The Will & Grace Cast: Where Are They Now? Shocking New Projects For McCormack, Messing, Mullally, And Hayes In 2025
The iconic quartet from Will & Grace—Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes—have proven that life after the highly successful revival series is just as busy, with each star launching into major new projects across television, film, and the stage as of December 21, 2025. After the beloved sitcom wrapped its second run (the original series aired from 1998 to 2006, followed by the revival from 2017 to 2020), fans wondered if the four friends would ever share a screen again. While a third revival remains a dream for many, the cast is currently dominating the entertainment landscape with a slate of surprising and diverse roles that showcase their incredible versatility.
From a new musical on the West Coast to a thriller series on a premium network and a one-man show in New York, the actors who brought Will Truman, Grace Adler, Karen Walker, and Jack McFarland to life are busier than ever. This deep dive reveals the complete biographical profiles of the main cast and gives you the definitive, up-to-the-minute details on their most exciting ventures in the current year, proving the "Will & Grace Effect" is still going strong.
The Main Cast: Complete Biographical Profiles
The core four actors of Will & Grace are an inseparable part of television history, each earning critical acclaim and a dedicated global fanbase for their roles. This is a complete look at the stars behind the legendary characters.
- Eric McCormack (Will Truman)
- Full Name: Eric James McCormack
- Born: April 18, 1963
- Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Role: Will Truman, a successful, gay corporate lawyer who shares an apartment with his best friend, Grace Adler.
- Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (2001).
- Debra Messing (Grace Adler)
- Full Name: Debra Lynn Messing
- Born: August 15, 1968
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
- Role: Grace Adler, an interior designer with a dramatic flair and Will’s lifelong best friend and roommate.
- Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2003).
- Megan Mullally (Karen Walker)
- Full Name: Megan Mullally
- Born: November 12, 1958
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Role: Karen Walker, a wealthy, eccentric, and perpetually inebriated socialite who works as Grace's assistant.
- Awards: Two Primetime Emmy Awards and four Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
- Sean Hayes (Jack McFarland)
- Full Name: Sean Patrick Hayes
- Born: June 26, 1970
- Birthplace: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, U.S.
- Role: Jack McFarland, Will's flamboyant, often unemployed, and highly theatrical friend.
- Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2000), and a Tony Award for his stage work.
The Latest High-Profile Projects for the Will & Grace Stars (2025/2026)
The four main actors have strategically chosen projects that highlight their range, moving beyond the familiar New York City apartment and into thrillers, musicals, and prestigious hosting roles. The current slate of work is arguably the most diverse of their post-sitcom careers.
Eric McCormack Takes a Dark Turn in a New Thriller Series
Eric McCormack, who defined the role of the straight-laced Will Truman, has been focusing on more dramatic and suspenseful roles. His latest high-profile project is the MGM+ Original Series Nine Bodies In A Mexican Morgue. This thrilling new series, which premiered with significant buzz, sees McCormack leading an ensemble cast in a mystery set in a remote location, a stark contrast to the comfortable, joke-a-minute pace of a multi-camera sitcom.
McCormack has discussed the appeal of diving into a genre that allows him to explore the darker side of human nature, a shift from his Emmy-winning portrayal of Will. His return to the world of thrillers, following his work on *Perception* and *Travelers*, confirms his status as a versatile leading man in both comedy and suspense.
Debra Messing and Megan Mullally Return to the Stage
Both Debra Messing and Megan Mullally are making major headlines with highly anticipated returns to the stage, a nod to their theatrical roots.
Debra Messing, the star behind Grace Adler, is set to host the prestigious 2025 Annual Drama Desk Awards, celebrating excellence in New York theater. Beyond this high-profile hosting gig, she is also involved in the new weekly YouTube series *And They're Jewish*, premiering in April 2025, where she and other stars discuss their personal lives and cultural identity. Messing's continued work as an activist and public figure often complements her acting career, maintaining her strong presence in the cultural conversation.
Meanwhile, Megan Mullally (Karen Walker) is set to star in the world premiere musical *Iceboy!* in 2025, a major theatrical undertaking from the creators of *Urinetown*. Known for her incredible comedic timing and vocal talent—often showcased through Karen's random bursts of song—Mullally’s move to a new musical is a perfect fit for her unique skills. In addition to her musical role, she will also be appearing alongside her husband, Nick Offerman, in the Vivid Sydney Global Storyteller series in 2025.
Sean Hayes Dominates Film and Broadway
Sean Hayes, whose portrayal of Jack McFarland earned him an Emmy and countless fans, is perhaps the busiest of the four, with projects spanning film, stage, and podcasting. Hayes is slated to star in the new Off-Broadway one-person play *The Unknown*, with a limited run starting in early 2026. This challenging solo show by writer David Cale is a significant artistic move for the actor, who has previously won a Tony Award for his work on Broadway.
On the film front, Hayes has signed on for two major upcoming projects: Paramount’s *The Running Man* and Searchlight’s *Is This Thing On*, the latter of which is directed by Bradley Cooper. These roles confirm his continued ascent in Hollywood’s A-list. Furthermore, his hit podcast, *SmartLess*, co-hosted with Jason Bateman and Will Arnett, continues to be a massive success, showcasing his comedic genius in a new medium.
The Enduring Legacy and Topical Authority of Will & Grace
The success of the main cast is inextricably linked to the groundbreaking legacy of the show itself. Created by Max Mutchnick and David Kohan, Will & Grace was more than just a sitcom; it was a cultural phenomenon that ran for 11 seasons across two distinct eras.
The show is widely credited with the "Will & Grace Effect," a term used to describe its profound positive impact on the American public's attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community and gay representation on television. The series’ willingness to tackle sensitive topics with humor and heart made it a milestone in television history.
In total, the series earned an astonishing 18 Primetime Emmy Awards out of 96 nominations, with all four main actors securing at least one Emmy for their performances. The show’s production was also marked by the consistent, expert direction of James Burrows, who directed every episode of the original run, cementing its iconic four-person, multi-camera style.
Key Entities and Recurring Characters
The show’s topical authority is further supported by a deep bench of memorable recurring characters and A-list guest stars. These entities are vital to the show’s enduring appeal:
- Rosario Salazar: Karen Walker’s sharp-tongued maid, played by the late Shelley Morrison, whose banter with Karen became legendary.
- Leo Markus: Grace’s husband, played by Harry Connick Jr., whose on-again, off-again relationship with Grace provided a major dramatic arc.
- Beverley Leslie: Karen's tiny, wealthy arch-nemesis, played by the late Leslie Jordan, whose flamboyant personality and iconic catchphrases made him a fan favorite.
- Michael Angarano: Played Jack’s son, Elliot, in the original series, before the character was recast for the revival.
- Iconic Guest Stars: The series was renowned for its impressive roster of celebrity cameos, including Madonna, Britney Spears, Glenn Close (as Fannie Lieber), Sharon Stone, and Demi Lovato, all of whom added to the show’s cultural footprint.
The latest projects from Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally, and Sean Hayes confirm that the cast of Will & Grace continues to be a major force in the entertainment industry. Their ability to pivot from a beloved, long-running sitcom into a wide array of demanding, contemporary roles in 2025 and 2026 is a true testament to their talent and enduring star power.
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