Jacob Dudman’s Dr. Asher Green Was Supposed To Be American in the ‘Scrubs’ Revival

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for Episode 7 of the Scrubs revival, “My Best Friend’s Barbecue.” While the revival has been great at bringing back familiar faces from the original series, it’s also introduced some wonderful new characters to keep things interesting. Joel Kim Booster’s Dr. Park and the five new interns have been particular standouts. However, I recently learned something that shows how much these characters evolve during production – they often aren’t exactly as they were when the actors first auditioned. I’ve been talking to some of the new cast members, and one of them shared how their character changed from the audition process to what you see on screen.

Jacob Dudman plays Dr. Asher Green, currently the only British character on the show Scrubs. His storyline has mainly focused on a potential romance with Dr. Amara Hadi, played by Layla Mohammadi. I recently spoke with both actors about their characters’ connection. Dudman shared that he auditioned early in the revival process, when the show was still casting. Since that audition, his character has undergone significant development, leading to a richer and more interesting backstory.

Jacob Dudman Originally Read for an American ‘Scrubs’ Character Called Pfeifer

Dudman, who is British himself, originally auditioned for the role of Asher as an American character named Pfeifer. He became so good at the American accent that when he met with the ‘Scrubs’ producers over Zoom, they were surprised to learn he wasn’t actually from the US. That unexpected reaction led to the character being rewritten as British, and ‘Asher’ was born. Pfeifer’s entire backstory and name were changed as a result.

Some aspects of the character Pfeifer were carried over into the character of Asher. Originally, a key part of the audition process involved a scene where the actor playing Dudman had a tense argument with Blake (now played by David Gridley). This argument appeared to be about a love triangle involving Amara. Dudman explained that Asher and Blake were fighting over Amara, and he believes this scene later became the moment in Episode 5, “My Angel,” where Asher watches Amara looking at Blake. This causes Asher to give up on confessing his feelings to her.

Why Asher’s British Background Makes Him More Interesting Than Pfeifer Would Have Been

We can only speculate about how the character of Pfeifer would have been different. If an American actor had played the role, they likely would have brought their own unique style to it, just as Dudman has. However, Asher’s British background has already led to some fantastic scenes, both serious and funny. For example, his observations about the differences between the American and British healthcare systems – specifically, how the NHS works – wouldn’t have been possible with the original Pfeifer character. Asher was able to bring that perspective to the show immediately, adding depth. And it’s been a nice comedic touch hearing him use his English identity as a polite excuse for being reserved, like when he says, “Go slow, I’m English!”

In Episode 7, “My Best Friend’s Barbecue,” we learn why Asher came to the US: he moved from the UK at 16 to care for his father. This hints at a complex family history and emotional depth that could be further developed if the show gets more episodes. Even actor Ben Dudman is interested in seeing this backstory explored, wondering how caring for his father will impact Asher’s future. The writers’ decision to have Dudman maintain his British accent was key to making this story possible – an American actor wouldn’t have allowed for this particular narrative.

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2026-04-03 22:21