Jump to:
- Is there going to be a season 21 of Grey's Anatomy?
- Do we know if this is Grey's Anatomy's last season?
- What is the Grey's Anatomy season 21 release date?
- How many episodes are in Grey's Anatomy season 21?
- Who is in the cast of Grey's Anatomy season 21?
- How can I watch and stream Grey's Anatomy season 21?
Grey's Anatomy just entered its second decade on television, showing no signs of flatlining.
It's only fitting that the twentieth season of the long-running medical series culminated in a massive wildfire break. By the end of the final episode titled "Burn It Down," many doctors were at odds with their futures at Grey Sloan Memorial.
Much hangs in the balance, with heads turning toward what's next. So, here's what we know about the future of Grey's Anatomy, including whether there will be a season 21.
Is there going to be a season 21 of Grey's Anatomy?
The doctors of Grey Sloan just got paged back. On April 2, ABC broke the news on Instagram that the long-running medical drama was officially renewed for season 21. "Push (twenty) one of epi! 😉 #GreysAnatomy will be coming back for another season on ABC! Stream on Hulu," read its caption.
It edges the series another step further in its record-breaking run as the longest-running primetime medical drama. Series creator and executive producer Shonda Rhimes told The Hollywood Reporter: "The loyalty and love of Grey's Anatomy fans has propelled us into a historic 21st season, and I could not be more grateful."
She added: "[Showrunner] Meg Marinis' storytelling is a gift that continues to keep the show vibrant, compelling and alive, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for next season."
Do we know if this is Grey's Anatomy's last season?
That's still unclear. However, Meg said in an interview tied to the season 20 premiere that they still have stories to tell. She told Deadline: "I've not been informed that this is the last season so I'm going to keep going and telling stories as long as they let me."
Meg added: "We receive a tremendous amount of support from the studio and the network and from Shondaland. So I'm going to keep going until they tell me to put that pen down."
What is the Grey's Anatomy season 21 release date?
Season 21 premieres Thursday, September 26, 2024 on ABC. It falls on the heels of the series earning an early renewal for the 2024-25 broadcast season, per The Hollywood Reporter.
How many episodes are in Grey's Anatomy season 21?
Nearly double the action lies ahead for Grey Sloan. Next season has an order of 18 episodes (compared to season 20's 10 episodes), per Deadline's reporting.
Who is in the cast of Grey's Anatomy season 21?
A mix of old and new key players will be scrubbing in.
Jake Borelli and Midori Francis are departing their roles as Levi Schmitt and Mika Yasuda, respectively. The two will tie up their characters' arcs in the first few episodes of season 21. Meanwhile, Jason George will be rejoining Grey's Anatomy as a series regular.
TVLine reports that the upcoming season is adding a new recurring chaplain, generally someone trained to provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, families and staff. The character is openly gay and described as a "superhero fanboy."
Meanwhile, original cast members Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr., plus Kevin McKidd, Kim Raver, Camilla Luddington and Caterina Scorsone will all return as series regulars — but not for all episodes due to budget reductions, says Deadline.
The show's namesake, Meredith's Ellen Pompeo, bowed out as a series regular at the end of season 19. But good news for Meredith fans: The actress is slated to star in at least seven new episodes.
It looks like Meredith isn't the only OG character coming back to Grey Sloan. A plethora of familiar faces are returning for Grey's Anatomy season 21, and fans will be thrilled by who's coming back.
People shared the news on September 12 that Jesse Williams will step back into his role as Dr. Jackson Avery, just as the trailer for season 21 dropped online. Judging by his cold interaction with Meredith, he seems like something is bothering him ... which likely will be explored upon his return.
As for who else is returning to the show, we have an old face back after almost 20 years since she was last seen. As Deadline revealed, Kali Rocha is reprising her character Dr. Sydney Heron for a three-episode arc in season 21. The last time she was seen was back in season 4, after being involved in a number of dramas (including losing a chance to become the Chief Resident of the then-named Seattle Grace Hospital).
And if that wasn't enough, Scott Speedman will be back as Nick Marsh for five episodes throughout Grey's Anatomy season 21, per Deadline. The outlet noted he'll likely be seen alongside Ellen Pompeo on screen, as Nick and Meredith continue to figure out their on-and-off relationship.
As for other new characters joining Grey's Anatomy season 21, The Hollywood Reporter announced Floriana Lima is set to play Nora, a childhood friend of Owen Hunt. She'll be coming to Grey Sloan as a recently single mom, ready to do whatever it takes to give her and her children a better life. She'll also be visiting Grey Sloan after a complication from an operation done at another hospital causes dangerous consequences.
How can I watch and stream Grey's Anatomy season 21?
When Grey's Anatomy premieres on ABC, folks can watch new season 21 episodes in real-time on TV. Alternatively, viewers can catch up on the ABC app or ABC.com the next day.
All past seasons of Grey's are now available on Hulu, with new episodes dropping on the streamer the day after their linear debut on ABC. Past seasons also remain available to stream on Netflix as well as Philo and fuboTV,
Or, purchase individual episodes of Grey's Anatomy on AppleTV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play and YouTube.
Jacqueline (she/her) was a commerce editor for Good Housekeeping from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining GH, she was a style and beauty reviews fellow at Insider, testing viral trends, reviewing sustainable brands and more. She's a graduate of the University of Florida's School of Journalism, with a specialty in magazines and mass communication.
As the entertainment and news associate editor for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey's Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
