Disney+ and Hulu have ordered a revival of the hit musical series, and the original cast is already weighing in. For cheerleading fans, the return raises one particularly nostalgic question: Could Sue Sylvester and the Cheerios be making a comeback?
Eleven years after Glee took its final bow, McKinley High School could be welcoming a new generation of students — and possibly a new squad of Cheerios.
Disney+ and Hulu announced Wednesday, Oct. 21, that the award-winning musical comedy is officially returning, with 20th Television producing the new series. A premiere date, storyline and returning cast have not yet been announced.
Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, Glee originally aired on Fox from 2009 to 2015. While the series followed the students of the New Directions show choir, cheerleading was anything but a background activity.
From Sue Sylvester's relentless pursuit of championships to the friendships, rivalries and relationships among Quinn Fabray, Santana Lopez and Brittany Pierce, the Cheerios became some of the show's most recognizable characters.
And with a reboot officially on the way, fans have more than a few reasons to revisit those red-and-white uniforms.
What the Original Cast Is Saying About the Return
Murphy confirmed in September that he and the show's original creators had completed a script for the revival. He also revealed that he had spoken with approximately 10 former cast members about returning.
According to Murphy, the actors had questions about the proposed revival but were enthusiastic about the possibility. That interest, however, has not translated into an officially announced cast.
Lea Michele, who played Rachel Berry, has expressed interest in revisiting her role. Jane Lynch, who portrayed Cheerios coach Sue Sylvester, has also indicated that she would be open to returning — particularly welcome news for fans hoping the show's cheerleading storylines will continue.
Not everyone is ready to revisit McKinley High.
Amber Riley, who played Mercedes Jones, has previously expressed reservations about reuniting the original cast, suggesting that a new interpretation of Glee could be a better direction.
Chris Colfer, who played Kurt Hummel, recently indicated that he was unaware of the revival when asked about the project. Meanwhile, Colfer and Darren Criss, who played Blaine Anderson, reunited onstage in London this month to perform "Baby, It's Cold Outside," giving longtime viewers a glimpse of their musical chemistry more than a decade later.
For now, the cast discussions remain just that. Disney has not confirmed which original characters, including Sue or any former Cheerios, will appear in the new series.
Six Cheerleading Moments That Made ‘Glee’ Unforgettable
1. Sue Sylvester Was the Ultimate Championship-Obsessed Cheer Coach
Before the New Directions became national champions, Sue was already running one of the most successful programs at McKinley High.
Her Cheerios were known for elaborate productions, intense training and a coach who would do almost anything to win.
From her trademark tracksuits to her frequent battles with Principal Figgins, Sue turned the fictional cheer program into one of television's most memorable teams.
2. The Unholy Trinity Became Cheerleading Pop Culture Icons
Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron), Santana Lopez (Naya Rivera) and Brittany Pierce (Heather Morris) were at the center of McKinley's cheerleading hierarchy.
Nicknamed the Unholy Trinity, the three navigated friendships, competition and relationships while balancing the demands of the Cheerios and New Directions.
Their matching red-and-white uniforms became an unmistakable part of the show's identity, and their performances remain among its most recognizable moments.
3. The Cheer Routine That Involved a Human Cannon
In the Season 2 episode "The Sue Sylvester Shuffle," which aired immediately after Super Bowl XLV, the Cheerios performed an over-the-top routine to Katy Perry's "California Gurls."
But Sue wasn't satisfied.
Determined to create an even bigger spectacle, she attempted to incorporate a human cannon that would launch Brittany into the air.
The storyline eventually forced Quinn, Santana and Brittany to choose between cheerleading regionals and performing with New Directions at the football championship.
It was classic Glee: an absurdly ambitious cheerleading routine, championship pressure and a dramatic decision about team loyalty.
4. When Kurt and Mercedes Joined the Cheer Squad
In Season 1's "The Power of Madonna," Kurt Hummel and Mercedes Jones joined the Cheerios after feeling overlooked in the glee club.
Their performance of Madonna and Justin Timberlake's "4 Minutes," backed by the cheer squad, became one of the show's memorable crossovers between musical theater and cheerleading.
The storyline also gave Mercedes and Kurt an opportunity to step outside their usual roles and find recognition in a different school activity.
5. Sue Wasn't the Only Coach Fighting for Control
NeNe Leakes joined the series as Roz Washington, an Olympic medalist turned synchronized swimming coach who eventually became Sue's rival within the Cheerios program.
Their feud added another layer to McKinley's coaching drama, with Roz temporarily sharing leadership of the squad before Sue regained sole control.
For viewers familiar with the competitive cheerleading world, the fictional power struggles offered an exaggerated take on coaching rivalries and championship expectations.
6. Becky Jackson's Place on the Cheerios
Becky Jackson, portrayed by Lauren Potter, became a recurring member of Sue's cheerleading program.
Her relationship with Sue revealed a more personal side of the otherwise intimidating coach. Becky regularly stood up to Sue, creating some of the show's more meaningful interactions.
Her presence on the squad was also a notable example of a character with Down syndrome being represented in a high school cheerleading storyline.
The Return Also Carries an Emotional Significance
For longtime viewers, revisiting Glee means remembering the actors whose performances became inseparable from the series.
Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died in 2013. Naya Rivera, whose portrayal of Santana Lopez helped make the Cheerios central to the show, died in 2020. Mark Salling, who played Noah Puckerman, died in 2018.
Their absences are part of the larger conversation surrounding the revival, particularly as the creators consider how to reconnect the original storylines with a new generation.
Rivera's portrayal of Santana remains especially significant to the show's cheerleading legacy. Alongside Agron and Morris, she helped establish the Cheerios as far more than supporting characters in a series about show choir.
Could the Cheerios Return in the New Series?
There is no official confirmation that the Cheerios will return, but the fictional program played such a significant role in the original series that its future is an obvious question.
Will McKinley High still have a powerhouse cheerleading team? Could Sue Sylvester return to coach a new generation, or would former Cheerios take on leadership roles?
Those possibilities remain speculation.
What is confirmed is that Glee has a new home on Disney+ and Hulu, and conversations about bringing back familiar faces have already begun.
For cheerleading fans who grew up watching Sue, Quinn, Santana and Brittany, the possibility of seeing those red-and-white uniforms again is another reason to pay attention.
All 121 episodes of the original Glee are currently available to stream on Hulu.
