Jared Padalecki is returning to Gilmore Girls, reprising his role as Dean Forester in Netflix’s four-part revival series.
Variety has also learned that David Sutcliffe, who played Rory Gilmore’s (Alexis Bledel) father Chris, is also returning.
In addition to stars Bledel and Lauren Graham, Padalecki and Sutcliffe join previously announced returning cast members Milo Ventimiglia (Jess), Matt Czuchry (Logan), Liza Weil (Paris), Kelly Bishop (Emily), Sean Gunn (Kirk), Scott Patterson (Luke), Keiko Agena (Lane) and Yanic Truesdale (Michel). Sutton Foster, who starred in Bunheads from Gilmore Girls creator Amy Sherman-Palladino, and is now starring in Younger from TV Land, has also joined the Netflix project. Sutton is the first new actor to be added to the cast alongside the show’s returning favorites.
With Padalecki’s returning, Rory will be reuniting with all three of her exes in the revival series: Dean (Padalecki), Jess (Ventimiglia) and Logan (Czuchry). Oh, my drama batman, this will be fun and epic.
Padalecki was part of the original series from the pilot, going on to become Rory’s first serious boyfriend and the partner with whom she eventually lost her virginity, despite Dean being married to another woman at the time. The duo were on again/off again for several seasons, with Padalecki making his final appearance in Season 5 before going on to star in another drama, Supernatural, for what was then the WB network (now The CW). Now in its eleventh season, Padalecki has been on the fan-favorite show ever since, playing Sam Winchester, who fights demons and paranormal phenomena alongside his brother — also ironically called Dean — played by Jensen Ackles.
Well what do you FANdemaniacs think about the latest cast members added to the Gilmore Girls revival? We want to hear from you in the comments below.
