Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 was a heartfelt and gut-wrenching experience for many fans of the long-running hospital series.
The on-screen storyline was tense the entire season as Dr. Meredith Grey fell victim to COVID-19 and ended up having several hallucinations where she was on a beach and saw many faces from the past.
While the returning faces was great for fans of Grey’s Anatomy, the concern about whether Dr. Grey would survive was stressful.
This is because of the off-screen storyline was whether Grey’s Anatomy would return for another season or end after Season 17.
The good news is that Grey’s Anatomy is returning for Season 18.
Here is everything we know so far about Grey’s Anatomy Season 18.
This article provides everything that is known about Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 and all related news. As such, this article will be updated over time with news, rumors, and analysis. Meanwhile, let’s dig down into what is known so far.
Is there going to be a Season 18 of Grey’s Anatomy?
The entire deal was that Grey’s Anatomy would continue to return as long as Ellen Pompeo signed on for new seasons.
Once Dr. Grey is gone, the show will end, ratings juggernaut or not.
The good news is that Pompeo will be back and so will Grey’s Anatomy.
“Grey’s Anatomy continues to be a ratings juggernaut,” said Craig Erwich, president of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, during Disney’s pre-upfront press briefing.
“The fans loved this season,” he continued. “I thought Grey’s Anatomy did a really incredible job this year telling the stories of all the frontline heroes who are fighting the good fight [against] COVID. We will take Grey’s Anatomy for as long as we can.”
Release date latest: When does Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 come out?
Every season of Grey’s Anatomy since the second has premiered in September. The 17th season didn’t premiere until November due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Expect Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 to be back in September.
We will update this article with the official date when ABC announces it.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 cast updates
Original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. all signed new deals for Season 18. Their current contracts ended at the end of Season 17.
Chandra Wilson, who stars as Miranda Bailey, and James Pickens Jr., who stars as Richard Webber, are the only actors other than Pompeo who have been around since Season 1.
“Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy have done an incredible job of honoring real-life heroes by giving audiences an unflinching look at one of the biggest medical stories of our time,” Erwich said.
“Krista [Vernoff] and her team of writers have continued to deliver the compelling and compassionate storytelling that is a hallmark of these shows and created some of the year’s most-talked-about moments in television,” he added.
“We’re so grateful to our talented casts and crews for their extraordinary work that connects with viewers everywhere, and we look forward to sharing even more defining moments with our fans next season,” he concluded.
There is one long-time star who chose not to re-up his deal.
Jesse Williams, who has starred as Jackson Avery since Season 6, chose to leave the series following Season 17. His character, along with Greg Germann’s Dr. Tom Koracick, left to go to work for a hospital in Chicago.
Giacomo Gianniotti will also not return as Dr. DeLuca. His character died following a stabbing in Season 17.
“Greg Germann is a comic genius and we are so lucky that he brought his talents to our show these last few years,” Vernoff said. “We will miss Greg terribly in the day to day – but we plan to see Tom Koracick again [as a guest star].”
Other actors who will return include Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt, Caterina Scorsone as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Luddington as Dr. Jo Wilson, Kelly McCreary as Dr. Maggie Pierce, Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman, Jake Borelli as Dr. Levi Schmitt, Chris Carmack as Dr. Atticus “Link” Lincoln, Anthony Hill as Dr. Winston Ndugu and Richard Flood as Dr. Cormac Hayes.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 spoilers
Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 dealt with the coronavirus pandemic and how it rocked the hospital system.
It also dealt with Dr. Grey as she ended up with COVID-19 and spent most of the season in a hospital bed.
Expect Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 to continue to touch on current-day problems, as well as the relationships between the doctors.
The good news is that Vernoff had a plan for the season finale based on whether Grey’s Anatomy was renewed or not, so expect her to be ready for new stories in the next chapter of the show.
ABC has yet to announce when Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 will premiere.