Lauren Graham is basically the patron saint of fast-talking, coffee-addicted moms everywhere. So, when news dropped that she was finally returning to a lead TV role, the internet kinda lost its collective mind. People have been waiting for this. Like, really waiting.
But if you’re expecting a Lorelai Gilmore clone or another Sarah Braverman cry-fest, you might want to adjust your expectations just a smidge. Her latest project isn't a Gilmore Girls revival—though we’ll get to those rumors in a second. It’s a workplace comedy called The Z-Suite, and it’s honestly a pretty wild departure from the cozy streets of Stars Hollow.
What is The Z-Suite anyway?
Let’s get into the weeds. The new Lauren Graham show is an original comedy that landed on Tubi on February 6, 2025. Yeah, Tubi. I know, usually we think of Tubi as the place for obscure 90s thrillers and reality reruns, but they’re clearly making a play for the big leagues here.
Graham plays Monica Marks. Monica is a powerhouse advertising mogul in New York who’s spent decades climbing the corporate ladder. She’s smart, she’s sharp, and as Graham herself put it in a recent interview, she’s "appealingly a bit unhinged."
Then, everything goes sideways.
After a massive company blunder—the kind that makes the evening news—Monica and her right-hand man, Doug Garcia (played by the hilarious Nico Santos from Superstore), get the boot. They don’t just get fired; they get "canceled" in the most corporate way possible. Who replaces them? The "Z-Suite." Basically, a bunch of Gen Z employees who were previously just running social media accounts are suddenly handed the keys to the entire agency.
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Why this generational war actually works
It sounds like a trope, right? Boomers vs. Zoomers. Gen X vs. Gen Z. We’ve seen it a million times. But The Z-Suite feels a little more self-aware. Instead of just making "participation trophy" jokes, the show actually leans into the absolute chaos of a workplace where the people in charge have never actually managed a budget, and the people who do know how to run a business are stuck on the outside looking in.
Monica isn't going down without a fight. She starts her own boutique agency and tries to claw her way back to the top, which leads to some genuinely funny moments where she realizes the old Madison Avenue rules don’t really apply in 2026.
The cast is actually pretty stacked for a streaming original:
- Madison Shamoun (from The Lake) plays Kriska Thompson, the Gen Z leader who takes Monica's job.
- Spencer Stevenson and Anna Bezahler round out the younger crew.
- Nico Santos is basically the MVP as the high-strung executive who’s just trying to survive the transition.
There’s a scene in the early episodes where Monica tries to use the word "girlboss" and gets absolutely roasted for being "cheugy." It’s painful. It’s cringey. It’s also very, very real.
Is there any Lorelai Gilmore in Monica Marks?
Look, we’re all thinking it. Can Lauren Graham play a character without us seeing Lorelai?
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Honestly, there are flashes. Monica is witty. She talks fast. She has that specific "Lauren Graham energy" where she can deliver a three-minute monologue while walking through a busy office. But Monica is much harder than Lorelai. She’s driven by ambition and a little bit of revenge rather than just wanting to protect her daughter and run an inn.
If you loved the snappy dialogue of Gilmore Girls, you’ll probably dig the writing here. It was created by Katie O’Brien, who worked on The Santa Clauses and Teachers. It’s got that quick-fire pacing that fits Graham like a glove.
What about the Gilmore Girls rumors?
I’d be lying if I said people weren’t still obsessed with a potential return to Stars Hollow. While promoting the new Lauren Graham show, Graham has been peppered with questions about a Year in the Life sequel.
Here’s what we actually know:
- The Anniversary: 2025 marked the 25th anniversary of the show’s premiere.
- The New Book: In December 2025, Graham and creator Amy Sherman-Palladino announced they are co-writing a new book about the series. It’s coming out via Celadon Books in 2027. It’s not a script, but it’s a massive behind-the-scenes project that has fans hoping it’s a precursor to more filming.
- The Christmas Movie Idea: Graham has mentioned she’s open to a revival, but she thinks a Christmas movie might be the way to go instead of another full season.
So, while The Z-Suite is her main focus right now, the door to Stars Hollow isn't exactly locked and bolted.
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Other projects on the horizon
If you can’t get enough of her on the small screen, she’s also hitting theaters soon. She’s set to appear in the film Reminders of Him, based on the Colleen Hoover novel, which is scheduled for a March 13, 2026 release. She’s playing one of the custodial grandparents, starring alongside Bradley Whitford. Seeing those two together again is a treat for anyone who remembers their brief crossover during the Parenthood days or just loves veteran TV actors.
How to watch and what to expect
If you’re ready to dive into The Z-Suite, here’s the deal. You can find it on Tubi. It’s free, which is the best price, but you’ll have to sit through a few ads.
Don't expect a slow-burn drama. This is a 22-minute-ish comedy format. It’s designed to be binged. It captures that specific 2026 anxiety about "being relevant" and the weirdness of the modern corporate world.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the first two episodes of The Z-Suite to see if Monica Marks is your brand of chaos.
- Keep an eye out for the trailer for Reminders of Him as we get closer to the March 2026 release.
- Pre-order the new book by Graham and Sherman-Palladino if you need your Stars Hollow fix while waiting for more news.
Ultimately, Lauren Graham is doing what she does best: playing a complicated, slightly messy, incredibly smart woman who refuses to be ignored. Whether she’s at a New York ad agency or a Connecticut diner, we’re probably going to keep watching.