No medical drama has had the staying power of Grey’s Anatomy, but will the long-running ABC series return for its landmark 21st season?
After the premiere of the show’s landmark 20th season, all eyes look to the future as Grey’s Anatomy season 21 seems like a foregone conclusion. Debuting in 2005, the smash-hit ABC medical drama follows the doctors and nurses of a fictional hospital in Seattle as they respond to all sorts of health emergencies while still trying to balance their complicated personal lives. Even though the series has undergone major changes since its debut, it still dominates the ratings and is a bona fide TV institution year after year.
The popularity has grown beyond the main series and three Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs have expanded the world of the Shonda Rhimes-created program. Though the series has seen changes from the outset, season 20 marks the biggest change of all as star Ellen Pompeo has largely stepped away from the show after playing the role of Dr. Meredith Grey for the first 19 seasons. While Pompeo isn’t gone for good, her departure is the biggest test of Grey’s Anatomy’s staying power and season 20 ushers in a new era. Though it seems certain, Grey’s Anatomy season 21 isn’t guaranteed yet.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Is Not Confirmed
ABC Has Not Renewed The Show Yet
Because the 20th season of Grey’s Anatomy is still so new, it’s not surprising that ABC has not renewed it for season 21 quite yet. Unlike previous years when the success of the series seemed certain, the new era of Grey’s without its star character in every episode is going to test the popularity of the two-decades-old medical drama. However, ABC will likely renew the series for a 21st season, and it would be unusual for such a long-running and popular show to go off the air without an appropriate amount of fanfare.
Grey’s Anatomy season 20 currently airs Thursdays at 9pm ET on ABC.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Cast
Who Might Return For Season 21?
Despite shakeups in the cast across seasons 19 and 20, the cast of Grey’s Anatomy season 21 will likely remain largely intact to preserve continuity. Ellen Pompeo’s season 19 departure was a massive change, and her sporadic cameo appearances will likely slow down as the show moves forward without her. Though a major death or shocking departure is always possible, season 21 will look a lot like season 20 in terms of its main cast. The only confirmed change is Scott Speedman’s exit as Dr. Nick Marsh, who is leaving the series as his character moves to Boston with Meredith.
Season 20 features a few returns such as Jessica Capshaw reprising her role as Dr. Arizona Robbins and Alex Landi as Dr. Nico Kim, but it is unclear if they will stay on for season 21. Other returns are possible, and Grey’s Anatomy has seemingly been bringing back legacy characters to help soften the blow of Ellen Pompeo’s departure from the series.
The cast of Grey’s Anatomy season 21 will likely include:
| Actor | Grey’s Anatomy Role |
| Chandra Wilson | Miranda Bailey |
| James Pickens Jr. | Richard Webber |
| Camilla Luddington | Jo Wilson |
| Kevin McKidd | Owen Hunt |
| Caterina Scorsone | Amelia Shepherd |
| Kim Raver | Teddy Altman |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Benson “Blue” Kwan |
| Adelaide Kane | Jules Millin |
| Niko Terho | Lucas Adams |
| Alexis Floyd | Simone Griffith |
| Midori Francis | Mika Yasuda |
| Chris Cormack | Atticus Lincoln |
| Jaicy Elliot | Taryn Helm |
| Debby Allen | Catherine Fox |
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Story
What Happens Next?
At this juncture, it is impossible to predict what will happen in Grey’s Anatomy season 21 since season 20 hasn’t concluded yet. The long-running medical drama has never shied away from shocking cliffhangers to end its seasons, and don’t expect season 20 to be any different. However, despite uncertainty in the overarching plots for now, it’s guaranteed that Grey’s Anatomy season 21 will feature plenty of shocking medical emergencies, a handful of workplace romances, and a considerable number of twists to continue the show’s long tradition of keeping viewers on their toes.
