Carina DeLuca made a lasting impression on Grey’s Anatomy before transitioning to Station 19, and while she was great in the spinoff, her character truly shined at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. As a highly skilled OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Carina brought depth and emotional complexity to Grey’s Anatomy as she handled high-risk pregnancies and advocated for reproductive healthcare.
Now, with Station 19 ending after season 7, viewers wonder if Carina could return to the medical drama where she had the most impact. Grey’s Anatomy has a long history of bringing back beloved characters. so Carina very well could make another appearance. Her expertise in women’s health could be crucial for upcoming storylines, especially as Grey Sloan navigates reproductive rights and maternal medicine.
Carina Left Grey’s Anatomy For Station 19 Due To Her Relationship With Maya
Station 19 Allowed Carina To Explore New Relationships
Carina DeLuca’s departure from Grey’s Anatomy and her move to Station 19 was a significant shift for the character, driven by both personal and professional motivations. Carina was introduced as the lively and passionate sister of Andrew DeLuca, and while her role in Grey’s Anatomy was initially focused on her work as an OB-GYN, her storylines often centered around her romantic entanglements and her connection to her brother.
Her character development prompted her to move from Grey’s Anatomy to Station 19. The decision allowed Carina’s storyline to expand and integrate more with the Station 19 universe, where she could explore new challenges and new romances. Specifically, while on Station 19, Carina became more deeply involved with the firehouse crew, including Maya Bishop, who became a central point of her character arc.
Carina’s shift from one show to another was likely part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties between the two series. Station 19 has often served as a platform for characters and storylines from Grey’s Anatomy to migrate and grow, and Carina’s move allowed for more cross-over potential. Plus, Carina being on Station 19 allowed for storylines she never had on Grey’s. By the end of Station 19, Carina even had a baby with Maya.
Carina’s Work Was More Impactful At Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital
She Was Making Medical Breakthroughs
Although Carina’s move to Station 19 allowed her (and the writers) to experience new things, Carina was arguably better suited at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. She came to Grey Sloan because she wanted to work with a female Chief of Surgery. Upon moving to Seattle and securing a spot on Grey Sloan’s medical team, she wasted no time delving into important research. Carina was able to secure an MRI to look at women’s brains before, after, and during an orgasm. She then took the research that she did on female orgasms and used it to make childbirth less painful.
So, having Carina leave Grey’s Anatomy and jump ship to Station 19 is a curious choice. However, the writers likely wanted to explore Carina’s relationship with Maya in more depth, especially considering that bisexual relationships between women aren’t seen as much on television. But while the choice to bring Carina over to Station 19 certainly delivers valid representation, it doesn’t make her work at Grey Sloan Hospital any less vital or mean that she wasn’t better suited within hospital walls.
Carina’s Season 20 Cameo Opens The Door For Her Return To Grey’s
She Could Come Back As A Mentor To Jo
Carina’s cameo in Grey’s Anatomy season 20 reignites the possibility of her return to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, setting up a potential storyline that could bring her back full-time. The most obvious factor that could facilitate Carina’s return is the ongoing need for strong leadership in Grey Sloan’s OB-GYN department. Carina makes her cameo appearance in season 20, after an OB-GYN case goes awry. In that same episode, Jo also said that she was planning to quit any other medical pursuits and focus solely on OB-GYN work.
Considering that Carina was Jo’s mentor, Jo going back to focus on OB-GYN care seems like a natural way to bring Carina back into the show while also unpacking her personal life, which is seen in detail in Station 19. Her return could also reignite old professional relationships, particularly with her old mentor, Miranda Bailey, and colleagues who value her contributions.
Carina’s cameo reminds fans that she is still part of the Grey’s Anatomy universe, making it easier for the showrunners to reintegrate her into the main storyline. Whether through a temporary return or a long-term position at the hospital, Carina’s presence in season 20 hints at unfinished business at Grey Sloan.
There’s A Chance For Carina To Return In Grey’s Anatomy Season 21
The Show Is Known For Re-Introducing Characters
Right now, there are no official plans to bring Carina back for Grey’s Anatomy season 21. However, several narrative elements within the show suggest a plausible pathway for her reappearance. Carina’s OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist expertise has been invaluable to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. With the hospital continually facing complex medical cases, her specialized skills could be crucial in upcoming storylines.
The connections between Grey’s Anatomy and Station 19 provide a seamless avenue for character crossovers. Carina’s personal relationship with Maya in Station 19 further strengthens this link. Changes in Maya’s career or personal life could serve as catalysts for Carina’s return to Grey Sloan. For instance, if Maya were to take on a role that demands more time or relocate, Carina might find herself drawn back to the hospital setting.
It’s worth noting that Grey’s Anatomy has a history of dropping characters only to reintroduce them later to explore unresolved storylines or to infuse fresh dynamics into the narrative. Carina’s character arc still holds potential for further professional and personal development. Her return could delve into her journey of coping with her brother Andrew DeLuca’s tragic death, offering a deeper exploration of her character’s resilience and growth.
Grey’s Anatomy executive producer Meg Marinis discussed the potential for Carina to return to the series, saying, “Carina exists in our world, so [an appearance is] always a possibility.” While there hasn’t been an official confirmation from the show’s creatives about Carina’s return in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, the narrative groundwork laid in previous seasons, combined with the show’s popularity, makes Carina’s re-appearance an exciting possibility for viewers.