After weeks of speculation, Glee is officially getting an encore. Disney+ and Hulu have announced the musical dramedy’s return, more than a decade after its 2015 finale.
The show centered on musically inclined students at William McKinley High School in Lima, Ohio, who were members of New Directions, the school’s glee club. The series delivered exhilarating musical numbers and also addressed social issues.
Glee was a juggernaut, so actors lined up to guest star. Casting details are still forthcoming; EBONY has a few requests. Here are the guest stars we’d love to see return — and the stories worth giving them.
NeNe Leakes as Roz Washington
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Roaring 20th star brought her formidable comic timing to Olympic bronze medalist Roz Washington, introduced in season three as McKinley’s synchronized swimming coach. Appearing through season six, Roz also coached the Cheerios and proved she could match Sue Sylvester insult for insult. Leakes could move up to regular cast member as McKinley’s principal, bringing her competitive instincts and outrageous commentary to running an arts-focused school.
Eve as Grace Hitchens
The “Let Me Blow Ya Mind” rapper appeared in season one as Grace Hitchens, choir director at Jane Addams Academy, a school for girls involved in the juvenile justice system. Sue recruited Grace into a scheme involving New Directions’ stolen set list, but Grace eventually tried to come clean. She could return as the leader of a championship choir whose students have distinct personalities and ambitions, giving New Directions a compelling rival.
Whoopi Goldberg as Carmen Tibideaux
Introduced in season three and appearing through season five, Carmen Tibideaux was NYADA’s formidable dean and a consequential judge of Rachel Berry’s and Kurt Hummel’s potential. With her EGOT status, Goldberg had no trouble playing this role. She could pop back in to recruit a gifted Black student whose unconventional audition challenges Carmen to reconsider how her institution recognizes talent.
Brian Stokes Mitchell as LeRoy Berry
Broadway great Brian Stokes Mitchell debuted in season three as LeRoy Berry, one of Rachel’s two theatrically inclined fathers, alongside Jeff Goldblum’s Hiram. Their arrival gave viewers a closer look at the interracial, two-dad household Rachel had long described. Mitchell returned in season six as the couple’s marriage unraveled, although LeRoy’s own life remained largely unexplored. As Rachel’s supportive father, he could support her while rediscovering his own performing ambitions, giving Mitchell a chance to showcase his musical artistry.
Aisha Tyler as Jake’s Mother
Aisha Tyler guested on the show as Jake Puckerman’s (Jacob Artist) mother in season four’s “Glee, Actually.” At a Christmas gathering Jake and Puck arranged, she met Puck’s mother, another woman raising a son fathered by the same absent man. She could return as Jake’s fiercely funny mother, supporting his creative career while pursuing an exciting new chapter of her own.
Tyra Banks as Bichette
Tyra Banks appeared in season five’s “Movin’ Out” as Bichette, playing a role she knows inside and out. As the modeling agency boss evaluating Sam Evans’ prospects in New York, she assessed Sam’s appearance and exposed the unforgiving body standards awaiting him, even with his good looks. Banks could make a cameo as a scout looking for the club’s viral breakout star, someone who doesn’t fit the conventional looks the industry once demanded.
Gary Dourdan as DeShawn
The soulful actor guest-starred in the Season 5 episode titled “The Back-Up Plan,” where he played D’Shawn, a music record producer working with Mercedes Jones, formidably played by Amber Riley. As we’re all rooting for Amber Riley to reprise her role as Mercedes, D’Shawn could return as part of her success story.
Billy Dee Williams as Andy Collins
Billy Dee Williams appeared as a retirement-home resident in season five’s “Old Dog, New Tricks.” Kurt’s involvement in the home’s production of Peter Pan brought him into the orbit of characters played by Williams, June Squibb and the late Tim Conway. We’d love to see even a glimpse of Williams as the students continue partnering with the retirement home to bring music and joy to its halls.