The premiere of Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy is still months away, but already, intel is trickling down faster than saline through an IV.
You would think that the drama behind the scenes this time around couldn’t possibly compete with that which accompanied Season 20. After all, how do you top both writers’ and actors’ strikes, a super-small episode count and the surprise cancellation of sister show Station 19? But Season 21’s backstage shockers have begun being revealed, and it isn’t looking like they are going to stop (or even slow down!) anytime soon.
What do we know thus far? Read on, and TVLine will fill you in on who’s back on the creative team, who’s returning as a series regular, who’s scrubbing out and even why we’re all going to need to push back our bedtimes by an hour.
Marinis, who has been with Grey’s Anatomy since Season 3, took over the reins from Krista Vernoff in Season 20. The new boss’ “storytelling is a gift that continues to keep the show vibrant, compelling and alive,” said series creator Shonda Rhimes when the pick-up was announced. “I can’t wait to see what she has in store for next season.”
Before Season 20 was even finished, the fan favorite’s exit was announced. Borelli, who over seven seasons had evolved awkward “Glasses” into Grey Sloan’s confident co-chief resident, is expected to return briefly in Season 21 to wrap up the storyline for his character, who had lately taken a keen interest in a pediatric fellowship.
The scene-stealing Sex Lives of College Girls alum joined Grey’s Anatomy in Season 19 as Mika Yasuda, a standout among Grey Sloan’s motley crew of new residents. Alas, after a too-brief romance with unlucky-in-love boss Helm and a near-kiss with pal Jules, the intern’s imminent departure was announced in May. Like Borelli, Francis is expected to guest-star in Season 21 for long enough to give her alter ego a proper sendoff.
Cost-cutting measures implemented in order to ensure a renewal for Season 21 may mean that some regulars will appear less frequently. Which ones and how much less frequently? Those questions remain unanswered… for now.
The Station 19 leading man, who crossed over Grey’s Anatomy doc Ben Warren to the already-much-missed spinoff, will be returning to Grey Sloan so that his character can complete his surgical residency. (Cue Bailey’s sigh of relief!) Not only that, but George will be a Season 21 series regular.
But with (knock wood) no strikes delaying the start of production, Season 21 should kick off as most previous ones have, in the fall in late September or early October.
Season 21 will air not at 9/8c on Thursdays but at 10/9c following 9-1-1 (at 8/7) and Ryan Murphy’s new medical drama, Dr. Odyssey (starring Joshua Jackson as a cruise-ship M.D.).
Pay Ellen less money. I love Amelia et al. Not that great a show anyway, and Ellen isnt in it that much.
there would be no greys anatomy without Ellen.
This is patently false. Meredith has been gone most of the last season and I honestly don’t miss her. No offense to Ellen, who has done a great job, but I’m so sick of the personal storylines they’re giving Meredith and Nick. The Alzheimer’s thing is interesting but the will-they-won’t-they between her and McEmo was getting old a whole season ago.
There are so many younger characters who could flourish with great storylines, but they don’t focus on them enough.
Glad “Ben” is back.
Please bring back the one and only CARINA! MISS HER SO MUCH!!
I wouldn’t mind if Amelia leaves. Working in the same hospital as her deceased brother did seems like a cry for help especially when her former sister in-law finally moved on. And not to mention all her yearly moody crisis it feels like the time to cut losses the show feels like it can go on without a Dr. Shepherd. I pray Teddy stays gone petty entitled self important pain walking around like shes the best thing since the smartphone but from her collapsing she’ll be back to rub her overratedness in the teams faces soon enough. Nothing short of kryptonite will stop Teddy.
Possible departures of Teddy and Owen get temptingly dangled in front of our noses, but – alas – it’s always too good to be true. It’s cruelty, I tell you. Cruelty!
Two of the most tedious characters in all of TV and yet they just keep turning up like a bad penny.
Good job Greys. Getting rid of the best intern in Yasuda. I love the others don’t get me wrong (Jules is my other fave) but this is such a poor decision on their part. As for the older cast, Owen just needs to go already please. He has outstayed his welcome by a good 10 seasons or more. The only thing i want is Carina Deluca though. Cmon. She was on Greys first then moved to Station 19. She is the one who should be coming back ft to Greys.
Midori Francis, who plays Yasuda, made the decision to leave herself. Grey’s didn’t “get rid” of her.
To be fair to the show it was not their decision. The actress chose to leave because she has signed with a new agency and wants the freedom to pursue other roles. It was a resignation not a termination.
Watched every episode since start. Acting has declined. Scripts are mediocre. Best actors are given smaller roles. I have lost interest.
The best series yet very addictive 👌
So this thought hit me… and maybe I’m the last person to realize… that everyone talks about the MAGIC era (Meredith, Alex, George, Izzie, Christina)… but did they quite literally try to recreate that with MAGYK (Millin, Adams, Griffith, Yasuda, Kwon)?
Anywho… curious to see what the next season brings. Would love to see recurring greats from all 3 shows… including of course, the one and only Addison Montgomery.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Bring back Station19.
Marina spin off
OR
At least have Stefania return to Grey’s
To much change we like to see the stars that make the programme what it is look what happened when meredith went walk about not good