For the last 20 years, Grey’s Anatomy has been at the top of the list of medical dramas. And after so many seasons, if you are wondering what’s next for the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, there’s some exciting news for you. The longest-running scripted primetime show on ABC is not ending anytime soon.
Shonda Rhimes’ masterpiece has survived cast changes, time slot shifts, and even a pandemic. Now, the show has been greenlit for its 22nd season. As we are recovering from Season 21’s finale, we are left with questions. Will Meredith Grey return full-time? Who survived the hospital explosion? Let’s also look at what the upcoming season might offer.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 is now officially confirmed
ABC has officially renewed Grey’s Anatomy for its 22nd season. The announcement was made on April 3, 2025, and the new season might premiere by the end of this year. The renewal news is not that shocking, as the show is still managing to pull off good ratings, and the story of Season 21 also ended in a cliffhanger.
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Season 22 will have 18 episodes, much like its previous season. However, this number is still a bit lower than that of the pre-2023 seasons due to the SAG-AFTRA Hollywood strikes, which also affected TV productions.
Speaking of production, no official date for the beginning of Season 22’s production has been announced yet. But it is expected to start soon, as the new season of the series usually premieres between September and November. There’s no reason that ABC would like to shift it to midseason.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 cast speculations
The burning question on every fan’s mind is—who’s coming back? The complete cast list is still not filled, but there are some confirmed returns and reports of potential comebacks. Ellen Pompeo is surely going to reprise her role as Dr. Meredith Grey. However, she will have limited appearances, as she has reportedly contracted for seven episodes in Season 22.
Though she has taken a step back in recent years, she is narrating and executive producing even if she’s not always on-screen, and it maintains a sense of Meredith Grey’s presence in Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
The veterans Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey and James Pickens Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber are also expected to return, though Webber might finally retire (or will he?). These two have been with the show since day one.
Trevor Jackson, who joined in episode 17 of season 21, is now confirmed to return in season 22. His character is still unnamed, but he might become a series regular, as he can cause some serious drama as a love rival to Niko Terho’s Lucas after a one-night stand with his girlfriend Simone, played by Alexis Floyd.
Other expected returning cast members include Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), Kim Raver (Teddy Altman), Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson), Caterina Scorsone (Amelia Shepherd), Jason George (Ben Warren), Chris Carmack (Atticus Lincoln), Anthony Hill (Winston Ndugu), Scott Speedman (Nick Marsh), Alexis Floyd (Simone Griffith), Harry Shum Jr. (Benson Kwan), Adelaide Kane (Jules Millin), and Niko Terho (Lucas Adams).
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 finale foreshadows Season 22
Season 21 has had a literally explosive finale. Now it has raised the expectations for what could be one of the most dramatic season openers yet. Jenna, being a desperate mom, held the doctors hostage with a gas canister and forced Meredith, Amelia, and Lucas to save her daughter. They pulled it off, and Jenna was arrested, but the explosion hit anyway.
Showrunner Meg Marinis has been quite cryptic about the whole thing. In an interview with Deadline, she said,
Everybody’s lives could be at stake. Everybody was in that hospital, except for two people, Meredith and Ben… If they weren’t outside the hospital, they’re there…Everybody is up for grabs, it’s fun. I won’t comment on whether anyone is harmed beyond repair, but it is the best kind of cliffhanger, with the fans screaming at their TVs.
However, her comments make one thing clear- Season 22 will open with serious consequences. Will a major character die? Probably. The hospital might need a major renovation, which might also change the workplace dynamics.
Some other storylines that might carry over could be Dr. Grey’s controversial decision to release her Alzheimer’s research, which was a big part of Season 21. But that arc may end up soon. Season 22 will possibly look more into new medical emergencies, love triangles, and personal struggles.
Twenty-one seasons completed so far, and Grey’s Anatomy still knows how to keep its fans hooked, with a mix of nostalgia and fresh drama, and at least one metaphorical or literal explosion per season. We will soon know whether Season 22 can carry forward the legacy for more seasons or not.
