends' Be Making a Comeback?

​Entertainment Desk—The internet is once again buzzing with whispers of a potential reboot for the beloved early 2000s sitcom, "Girlfriends," after a recent high-profile reunion of its main stars. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the enduring chemistry and shared desire for a proper series conclusion have kept the rumors of a revival—or perhaps a movie—alive and well.

​The fan fervor has intensified following a recent commercial for Tracee Ellis Ross's haircare brand, Pattern Beauty, which featured an unexpected and joyous mini-reunion of Ross with her original co-stars: Golden Brooks (Maya Wilkes), Jill Marie Jones (Toni Childs), and Persia White (Lynn Searcy). The ad, which played on their on-screen friendship, immediately sent fans into nostalgic overdrive, lighting up social media with renewed calls for the quartet to return to television.

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​The Obstacle: Rights and Ross's Doubt

​Despite the overwhelming enthusiasm from the cast and fans, a reboot remains complicated.

​Tracee Ellis Ross, who played the show's central character, Joan Clayton, has previously expressed significant doubt about the show’s return. In a 2024 interview, she stated that while the cast has always been game, she believes "the ship has sailed," citing the complex issue of show ownership.

​"We’ve tried numerous times as a cast to make it happen, but unfortunately, we don’t own the rights to the show,” Ross explained. “We are not the producers. We are not [show creator] Mara Brock Akil, CBS Paramount, or whoever the people are that own the show.”

​Executive Producer and Cast Hold Out Hope

​However, the news isn't all gloom. Persia White and other cast members have been more optimistic about the possibility of a reunion, potentially in the form of a feature film, an idea the show's creator, Mara Brock Akil, is reportedly "into."

​Furthermore, executive producer Kelsey Grammer, who recently saw his own classic sitcom Frasier successfully rebooted, has publicly expressed his eagerness to bring Girlfriends back. In a late 2023 interview, Grammer confirmed that "we're already kicking around ideas," suggesting that high-level conversations are indeed taking place behind the scenes.

​Girlfriends ran for eight seasons, from 2000 to 2008, and was abruptly canceled by The CW network without a proper series finale, leaving a major cliffhanger and a lingering sense of incompletion for its dedicated audience.

​The Future: Movie or Series?

While the legal hurdles are substantial, the success of other recent reboots and the cultural impact of Girlfriends—which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year—suggest that there is a significant appetite for a continuation.

​For now, fans must take heart in the recent commercial reunion, which proved that the chemistry between Joan, Toni, Maya, and Lynn is as vibrant as ever. The question remains whether the powers that be will align to give the iconic 'girlfriends' the proper and long-awaited final chapter they—and their fans—deserve.

​What would you like to see the 'Girlfriends' do next if the show were to return?