ABC Confirms: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Renewed for Historic Season 23 Amid Major Cast Shakeups
LOS ANGELES — The doors of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital are staying open. ABC officially announced today that its juggernaut medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, has been renewed for Season 23, further extending its record-breaking run as the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history.
The renewal comes as little surprise to industry insiders, given the show’s continued dominance in streaming. According to Nielsen data, Grey’s Anatomy concluded 2025 as the No. 1 most-streamed series globally across Disney+ and Hulu. Even in its third decade, the Shonda Rhimes-produced series remains a cornerstone of ABC’s Thursday night “TGIT” lineup.
A Season of Farewells
While the renewal brings celebration, it also carries a touch of melancholy for the “Grey’s” faithful. The upcoming 23rd season will be the first in over a decade without two of its most veteran stars.
As previously reported, Kevin McKidd (Dr. Owen Hunt) and Kim Raver (Dr. Teddy Altman) are set to exit as series regulars following the Season 22 finale, airing May 7. McKidd, who joined in Season 5, and Raver, a staple since Season 6, have both been integral not only on-screen but also behind the camera as frequent directors for the series.
The Return of the Icons
Despite the exits, the “Big Three” are expected to remain the show’s pulse. Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey), Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey), and James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber) are all slated to return for the 2026-2027 television season.
While Pompeo transitioned to a recurring role in recent years to pursue other projects (including her upcoming Hulu limited series), her presence continues to be the narrative glue of the show. “The show was streamed more than a billion times in 2024,” Pompeo noted in a recent statement, “It’s a testament to the fans who have stayed with us through every plane crash, hospital explosion, and heartbeat.”
What’s Next for Season 23?
Showrunner Meg Marinis, who took the helm in Season 20, is expected to continue focusing on the new generation of interns while balancing the legacy of the veteran staff. Sources suggest Season 23 may see a “back-to-basics” approach, leaning into the high-stakes surgical cases and tangled romances that first made the show a cultural phenomenon in 2005.
While ABC has not yet confirmed the exact episode count for Season 23, the series is expected to cross the monumental 475-episode mark during the upcoming run.
Grey’s Anatomy is produced by ABC Signature and Shondaland. Shonda Rhimes serves as executive producer alongside Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, and Meg Marinis.
Quick Stats: The Grey’s Legacy
Debut: March 27, 2005
Current Record: Longest-running primetime medical drama (surpassed ER in 2019).
Global Reach: Consistently in the Top 5 most-watched shows on Disney+ worldwide.