Alongside its status as one of America’s longest-running dramas, Grey’s Anatomy is also well-known for its two successful spin-offs. Over the years, the Grey’s Anatomy universe has expanded exponentially, showcasing what these hard-working medical professionals get up to when they’re not saving lives in Grey Sloan. From Private Practice to Station 19, Grey’s Anatomy fans don’t have to look very far to find their next dose of drama, and Ben Warren is the prime example of how the Grey’s Anatomy universe blends together.
After showing off his medical skills at Grey Sloan, Ben Warren transitioned into a firefighter in the spin-off Station 19. As such, he has become a key character in both shows and many fans adore his extensive character arc, but his appearance in both shows in three different professional roles can be confusing. So, who is Ben Warren, and when did he leave the hospital to become a firefighter?
Ben’s Career in Medicine Was Far From Easy
Ben Faced Numerous Setbacks During His Time at Grey Sloan
Getting a job at Grey Sloan is by no means an easy feat, and many professionals have to burn the candle at both ends in order to even press their noses against the doors of the OR. Yet, Ben Warren has to work twice as hard. Warren joined the team in Season 6 after the Seattle Grace/Mercy West merger and started working as an attending anesthesiologist. Although he was confident, things didn’t always work in his favor. In Season 6, Episode 13, “State of Love and Trust,” Ben was working alongside Miranda and Meredith in the OR. Despite putting the patient to sleep, the patient woke up in the middle of surgery and placed all the blame on Ben. Yet, it turned out that the patient had a rare condition that made it harder for them to succumb to the effects of anesthesia. Thus, Ben was in the clear, even if Bailey didn’t want to admit it. This situation highlighted one of Ben’s best traits; he was not the first person to get a telling-off from Bailey, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last, but he remains calm during every issue and doesn’t hold grudges against his superiors when they panic and get angry.
After the hospital shooting in Grey’s Anatomy’s Season 6 finale, Ben decided to embark on a hefty career change. He secured a prestigious internship at ULCA and was determined to become a surgeon. There’s no denying that going from anesthesiology to surgery is a big jump, but this shift allowed fans to get more insight into his personality, determination, and drive. Ben and Miranda had been dating for countless months before Ben started his time at UCLA, and Miranda was always absent from their relationship due to her massive schedule. Ben’s move into surgery could be a symbol of his devotion to Miranda. By working at the same level, Ben could spend more time with her at work and gain a better understanding of how her job weaves into her personal life. As such, Ben’s journey at Grey Sloan is far from simple, and his character experiences a ton of twists and turns. Yet, his ability to jump from one sector to the next keeps his arc fresh and exciting, helping fans to immerse themselves in his character even more.
His Journey as a Firefighter Kick-Started Station 19
Ben Kicked Off Station 19 as a Rookie Firefighter
Ben quickly became a core part of Grey’s Anatomy as a surgeon, helping out in major cases wherever he could. But, in Season 13, Episode 13, “True Colors,” Ben had another change of heart. Avid Grey’s fans will remember that this episode centered around a fire that broke out in Grey Sloan. Along with helping his peers in surgery, Warren also helped the Seattle Fire Department to evacuate the building. It was this moment that inspired him to retrain as a firefighter. Ben’s new career is the premise of the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Station 19, which focuses on what the Seattle Fire Department gets up to while the doctors at Grey Sloan are saving lives.
Station 19 also gives fans a better look at the city of Seattle. Grey Sloan is regarded as one of the finest hospitals in the city, but Station 19 allows fans to delve into the Seattle Fire Department and discover how a different set of heroes are saving lives on the ground. Although some fans feel that Ben’s sudden career change is a tad dramatic, he’s the ideal focus for a spin-off. Not only is Warren a well-established character in Grey’s Anatomy, but he’s also a useful resource for bringing Miranda Bailey into other areas of Grey’s Anatomy’s lore. So, alongside Ben’s journey fighting fires, fans can also gain a unique perspective on the hospital.
Station 19 is just as dramatic as its predecessor, and Ben Warren isn’t afraid to jump straight into the action. Season 2, Episode 15, “Always Ready” is widely regarded as the best episode of Station 19, and it showcases Ben Warren and his team trying to save their friend and colleague Lucas Ripley after a deadly explosion at a local coffee factory. In this episode, Warren exposes himself as a determined leader and a strong-willed man. Yet, he doesn’t hesitate to let his softer side shine though, especially when one of his own is under threat. Examples like this one showcase Ben Warren’s status as a leading man. In Grey’s Anatomy, he usually hid in his wife’s shadow and was never really given the chance to shine on his own. But, in Station 19, Ben handles a wealth of tense situations and enriches his character. Therefore, Ben quickly grew from a side character in Grey’s Anatomy to a fully-fleshed-out main character in Station 19.
Fans Won’t Have to Wait Too Much Longer for Ben to Return to His Old Stomping Ground
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 is Bringing Back Ben
Though Station 19 impressed audiences with its nail-biting storylines and frequent crossovers with Grey’s Anatomy, the show announced its final season in 2024. The emotive finale took place with Season 7, Episode 10, “One Last Time” and allowed the characters and the fans to say goodbye to the Seattle Fire Department. Undoubtedly, many fans will be sad to bid farewell to Ben Warren, but they may not have to wait much longer until he appears on their screens once again. Reports confirm that Jason George will be reprising his role as Ben Warren and returning to Grey’s Anatomy for Season 21.In an interview with US Weekly, Station 19 showrunner Zoanne Clack states:
We wanted to give options. We don’t have any kind of crystal ball about what’s going to happen, but we don’t want to lock in someone that didn’t necessarily need to be locked in. We could have killed Ben off in Episode 5 … but I think we’ve set up well that everyone is moving on or moving up and [medicine] seemed to be just the next place to take him.
Thus, it’s clear that Warren will be joining his wife and his old friends at Grey Sloan and continuing to tackle everything that walks through the doors. Although some fans felt it was slightly unnecessary to bring Ben back into the fold after so much time away, it’s clear that showrunners see him as an integral asset to the Grey’s Anatomy universe and are determined to extend his character arc even further.
Ben Warren is one of a few Grey’s Anatomy characters who have seen just about everything that the hospital has to offer. From starting out as an anesthesiologist to working his way up as a surgeon, it’s clear that Ben Warren knows Grey Sloan like the back of his hand. Now that his firefighting days are behind him, he can work on strengthening his relationship with Miranda, giving audiences a touch of personal drama to enjoy. Overall, Ben Warren’s career is quite impressive, but it seems that all roads lead back to Grey Sloan eventually.