Zach Braff Gets Pilot Commitment at ABC for New Show Start Up

Zach Braff is returning to the small screen. According to Deadline, the former Scrubs star has been given a pilot commitment from ABC called Start Up, which Braff will both star in and direct.

Start Up is a single-camera comedy based on the podcast of the same name by Alex Blumberg. It will focus on a man in his mid-thirties (Braff) who leaves his job in order to start a small business. Braff’s character will have a wife and two children, and the whole family will be forced to adjust following the change.

For Start Up, Braff will be teaming up with Scrubs producer Matt Tarses. Tarses will be writing the pilot, and he will also be a producer on the show. ABC landed the project after a competitive process that involved pursuit by multiple networks.

Lately, Braff has largely focused on feature films, like 2014’s Wish I Was Here. His most recent project involved directing Going In Style, a film starring Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin and Michael Caine. Braff’s starring role on Scrubs began on NBC before being moved to ABC.

Although Start Up was reportedly a much-sought-after property, its title will likely change, as it currently shares its name with a Crackle drama series. Whatever the series ends up being called, it’s likely to be one of next year’s most anticipated new shows. Let’s hope Braff can bring the magical comedy and drama of Scrubs back to the small screen.