Eric McCormack as Will Truman: The first titular protagonist to the show, Will is a gay man who is a successful corporate lawyer who studied at Columbia University, where he met Grace as a freshman; they have been best friends ever since. He is very precise and obsessive when it comes to certain tasks, especially cleaning, dressing, and decorating. However, Will does have a very patient and compassionate nature towards those close to him, often to a fault. Even though Will is gay, he sometimes tries to pass as straight; he has at times avoided admitting his sexual orientation to people. Several characters commented that his relationship with Grace is more like that of a married couple than two friends; at one point Will even considered having a baby with Grace. Will is the more mature and tolerant character of the duo and serves as Grace 's rock most times. Debra Messing as Grace Adler: The second titular protagonist to the show, Grace is a straight interior decorator with a fondness for food. She 's been Will 's best friend since college and roommate throughout most of the show. Grace is Jewish but does not practice her religion staunchly. She plays as a neurotic counterbalance for Will 's more everyman character. Grace tends to heavily rely on Will for moral and emotional support, especially after a break - up. Megan Mullally as Karen Walker: Karen "works '' as Grace 's assistant, making "Grace Adler Designs '' popular among her socialite acquaintances. She is the wife of the wealthy (but mostly unseen) Stanley Walker. Karen is also known for casually downing alcohol and prescription medication and can be uncaring. However, she is very close to Jack, is friends with Grace, and throughout the show 's run warms to Will. Even though she 's silly at times, Karen has shown bouts of intelligence: having a working knowledge of business / real - estate market economics, a moderate understanding of computers, and a flair for interior design. She 's also a certified public notary and an aficionado of various liquors and prescription drugs. Despite this, she is often unaware of or ambivalent toward habits of the working and middle classes, often criticizing and mocking what she fails to understand. Sean Hayes as Jack McFarland: Will 's other (and first gay) best friend since college. Jack is flamboyantly gay, confident, and free - spirited, having been so from a young age. He drifts from man to man and changes occupations often, being very fickle when it comes to both. He has worked as a struggling actor, an acting instructor, a back - up dancer for Jennifer Lopez and Janet Jackson, a sales associate at Banana Republic and Barneys New York, a cater - waiter, a student nurse, Junior VP for Out TV, and host of his own Out TV talk show, called Jack Talk. Jack made four one - man shows (called Just Jack, Jack 2000, Jack 2001, and Jack 2002) to showcase his singing / dancing / acting abilities; all attempts having only marginal success. Early on in the show he establishes a close friendship with Karen; the pair often spend time together and orchestrate various pranks. Throughout the series, Jack relies on Will and Karen for financial support. His idol is Cher. Shelley Morrison as Rosario Salazar (Recurring Seasons 1 - 2; Regular Seasons 3 - 8): Karen 's maid, and later Jack 's wife, then ex-wife. Morrison was offered to reprise her role when the series was revived, but declined, having retired from acting.
who stars in the new will and grace
Eric McCormack Debra Messing Megan Mullally Sean Hayes