Despite knowing about the fact that Ryan Murphy shared he was considering rebooting Glee, never in my life did I think I would be writing a list of characters who need to return to the series for an upcoming Disney+ reboot. Airing for six seasons from 2009 through 2015, to say Glee was a cultural phenomenon feels like saying the Atlantic Ocean is a puddle. To some, Glee was merely a TV series, but to others, it became a way of life. For many fans, it was an escape as much as it was a cage, but for those of us who watched, it became something to hold dear.
As someone who started watching Glee before its first season even premiered – the pilot was aired in May 2009 ahead of the show’s September debut, the night before Adam Lambert tragically lost American Idol to Kris Allen, and was then released as a freebie on iTunes to rewatch throughout the summer – I feel uniquely qualified to weigh in on which characters we need to revisit upon Glee’s impending return. With a massive cast who appeared throughout the run of the series, the list of names of characters who could come back to Glee feels endless, but those who need to return is a different story.
While there are a few actors who are already confirmed, like Lea Michele who will be reprising the role of Rachel Berry, the Glee-boot needs more than its principal cast to run smoothly. After all, the world of Glee extends far and wide beyond McKinley High, New Directions, or even the later era of Rachel Berry’s New York. For this list, I’m leaving out the characters I expect to see – the Rachel’s, Blaine’s, and Sue’s of the world – and focusing on the plethora of smaller characters I’m hoping to see more of when Glee returns.
20
Dr. Wu
Played by Kenneth Choi
Kenneth Choi, who currently plays LAFD firefighter Howie “Chimney” Han on Ryan Murphy’s long running hit 9-1-1, may not have had a large or substantial role on Glee, but this one is a “hear me out” kind of selection. Choi only played obstetrician Dr. Wu in two episodes during Glee season 1, but the idea of having him make a comeback in the reboot is too good to miss out on. We all know the Murphy universe can be a snake eating its own tail, so Choi being part of the Glee-boot isn’t that impossible of an idea.
19
Bryan Ryan
Played by Neil Patrick Harris
Despite only appearing in a single episode of Glee, Neil Patrick Harris’ Bryan Ryan is one of the most iconic guest stars in the show’s run. His epic performance of Aerosmith’s “Dream On” with Will is one of the foundational moments of the show’s inaugural season, and with the Glee club likely needing some sense of guidance when the series returns, Bryan’s role as a former club member could come in clutch…plus, a Darren Criss/NPH duet would be killer.
18
Cassandra July
Played by Kate Hudson
Despite the fact that Cassandra July (Kate Hudson) only appeared in Glee season 4 and left the series with a less-than-stellar reputation, a return (even a minor one) could be an interesting way into Rachel’s New York life. Hudson’s never better than when she’s giving it her all in a performance, and we didn’t get to see enough of her in the original series, so a quick look at what’s going on with Cassie July would be worth it.
17
Sebastian Smythe
Played by Grant Gustin
Prior to his time as Barry Allen, Grant Gustin’s evil Dalton Academy Warbler, Sebastian Smythe, was a defining role for the actor. Sebastian appeared in three separate seasons of Glee, and while he wasn’t a consistent character, he could absolutely return to be a disruptor in the Glee-boot’s universe. Gustin, who most memorably performed an epic duet of “Smooth Criminal” with the late Naya Rivera, would be a great nod to the mid-series addition of Dalton Academy.
16
Shelby Corcoran
Played by Idina Menzel
As Rachel’s biological mother and the adoptive mother of Quinn and Puck’s daughter, Beth, Shelby Corcoran (Idina Menzel) plays an interesting role in the Glee universe. While there will be some less than ideal circumstances to navigate around Beth, if she’s mentioned in or a part of the reboot, Shelby being a part of the series would make sense in some capacity regardless. Besides, the chance to see an Idina Menzel performance isn’t one any self-respecting Glee fan would pass up.
15
Harmony
Played by Lindsay Pearce
While The Glee Project may have been a short-lived reality series that bled into the franchise, there were several characters that were born of the competition. Glee season 3 saw Lindsay Pearce, one of the runner-ups of the first season, join in for two episodes, including the season’s first where she performed an iconic mashup of “Anything Goes” and “Anything You Can Do” for Rachel and Kurt. While her character, Harmony, was another NYADA hopeful and faded into the background, she’d made for a great competitive foil for Rachel in the present.
14
April Rhodes
Played by Kristin Chenoweth
Much like the justification for bringing Menzel back into the Glee fold, bringing Kristin Chenoweth’s April Rhodes back to the series feels like a no-brainier, even if there isn’t a ton of logic behind it. April, who was last seen toasting with Holly Holiday after saving the McKinley High auditorium, may be a wildcard, but Chenoweth’s ability to make the character likeable while maintaining her lack of decorum needs to be studied in the present tense.
13
Holly Holiday
Played by Gwyneth Paltrow
Speaking of Holly Holiday, given Gwyneth Paltrow’s proximity to the Glee-boot in that her husband Brad Falchuk is one of the three minds behind it, it seems more likely than not that we could see her pop up. While Holly’s last appearance on the show, during the epic 100th episode, was more of her scheming, seeing Paltrow step back into her character with some time removed would likely bring a whole new Holly to the stage.
12
Roz Washington
Played by NeNe Leakes
An adversary for Sue, Olympian and swim coach Roz Washington (NeNe Leakes) popped up during Glee season 3 and continued to make appearances on the show through its end. While Roz wasn’t always actively involved in the Glee club’s business, she was someone who could go toe to toe with Sue and genuinely give her a run for her money. Watching Real Housewives veteran NeNe Leakes deliver iconic one-liners in a tracksuit is a never-ending need, so Roz should be a lock to return.
11
Jake Puckerman
Played by Jacob Artist
Another “hear me out” choice, maybe, but I loved the era of Jake Puckerman (Jacob Artist). Again, there would be a need to skillfully move around the Puck of the story, but there was so much more to Jake than his brother or his last name. Artist, who’s a tremendous performer in his own right, deserves to be featured in more performances than he was during his original turn on the series, and his character deserves to be more fleshed out as an adult.
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