Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life brought back basically all of your favorite Stars Hollow citizens—and then some. In addition to your series regulars Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop and Scott Patterson, there were guest appearances from the old friends like Carole King, Sally Struthers, Melissa McCarthy, Milo Ventimiglia and Matt Czuchry—and then some. New famous faces joined the Gilmore Girls universe for A Year in the Life.
For starters, there was Mae Whitman, Graham's Parenthood daughter as Marcy, the girl on the New York City street who helps Lorelai get some coveted sneakers in exchange for the latest pastry craze. Whitman is an admitted Gilmore Girls super fan and said she played the whole cameo game cool, and once she was signed up and on set, she was creator Amy Sherman-Palladino's for the taking.
"I was like, ‘Boss me around, Amy. I want you to tell me what to do and when to do it, baby.' I was just along for the ride. I was happy to do anything anybody wanted me to do," Whitman told E! News at the Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life premiere.
Graham said a specific cameo (detailed below) was her idea, and then it became her obsession. That also extended to the other cameos from Graham's TV past. "Anyone I could possibly get in the show, I wanted them there," she told us.
Did you catch them all? Below is a rundown of all the notable cameos from the Gilmore Girls revival.
Julia Goldani Telles, Sandi
The Affair star played an internet maven looking to add Rory to her staff, but the interview went pretty awry from the start. Telles previously worked with Amy Sherman-Palladino on Bunheads.
Roy Choi, himself
Without Sookie in the Dragonfly Inn kitchen, Lorelai got a series of rotating celebrity chefs to have pop-up restaurants for her guests. She fired pretty much all of them. You can't replace Sookie.
Rachael Ray, herself
The TV host and Food Network staple played herself, a visiting chef at the Dragonfly Inn. Not even her sammies could save her from getting the ax.
Sutton Foster, Violet
Foster, another of Sherman-Palladino's Bunheads cast members, appeared in the Stars Hollow musical, which was largely unnecessary. However, Foster's character did sing a song that made Lorelai have all the feels, as the kids say.
Christian Borle, Stars Hollow musical
Another Broadway star made a pit stop to help Stars Hollow send up its history in style.
Peter Krause, park ranger
Graham's real-life beau (and Parenthood brother) made his Gilmore Girls debut as a park ranger who doesn't let Lorelai do her Wild journey because she misplaced her permit.
Jason Ritter, park ranger
Graham's Parenthood beau made his Gilmore Girls debut as a park ranger who warned Lorelai about starting her Wild journey as a storm approached.
Jackie Hoffman, Stars Hollow Gazette employee
The Broadway veteran worked with Rory at the Stars Hollow Gazette.
Ray Wise, Emily's beau?
The Twin Peaks veteran first appeared at Richard's funeral…only to pop back up with Emily at her Nantucket home!
Kerry Butler, Claudia
Butler, a Broadway star, played therapist to Lorelai and Emily.
Gilmore Guys, Dragonfly Inn patrons
The podcasters can be seen while Lorelai is walking through the dining room.
Paul Anka, himself
The real Paul Anka popped up in Lorelai's dream once again.
Dan Bucatinsky, Conde Nast editor
Bucatinsky, who won an Emmy for his work on Scandal, appeared as an editor who took a meeting with Rory.
Alex Borestein, Miss Celine
Borstein, who played Sookie in the unaired pilot, popped up on Gilmore Girls in the past, first as the harpist at the Independence Inn. She was last seen as Miss Celine, Emily's stylist who is of an indiscriminate age, in 2005. She returns to dress Luke and Lorelai for their wedding.
Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life is now streaming on Netflix.