Series creator Shonda Rhimes finally gave fans some much-needed answers.
Grey’s Anatomy just entered its second decade on television, showing no signs of flatlining.
Since its 2005 debut, Grey’s Anatomy has become the longest-running primetime scripted series in ABC history. From a cut LVAD wire to a plane crash to a pandemic, the medical drama has survived it all onscreen. That also includes a revolving door of faces new and old — with season 20 marking the first season without lead Ellen Pompeo in a starring role.
While the latest installment just started back up on March 14, it’s clear that a new era is upon us, with heads already turning toward what’s next. So, here’s what we know about the future of Grey’s Anatomy, including whether there will be a season 21.
Is there going to be a season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy?
The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial just got paged back. On April 2, ABC broke the news on Instagram that the long-running medical drama was officially renewed for season 21. “Push (twenty) one of epi! 😉 #GreysAnatomy will be coming back for another season on ABC! Stream on Hulu,” read its caption.
It edges the series another step further in its record-breaking run as the longest-running primetime medical drama. Series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes told The Hollywood Reporter: “The loyalty and love of Grey’s Anatomy fans has propelled us into a historic 21st season, and I could not be more grateful.”
She added: “[Showrunner] Meg Marinis’ storytelling is a gift that continues to keep the show vibrant, compelling and alive, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for next season.”
Do we know if this is Grey’s Anatomy’s last season?
That’s still unclear. However, Meg said in an interview tied to the season 20 premiere that they still have stories to tell. She told Deadline: “I’ve not been informed that this is the last season so I’m going to keep going and telling stories as long as they let me.”
Meg added: “We receive a tremendous amount of support from the studio and the network and from Shondaland. So I’m going to keep going until they tell me to put that pen down.”
When can we expect the Grey’s Anatomy season 21 release date?
The series earned an early renewal for the 2024-25 broadcast season, per The Hollywood Reporter. While an exact premiere date is still to come, it typically joins ABC’s slate of fall shows. Season 19 and season 20 only saw unprecedented releases because of pandemic-related delays and WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike work stoppages, respectively.
Who do we expect to be in the cast of Grey’s Anatomy season 21?
We’re not quite sure who’ll be scrubbing in next season. What’s more, there could be some surprising switch-ups. Per Deadline, contracts expire for veteran cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Kevin McKidd, Kim Raver, Caterina Scorsone and Camilla Luddington going into season 21.
That’s not to say there aren’t hopefuls. Chandra, who plays Miranda Bailey, told People in 2023: “I’m challenging myself to be there until the very last episode, the very last day, the very last scene.” James, the actor who plays Richard Webber, is also likely to re-up based on his interview with Entertainment Tonight a year ago. “They’ll probably wheel me out in a wheelchair,” he quipped.
The show’s namesake, Meredith’s Ellen Pompeo, bowed out as a series regular at the end of season 19. She has yet to confirm her involvement in season 21, but Ellen has continued to recur and provide episode voiceovers. If the star returned, it wouldn’t be the first time familiar faces graced Grey Sloan, from Jesse Williams’s Jackson Avery in season 19 to Jessica Capshaw’s Arizona Robbins in season 20.
