The Grey’s Anatomy cast is temporarily shrinking.
Two episodes into Grey’s Anatomy‘s new season 22, one of the series regulars is taking a short break, fans learned on Thursday, Oct. 16.
Season 21 of the long-running ABC medical drama ended with a bang — literally — when a catastrophic explosion at the hospital (which was the result of a hostage situation) left the lives of several doctors in danger. The impact of the blast is still being felt by the characters this season — Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), whose patient was responsible for the explosion, required an intervention from Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary).
Still, the trauma of the explosion was ultimately too much for her to bear, and season 22’s second episode saw Amelia announce she’s taking a sabbatical.
Amelia’s sabbatical provides an opportunity for Scorsone’s role to be put on hiatus, per Deadline. Sources told the publication that the actress’ absence will stretch across the next eight episodes, with Amelia eventually returning in 2026.
For the 2024-25 season, Grey’s Anatomy employed a cost-cutting measure that’s become more common in long-running shows of its kind: reducing the minimum guarantees for its longstanding cast members. The show shrunk series regular’s guarantees from 18 to 14 episodes per season, Deadline reported previously.
The same measure is in effect for Grey’s Anatomy‘s 2025-2026 season, per the outlet — with the exception of Scorsone, 44, who will be featured in 10 out of the 18 episodes due to her character’s sabbatical. The decrease in Scorsone’s screen time only extends to the current season, however, sources told Deadline.
Scorsone joined the show in 2010 for season 7, following her role in the medical drama’s spinoff, Private Practice. Her role as Amelia, sister to the late Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and sister-in-law to Meredith, is marked by her ambition as a doctor, plus her recovery from drug addiction and emotional trauma.
