Melissa McCarthy returning for Gilmore Girls revival

A key townsperson is returning to Stars Hollow, with actress Melissa McCarthy confirming she will reprise her role as chef Sookie St. James in the Gilmore Girls revival.

McCarthy revealed the news during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on Thursday, describing the mother-daughter family drama that debuted in 2000 as "a show that was near and dear to my heart."

McCarthy appeared throughout the series as the quirky, talented chef who is best friend to star Lauren Graham's character Lorelai Gilmore. 

Though most of the original Gilmore Girls cast was quickly confirmed as returning to join Graham and co-star Alexis Bledel (Rory) for the forthcoming 4-episode Netflix project, McCarthy — whose fame has skyrocketed since her role on the series — was a prominent question mark.

In February, she tweeted that "sadly no one asked me or Sookie to come back to Stars Hollow. Wish them all the best!"

Thanks for the invite, but sadly no one asked me or Sookie to come back to Stars Hollow. Wish them all the best!! <a href="https://t.co/II2Atug4wx">https://t.co/II2Atug4wx</a>

&mdash;@melissamccarthy

Series creator, writer and showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino subsequently clarified that she had been in contact with McCarthy's team, who were in charge of the actress' busy schedule, and hoping the Spy and Bridesmaids star could find a small window in which to shoot an appearance. 

McCarthy released her latest film, The Boss, on Friday and her upcoming slate includes the anticipated Ghostbusters reboot.

"There was a whole thing and I was going to be out of the country," McCarthy told Degeneres of the back and forth.

But "literally about an hour and a half ago, we figured it out and I'm going to do it and I'm so excited. They're going to be amazing," she said.

"Amy Sherman-Palladino is going to squeeze me in to do it and I'm very happy to go back to Stars Hollow."

Netflix has yet to announce a premiere date for the Gilmore Girls revival, which will pick up after the season seven finale and unspool as four 90-minute episodes each set against a different season: winter, spring, summer and fall.