Grey's Anatomy Season 20 Release Date Might Be Delayed
The absence of Grey's Anatomy from ABC's upcoming fall primetime schedule has understandably caused concern among fans.
So, what's next for this beloved medical drama following the finale of its 19th season?
Viewers are excited and eager to discover what's going to happen to Grey's Anatomy. Will it secure a 20th season? Might this milestone season draw the series to a close? And most pressingly, how long will fans have to wait for new episodes? Let's tackle these questions one by one.
First, will Grey's Anatomy return for a 20th season?
Breathe a sigh of relief: we have a pulse! In February, ABC confirmed the renewal of Grey's Anatomy for a 20th season. However, the new season will differ from its predecessors in several ways. Notably, Ellen Pompeo, who plays the iconic Dr. Meredith Grey, will no longer appear in the show as a regular. This departure leaves only two original cast members for the 20th season - James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber and Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey.
Additionally, Krista Vernoff, the showrunner for the past six seasons, has bid the series farewell. Stepping up to fill her shoes is Meg Marinis, a seasoned project member with numerous writing credits to her name.
So, will the 20th season be the show's swan song?
It's possible, but given the consistently high ratings and Shonda Rhimes' commentary in interviews, it's highly likely that Grey's Anatomy will continue for the foreseeable future.
‘I might be a very old lady by the time we reach its last season because it doesn’t seem to be stopping,’ the iconic series creator told Deadline. ‘We’re going to stay a show as long as everybody wants to be there and as long as the fans want to be there.’
What about the premiere date for Season 20?
With the recent conclusion of Season 19, it's still early days to speculate about the release of the next instalment. Historically, Grey's Anatomy has maintained a consistent schedule, with 16 out of 19 seasons premiering in late September. Despite a slight delay, Season 19 still launched in October last year. During the COVID pandemic in 2020, the 17th season, which featured a reduced number of episodes, began airing in November. However, this year might chart a different course.
The ongoing Writers Guild of America strike could potentially cause significant delays for the medical drama. This prediction aligns with the current landscape, as several shows have already experienced production delays. The absence of Grey's Anatomy from ABC's fall primetime schedule further compounds these concerns. However, it's not quite time to hit the panic button. ABC has assured viewers that the show's specific time slot and dates for other fall premieres will be announced in due course. Therefore, we can still hold out hope that the doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial will be back in their scrubs as planned.