• “Will & Grace” star Debra Messing, who’s promoting her partnership with Colgate Optic White, told INSIDER that the show has stood out since its start in September 1998 because of the way it has addressed politics and current events.
  • “We were provocative and we really pushed boundaries and we said shocking things and we talked about everything that was happening in pop culture and in politics that’s in the moment,” Messing told us. “If we didn’t do that now, then we would not be doing ‘Will & Grace.’ I feel like it’s just part of the DNA.”
  • The 50-year-old went on to say that she credits the sitcom’s “gifted” writers to successfully balancing important commentary with humor.

Debra Messing, who plays titular character Grace Adler on “Will & Grace,” says that weaving in current events and politics has always been an integral part of the show.

“I think it’s important because in 1998 when we started 20 years ago, the thing that made us stand out was that from the very beginning, we were provocative and we really pushed boundaries and we said shocking things and we talked about everything that was happening in pop culture and in politics that’s in the moment,” Messing who’s promoting her partnership with Colgate Optic White, told INSIDER.

“If we didn’t do that now, then we would not be doing ‘Will & Grace,'” she added. “I feel like it’s just part of the DNA.”

The original series, which ran on NBC from 1998 to 2006, tackled topics like gay rights, parenthood, and sexuality in the lives of four New York City-based friends. In 2017, "Will & Grace" aired new episodes on NBC as part of their ninth season.

The return after more than a decade was prompted by a short video that Messing, McCormack (Will Truman), Megan Mullally (Karen Walker), and Sean Hayes (Jack McFarland) reunited to participate in, which encouraged fans to vote during the 2016 presidential election.

Like previous seasons, the revival continues to push boundaries while maintaining a balance between comedy and important commentary - which Messing credits to the show's writers.

"They're really, really gifted," Messing told us. "They find that perfect balance of always making sure that the No. 1 priority is to make people laugh, but then to tell stories that are relevant and to make statements about what's happening in our world in a way that is shocking, but in a funny way."

When the revival returns for its second season (and 10th overall), Grace will find herself running for president of the New York Society of Design and "taking it as seriously as if she was running for president."

Additionally, Karen (a supporter of President Donald Trump) will have a storyline that involves immigration and the US-Mexico border, according to Variety.

The new season of "Will & Grace" premieres on Thursday, October 4 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC.

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