Will & Grace
Will & Grace
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Will & Grace

"Where there's a Will there's a Grace."

6.9
Yr 1998
Rt 22m
Status Ended
Comedy
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

Will Truman and Grace Adler are best friends living in New York, and when Grace's engagement falls apart, she moves in with Will. Together, along with their friends, they go through the trials of dating, sex, relationships and their careers, butting heads at times but ultimately supporting one another while exchanging plenty of witty banter along the way.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 85 /100

Will & Grace is widely regarded as a trailblazing sitcom that successfully broke television taboos by centering on openly gay main characters. Upon its 1998 debut, critics praised the series for its snappy writing, sharp comedic touch, and strong ensemble cast, often comparing its cultural impact favorably to staples like Friends and Seinfeld.

While some retrospective assessments note the show's occasionally fussy depictions of gay life or its reliance on traditional sitcom tropes, the consensus remains that it was a uniquely refreshing and influential comedy. Its legacy is cemented by its historical significance in representation and its ability to consistently entertain audiences through witty character dynamics.

“A big winner, hilarious, and one of the sharpest, well-acted sitcoms.”

“Good acting, intriguing relationships and some of the best supporting actors in any series make the show easy to endorse.”

“In addition to good direction, Will & Grace has the attractive cast and snappy writing that most comedies never have the luck or skill to achieve.”

“In its initial seasons it was a uniquely refreshing addition to the comedy scene, as it sought neither to teach moral lessons nor to be 'woke,' but rather simply to entertain.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Hulu
US
Crave
CA
CTV
CA
Show 2 more
Sky Go
UK
Now TV
UK
Why fans love it

The sitcom landscape shifted slightly in 1998 when Will Truman and Grace Adler set up house in New York City. The series grounds its humor in the decades-long platonic chemistry between two leads navigating the turbulence of Big Apple dating and professional life. While the core premise relies on the classic roommate dynamic, the show distinguishes itself by anchoring personal growth in a circle of close friends who prioritize their chosen family above traditional conventions.

Megan Mullally delivers a performance that operates on a frequency entirely its own, cutting through scenes with a sharp, singular rhythm. The writing consistently leans on fast-paced verbal sparring rather than low-stakes punchlines, turning standard relationship dilemmas into platforms for biting observational comedy. By balancing the messy realities of sex and career progression with a persistent, dry wit, the series captures the specific friction that defines young adulthood in a crowded city.

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 4
Longest run 194 eps
Eric McCormack
Eric McCormack
as Will Truman
194 episodes
Debra Messing
Debra Messing
as Grace Adler
194 episodes
Sean Hayes
Sean Hayes
as Jack McFarland
194 episodes
Megan Mullally
Megan Mullally
as Karen Walker
194 episodes
Josh Keaton
Josh Keaton
as Salvatore
2 episodes
Dave Foley
Dave Foley
as Stuart Lamarack
5 episodes
Tim Curry
Tim Curry
as Marion Finster
2 episodes
John Slattery
John Slattery
as Sam Truman
2 episodes
Show 67 more
Sara Rue as Joyce Adler 2 episodes Patrick Dempsey as Matthew 3 episodes Jo Marie Payton as Mrs. Freeman 6 episodes Corey Parker as Josh 5 episodes Parker Posey as Dorleen 2 episodes Sandra Bernhard as Sandra Bernhard 2 episodes Alec Baldwin as Malcolm Widmark 6 episodes Rosanna Arquette as Julie 2 episodes Gene Wilder as Mr. Stein 2 episodes Harry Connick Jr. as Leo Markus 24 episodes Jamie Kaler as Gary 5 episodes Judith Ivey as Eleanor Markus 3 episodes John Cleese as Lyle Finster (uncredited) 4 episodes Gregory Hines as Ben Doucette 8 episodes Brent Sexton as Prison Guard 2 episodes Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Ro 2 episodes Kari Lizer as Connie 2 episodes Branden Williams as Scott 2 episodes Jason Stuart as Stuart 2 episodes Sydney Pollack as George Truman 5 episodes Steven Weber as Sam Truman 2 episodes Kevin Bacon as Kevin Bacon 2 episodes Leigh-Allyn Baker as Ellen 20 episodes Minnie Driver as Lorraine Finster 6 episodes Tim Bagley as Larry 14 episodes Mark Harelik as Tim 3 episodes Jeff Goldblum as Scott Woolley 3 episodes Rip Torn as Lionel Banks 4 episodes Dan Futterman as Barry 4 episodes Laura Kightlinger as Nurse Sheila 7 episodes Michael Angarano as Elliot 13 episodes Lee Garlington as Annette 2 episodes Lily Tomlin as Margot 2 episodes Shelley Morrison as Rosario Salazar 67 episodes Kenneth Mars as Uncle Sid 2 episodes Taye Diggs as James Hanson 4 episodes Bobby Cannavale as Vince D'Angelo 16 episodes Lesley Ann Warren as Tina 5 episodes Edward Burns as Nick 3 episodes Emily Rutherfurd as Joanne 4 episodes Woody Harrelson as Nathan 8 episodes Blythe Danner as Marilyn Truman 11 episodes Cher as Cher 2 episodes Bridget Flanery as Viv Cassidy 2 episodes Landry Allbright as Nancy 2 episodes Tom Verica as Danny 2 episodes John Ducey as Jamie 5 episodes Eileen Brennan as Zandra 6 episodes Neil Vipond as Julius 5 episodes Suzanne Pleshette as Lois Whitley 3 episodes Robert Costanzo as Paul 2 episodes Eric Stoltz as Tom Cassidy 2 episodes Leslie Jordan as Beverley Leslie 13 episodes Debbie Reynolds as Bobbi Adler 12 episodes Rachel Quaintance as Roz 2 episodes Ever Carradine as Pam 2 episodes Molly Shannon as Val Bassett 5 episodes Jerry Levine as Joe 11 episodes Charles C. Stevenson Jr. as Smitty 6 episodes Sam Pancake as Jimmy 3 episodes Jennifer Lopez as Jennifer Lopez 3 episodes Mathew Botuchis as Dave 8 episodes Marshall Manesh as Mr. Zamir 7 episodes Tom Gallop as Rob 17 episodes Steve Paymer as Steve 4 episodes Gary Grubbs as Harlin Polk 9 episodes Amy Crofoot as Female Student 3 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Will & Grace overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

new york city dating lgbt sitcom
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
September 21, 1998
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
22 minutes
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
559