Melissa McCarthy Explains Why She's Not Returning to 'Gilmore Girls' Reboot
The actress said, "I think they thought I was busy."
— -- Some sad news for Sookie St. James fans: Melissa McCarthy, the actress who portrayed the quirky cook on "Gilmore Girls," confirmed she's not returning to the Netflix reboot.
After tweeting last month that "sadly no one asked me or Sookie to come back to Stars Hollow," the fictional Connecticut city where the series was set, many fans held out hope that McCarthy could still return. But in a new interview, "The Boss" actress explained why she can't reunite with Rory and Lorelai Gilmore.
"I didn't actually get asked to do it," she told E! News. "But I think they thought I was busy, and then by the time it did come up, then I actually was booked."
McCarthy, 45, said she's still excited that the series, which went off the air in May 2007 after seven years, is returning.
"I'm actually thrilled that it's happening. I loved that show and I think the fans for that show are super loyal and great and I will watch every single one of them," she said.
Earlier this week "Gilmore Girls" creator Amy Sherman-Palladino tweeted that she'd be happy to write McCarthy into a scene.
"She's really...busy," Sherman Palladino told TV Line. "But the thing I have said [to her team] is, 'Look, if Melissa is available and has an afternoon free, I'll write her a scene. Melissa was one of us. If she has a spare moment to run over [to the set] -- even if for just a cameo -- we would be totally game. And if it's a last-minute thing, I would write her in and we would figure it out."
Although the actress won't be returning this season, is there still a chance to see McCarthy in future "Gilmore Girls" episodes?
"I want to cook again. I want to put salt and then stir," McCarthy quipped.
She added, "That was seven years of my life and it was really great. I was proud of that show."
"Gilmore Girls" stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel, who portrayed Lorelai and Rory Gilmore respectively, will return to the show. Scott Patterson, who played diner owner Luke Danes, and Kelly Bishop, who portrayed Emily, are also set to return along with original stars Sean Gunn and Keiko Agena.
There's no word on a title or a premiere date just yet for the Netflix series.