If you spent the early 2000s watching Grace Adler and Karen Walker trade barbs while sipping martinis, the idea of them hating each other feels like a personal betrayal. It’s weird. They were the glue of NBC’s Thursday night lineup. But by the time the Will & Grace revival wrapped its final season in 2020, the chemistry wasn't just gone—it was radioactive.
The truth is, Debra Messing and Megan Mullally don’t get along because of a slow-burn cocktail of ego, professional jealousy, and a massive shift in set dynamics during the reboot years. It wasn't one single "slap in the face" moment. Instead, it was a death by a thousand cuts that eventually led to unfollowing sprees, cryptic Instagram "quotes," and Mullally literally walking off the set of the show that made her a household name.
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The Instagram Unfollowing That Started the Fire
In 2019, fans noticed something small but devastating. Megan Mullally and Debra Messing had unfollowed each other on Instagram. In the world of celebrity PR, that’s basically the equivalent of a formal declaration of war. People don’t just "accidentally" unfollow a co-star they've worked with for eleven seasons.
Messing fueled the speculation by posting a cast photo to promote the show’s Emmy campaign. She tagged Eric McCormack and Sean Hayes. She left Megan out.
Megan didn't stay quiet, either. She posted a story about how "one of the best feelings is finally losing your attachment to somebody who isn't good for you." You don't need a PhD in Hollywood drama to read between those lines. Honestly, it felt like watching a messy high school breakup play out in front of millions of people.
Why the Revival Changed Everything
During the original run (1998–2006), the hierarchy was clear. Debra Messing was the lead. She was "Grace." Megan Mullally was the supporting zany sidekick. But a funny thing happened over those eight years: Karen Walker became the breakout star.
By the time the 2017 revival rolled around, the power dynamic had shifted. Megan had two Emmys. Debra had one. Sources from the set, including reports from Radar Online and Entertainment Weekly, suggested that the tension grew because Megan was getting more laughs, while Debra was still the one being treated (and paid) like the primary protagonist.
Then there was the "Bully" comment.
On her podcast In Bed with Nick and Megan, Mullally opened up about a "difficult work situation" where she felt bullied. She claimed the bully had even "recruited" her allies to their side, leaving her feeling isolated on set. While she didn't name Messing directly, the timing was too perfect. She was recording these episodes right as she took a two-episode leave of absence from the final season.
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The Politics and the "Allies"
You can't talk about Debra Messing without talking about her politics. She’s famously outspoken. Some rumors suggest the rift was deepened by political disagreements on set. There was even a weird moment where Debra publicly feuded with Susan Sarandon (who is a friend of Megan’s).
When Megan felt "bullied," she noted that her allies—presumably Eric McCormack and Sean Hayes—didn't exactly jump to her defense. In fact, Eric McCormack spent most of the final year telling the press that everything was "fine" and they got along "like a house on fire."
To Megan, that probably felt like gaslighting. To Eric, it was likely just an attempt to protect the show’s legacy.
The Max Mutchnick Admission
For a long time, the creators tried to hide the mess. But eventually, co-creator Max Mutchnick admitted to Entertainment Weekly that the final year was "not an easy one." He called it a "temporary squabble on the stage," but for Megan to miss two episodes of a series finale, it had to be more than a "squabble."
Think about it. You don't walk away from the finish line of a legendary career run because of a small disagreement over a script. You walk away because you can't stand to be in the same room as the person across from you.
Where Do They Stand in 2026?
If you're looking for a happy ending where they’re grabbing brunch in the West Village, you're going to be disappointed.
- Sean Hayes and Megan: They’ve mostly patched things up. They follow each other again and have been spotted supporting each other's theater projects.
- Debra and Megan: Still a total dead zone. No social media interaction. No joint interviews. No nostalgia posts featuring the two of them.
- The Podcast Factor: Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack launched a Will & Grace rewatch podcast called Just Jack & Will. Notably, Megan was not a part of the initial launch, which felt like a loud silence to longtime fans.
What This Means for the Fans
It’s a tough pill to swallow. We want our favorite TV besties to be real-life besties. But the reality of Hollywood is that it's a workplace. Sometimes you work with someone for twenty years and realize you just don't like who they've become.
Next Steps for the Curiously Obsessed:
If you want to see the tension for yourself, go back and watch the final season of the revival. Specifically, look at the scenes where Grace and Karen are together. The physical distance between them is noticeable. They rarely touch. They rarely look each other in the eye. It’s a masterclass in professional "grin and bear it" acting.
You might also want to check out Megan’s podcast archives from 2020 if you want to hear her raw thoughts on workplace toxicity—just don't expect her to name names. She’s too professional (and probably has too many NDAs) for that.