Our content is fact checked by our senior editorial staff to reflect accuracy and ensure our readers get sound information and advice to make the smartest, healthiest choices.
We adhere to structured guidelines for sourcing information and linking to other resources, including scientific studies and medical journals.
If you have any concerns about the accuracy of our content, please reach out to our editors by e-mailing [emailprotected].
Rumors flew about a rift between two Will & Grace actors during the show's revival.
By Lia Beck
May 9, 2022
If these rumors are true, then these two actors might have been better off keeping the past in the past. For eight years, Debra Messing and Megan Mullally played Grace Adler and Karen Walker on the sitcom Will & Grace, but it wasn't until the show returned for a revival series that rumors of personal issues between the two of them surfaced.
The long-running show came back for a second round in 2017, and by 2019, there was talk that Mullally and Messing were not getting along on set. Neither actor has ever directly addressed the rumors, so it's mostly just hearsay, but there is some evidence that's hinted at a rift between the stars. Read on to find out what supposedly happened.
READ THIS NEXT:These Brady Bunch Siblings Have Hated Each Other for Decades, Co-Star Says.
Anonymous sources claimed the stars were at odds.
Various sources have come forth with claims that Mullally and Messing did not get along during the revival series.
"They can't stand to be near each other, and it created an impossible atmosphere on the set," a source told Radar Online in August 2019.
"They've never liked each other but they started to really grate on the other's nerves when it became clear the show was failing," claimed an insider.
Another source claimed that there was jealousy involved. "Megan makes fun of Debra's airs and is a favorite with the cast and crew," they said. "She's won two Emmys, and Debra is jealous of her success and popularity."
In October 2019, a source told Entertainment Weekly, "Tensions were building for a while," and it was also reported that the falling out between the two stars played a role in the show coming to an end with its 11th season.
There were supposed clues on social media.
Around the time that the reports began surfacing, fans also noticed that Mullally and Messing did not follow each other on Instagram. Currently, Mullally does not follow Messing, Eric McCormack, or Sean Hayes, but she does follow Leslie Jordan, who played Beverly Leslie in a recurring role; Messing follows all of those actors, other than Mullally.
Additionally, in August 2019, fans noticed that Messing tagged several people involved with the show in an Instagram post about the Emmys but did not tag Mullally. As reported by PopCulture.com, Messing later removed some of the tags.
There was also an Instagram Story post by Mullally that raised some eyebrows. It reportedly read: "One of the best feelings is finally losing your attachment to somebody who isn't good for you!"
For more celebrity news delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
Mullallymay have indirectly commented on the situation.
In January 2020, Mullally spoke about a difficult work situation on her podcast In Bed with Nick and Megan, which she co-hosts with husband Nick Offerman. She didn't name any names, but she said she was being "bullied" and "had a recent situation" that she couldn't "be specific about," as reported by The Sun. She continued, "I'm pretty much on my own in this situation because the bully has recruited many of my allies to their side and now they're not my allies anymore."
Mullally ended up sitting out two episodes of the final seasonof Will & Grace when she took a leave of absence, as reported by TVLine. Whether this had to do with tension with Messing is unclear.
One of their co-stars denied the rumors.
In September 2019, McCormack was asked about the rumors of an issue between Mullally and Messing and told Us Weekly, "It seems crazy. It is crazy! I think people worried about that entirely too much." The actor, who played Will throughout the series, added of the main cast, "The four of us get along like a house on fire, we always have."
Then, in April 2020, when the show was ending, co-creator Max Mutchnick was asked by Entertainment Weekly about the show being able to wrap up in the right way amid the rumored tensions.
"We always work under this kind of motto that everything's about the work. It's just about the work," Mutchnick responded. "And so if we stay true to that, then we just keep you guys out of whatever happened on the set this year because it would have done nothing but get in the way of the stories that we wanted to tell. It was not an easy year, but the permanent legacy of the show is much more important to us than any temporary squabble that would take place on the stage."
READ THIS NEXT:Will Smith Made Things "Very Difficult" for This Co-Star: "I Lost Everything."
Lia Beck
Lia Beck is a writer living in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to Best Life, she has written for Refinery29, Bustle, Hello Giggles, InStyle, and more.Readmore
Filed Under
Read This Next
This Star Called Susan Sarandon a "Narcissist"
This heated Twitter feud started six years ago over political differences.
April 8, 2022
This Star Almost Played Rachel on "Friends"
"I think all the right people got cast in that show."
January 7, 2021
19 Throwback Photos from the 2000 Emmys
Since this year's ceremony is going virtual, let's see what the show looked like 20 years ago.
September 16, 2020
10 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.
March 21, 2017
Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.
November 15, 2016
Men Who Set the Time: Cash Warren
The successful producer, entrepreneur and husband of Jessica Alba reveals how you, too, can live your best life.
October 31, 2016
Dr. Oz: The Best Life Interview
Mehmet Oz, M.D., asks the toughest question: Are you living or dying?
October 23, 2016
Dr. Oz's 15 Best Life Tips
October 23, 2016
The One That Got Away
A single nutrient—omega-3 fatty acids—may have turned early humans into civilized man. Has stripping it from our diet given rise to cancer, diabetes, and other civilized diseases? Our correspondent investigates.
February 23, 2017
Latest News
Smarter Living
Walmart Making Major Changes to Stores
Here's what you can expect.
Smarter Living
Ex-IRS Worker Issues Warning About TurboTax
They say it's "trying to make your taxes harder."
Travel
You Can Get Banned From Hilton, Hyatt Hotels
An ex-employee reveals how this can happen.
Smarter Living
Marshalls Has "Hazardous Materials" for Sale
"Every customer should be suing."
Wellness
Ozempic Safer Than Tylenol, Terry Dubrow Says
He's feuding with Jillian Michaels about it.
Smarter Living
"Largest Storm of the Season" Set for Weekend
It could drench these regions.
Read This Next
This Star Called Susan Sarandon a "Narcissist"
This heated Twitter feud started six years ago over political differences.
April 8, 2022
This Star Almost Played Rachel on "Friends"
"I think all the right people got cast in that show."
January 7, 2021
19 Throwback Photos from the 2000 Emmys
Since this year's ceremony is going virtual, let's see what the show looked like 20 years ago.
September 16, 2020
10 Things You Didn't Know about Justin Trudeau
Athlete, nerd, hopeless romantic, thespian. Yes, there’s a lot more to Canada’s Prime Minister than just politics.
March 21, 2017
Jon Hamm: The Best Life Interview
Jon Hamm, star of TV's Mad Men, reveals the secrets of manliness in a postmodern world.
November 15, 2016
Driving Tips Smart Men Know
Ten easy ways to be the safest driver on the road.
April 3, 2017
Men Who Set the Time: Cash Warren
The successful producer, entrepreneur and husband of Jessica Alba reveals how you, too, can live your best life.
October 31, 2016
Dr. Oz: The Best Life Interview
Mehmet Oz, M.D., asks the toughest question: Are you living or dying?
October 23, 2016
Dr. Oz's 15 Best Life Tips
October 23, 2016
The One That Got Away
A single nutrient—omega-3 fatty acids—may have turned early humans into civilized man. Has stripping it from our diet given rise to cancer, diabetes, and other civilized diseases? Our correspondent investigates.
February 23, 2017