‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Showrunner Meg Marinis On Whether Season 20 Could Be Medical Drama’s Last
Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 19 extended cast: Chris Carmack, Midori Francis, Niko Terho, Alexis Floyd, Kevin McKidd, Kim Raver, Debbie Allen, James Pickens, Jr., Ellen Pompeo, Scott Speedman, Chandra Wilson, Kelly McCreary (who left the show), Caterina Scorsone, Anthony Hill, Jake Borelli, Camilla Luddington, Adelaide Kane and Harry Shum Jr.
Grey’s Anatomy continues to rewrite the TV history books, extending its record as the longest-running primetime medical drama with the upcoming landmark 20th season, which premieres this Thursday, March 14.
This also marks the first season of Meg Marinis, an 18-year Grey’s Anatomy veteran, as the series’ showrunner. And she is not planning it as the drama’s final chapter.
“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,” she told Deadline in an interview tied to the Season 20 premiere. “We still have stories to tell. 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.”
Created by Shonda Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy comes from Rhimes’ Shondaland and ABC Signature, part of Disney Television Studios.
Craig Erwich, President of Disney Television Group that includes ABC Entertainment, was asked about the series’ future at TCA last month.
“I think the show is as creatively strong as it’s ever been,” he said. “Not just the live [episodes] you are watching today, but it’s fueling growth for our streaming platform.”
Season 19 averaged 10.7 million total viewers after 35 days of delayed viewing across linear and digital platforms, making Grey’s Anatomy ABC’s No.1 entertainment series in delayed multi-platform viewing.
The drama is coming off a transformational 19th season season, with Pompeo stepping back, Kelly McCreary leaving and five new main characters joining the show, played by Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho and Midori Francis. The transition has been successful, with all five new cast members returning this season.
Asked by Deadline last month whether renewal conversations have started about a potential 21st season, Erwich declined specifics, saying,
“Right now we’re really focused on the momentous 20th season of Grey’s Anatomy, which is still amazing to say and is amazing to celebrate,” he said. “You’ll see that celebration on air, both in terms of the stories that they’re telling which continue to be of the highest quality and how we celebrate a show that is so iconic and so associated with ABC and one that we’re just so honored to have. It’s helped define the network over the last 20 seasons.”
