Everything You Need to Know About ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18

By Kelly Allen, Nicole Pomarico, Adrianna Freedman
25 October, 2021
Everything You Need to Know About ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18

Grey’s Anatomy fans, you already know the best news of your 2021 recently happened: the premiere of the long-running show's season 18 in September! That’s right, after about 16 years, the highly-touted ABC series is currently airing on Thursday nights, meaning we’re not about to say goodbye to Meredith Grey juuust yet.

While the show took its sweet time before securing a renewal (apparently, Ellen Pompeo wanted to ink a new deal before committing—understandable), the new season is airing right now despite the fact that writers prepared a season 17 finale that could have doubled as a series end.

Before you keep diving headfirst into this season of Grey's, here’s everything we know so far about season 18:

Grey’s Anatomy season 18 premiered in September!

While the COVID-19 pandemic caused several shows to premiere later than normal last year, things seem back on track for 2021. ABC announced that Grey’s Anatomy will be back on September 30 for its regular Thursday 9 p.m. ET/PT schedule.



 

Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. are all returning.



 

If you've been watching so far, you'll know that a few old. familiar faces are back. Thanks to the Hollywood Reporter, we know that some OGs are staying at Grey Sloan, at least for the time being. Chandra Wilson (Bailey) and James Pickens Jr. (Richard) got new deals, while Ellen got another pay bump to return in the titular role.

As ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke told Deadline in January 2020, there’s definitely more to come with our beloved doctors/nurses. But they will also let Ellen dictate just how long she wants to continue on the show. “Grey’s Anatomy will live as long as Ellen is interested in playing Meredith Grey,” Burke told the publication. “We will let her lead the pace on that.”

Season 17’s plot was set up so that it could’ve been the series finale.



 

Given how season 18 was up in the air for so long, this is super smart! Grey’s showrunner Krista Vernoff, who took the reins from Shonda Rhimes in season 14, told the Hollywood Reporter in March that the storyline could go either way. “I’m planning a season and a finale that could function as either a season finale or a series finale,” Vernoff said. “I’m planning for both contingencies and it’s hard and it’s not ideal. It’s not where I wish we were.”

Even though we now know there’s more to come, we’ll probably still get teary, NGL.

Some fan faves won’t be returning for season 18.



 

Jesse Williams fans, it might be time to look away from your screens. The actor announced his leave from the hit series after a record 12 seasons, making many a Grey’s fan upset.

 

“I will forever be grateful for the boundless opportunities provided to me by Shonda, the network, studio, fellow castmates, our incredible crew, Krista, Ellen, and Debbie,” he told Deadline about his decision to leave the show. “As an actor, director, and person, I have been obscenely lucky to learn so much from so many, and I thank our beautiful fans, who breathe so much energy and appreciation into our shared worlds. The experience and endurance born of creating nearly 300 hours of leading global television is a gift I’ll carry always. I am immensely proud of our work, our impact, and to be moving forward with so many tools, opportunities, allies, and dear friends.”

And as if Jesse exiting the show wasn’t enough of a blow, there’s one more person who won’t be around for season 18. Greg Germann, aka Dr. Tom Koracick, exited the series in mid-May. While he wasn’t on Grey’s as long as Jesse was (Greg joined the show in 2017), it was still a shock for longtime fans.

As he told Deadline shortly after his exit, he’s incredibly grateful for his time with the Grey Sloan doctors, nurses, and interns. “To have worked with all the incredibly talented people involved with Grey’s over the past few years has been such a privilege,” he told the publication. “A big thank-you to the fans as it has truly been a shared experience!”



 

Oh! And don’t forget that DeLuca literally died this season, so he’s not coming back either! Sorry for you all who were in denial and holding your breath on his return.

 

I know, I know—this is a difficult thing to read and your emotions are likely all over the place. But hey…maybe there will be some new doctor to thirst over? It is Shondaland, after all. They probably have something (or rather, someone) in the works to take over for Jesse and Greg. Just you wait.

Season 18 will pick up right where season 17 left off.

Okay, so we don’t actually know where the show is going after a season with so many ups and downs. But there are a few things we do know. Meredith is now the residency director, trying to save everyone’s lives from COVID-19. She’s also having drinks in the doctors’ lounge with Dr. McIrish, bringing the entire season full circle. Teddy and Owen? Yeah, they’re busy having tons of sex in the hospital, and honestly, thank goodness for that. There were supposed to be wedding bells for Maggie and Winston, but they decided to wait until a massive shindig could be held on the beach.

In true Shondaland style, there are bound to be some twists and turns this season. But hey—it’s all the more reason to tune in for season 18.

Image Credits: Instagram

Credit: Cosmopolitan
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