Dr. Jackson Avery is back, but he doesn’t look too pleased with what is going on with Meredith et al, in a newly released promo for Grey’s Anatomy Season 21.
The promo, posted to People.com, largely revolves around series vet Kali Rocha’s return as onetime resident Dr. Sydney Heron. But midway through, we see Mer greet Grey’s alum Jesse Williams‘ Jackson with a “Welcome back!” — though his face isn’t exactly saying “happy to see me.”
Remember, the Season 20 finale left Meredith, Amelia, Teddy and Owen pink-slipped. When the new season opens, “We’re picking up right in the middle of this mess,” showrunner Meg Marinis shared as part of TVLine’s fall preview, though it’s a safe bet that the aforementioned docs won’t be unemployed for long. “How that situation resolves will be very surprising,” Marinis teased. “It’s not as easy as kissing and making up [with Catherine].”
So, is Jackson on-scene to help save the day, by helping his mother Catherine come to her senses?
Williams was a series regular on Grey’s from Seasons 6 through 17, after which Jackson has popped up now and again — most recently, in a November 2022 episode.
In addition to Williams’ encore and Rocha’s return (after a 17-year absence), Season 21’s casting moves include Jason George bringing Ben Warren back to Grey’s, now that Station 19 has ended; Michael Thomas Grant (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) recurring as James, the hospital’s new, gay chaplain; and Jake Borelli and Midori Francis bumped from series regular status, as Dr. Levi Schmitt and surgical intern Dr. Mika Yasuda.
ABC‘s Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10/9c.