There are three different Grey’s Anatomy spin-off shows connecting to the main series, continuing the legacy of one of the longest-running and most popular shows in TV history. The series premiered its 19th season in 2022 and shows no signs of slowing down. Grey’s Anatomy follows the basic premise of medical dramas, telling the stories of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they do their best to balance their personal and professional lives, which end up overlapping most of the time.
The series was led by Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), one of the few characters from season 1 that lasted to season 19. Many other characters either left Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital (formerly Seattle Grace Hospital) or have been killed off but a few ended up in a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off. There have been three Grey’s Anatomy spin-off shows, which were met with mixed levels of success but all have debuted with audience interest thanks to a loyal fanbase. They’ve even started spilling over into shows unrelated to the medical drama.
Private Practice (2007-2013)
6 Seasons, 111 Episodes
The first Grey’s Anatomy spin-off series was Private Practice, which followed Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) after she left Seattle Grace Hospital in order to join a private practice in Los Angeles. The series was set at Seaside Health & Wellness Center (formerly Oceanside Wellness Group) and had several crossover storylines with Grey’s Anatomy. In fact, there was at least one connection in each season (some more prominent than others).
Private Practice ended in 2013 after six seasons and had a very successful run spanning more than 100 episodes. It also pulled off the rare feat of having a character introduced in the spin-off, Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), Derek’s sister, later join the original show as a series regular. That is a shining example of the longevity that Grey’s Anatomy has. Even Addison herself popped back up on the series in 2021 and reconnected with Amelia.
Station 19 (2018-2024)
7 Seasons, 105 Episodes
The second Grey’s Anatomy spin-off is Station 19, which, even though it is also set in Seattle, has nothing to do with hospitals. Instead, Station 19 focuses on the lives of the women and men at Seattle Fire Station 19, and it stars Jaina Lee Ortiz, Jason George, Grey Damon, and Barrett Doss. The series was introduced in Grey’s Anatomy’s season 14, specifically in episode 13, when firefighters were brought to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital after a fire. Unlike Private Practice, this spin-off show is still going, with Station 19 season 7 in 2024.
There have been several notable crossovers with major characters like Meredith, Miranda, and so many others appearing. Sometimes, it’s for a major storyline while in other cases, it only leads to a cameo to remind audiences that these shows take place in the same universe. Season 7 will bring Station 19 past the 100-episode mark, marking another milest one for the iconic Shonda Rhimes franchise.
Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team (2018)
1 Season, 6 Episodes
The third Grey’s Anatomy spin-off series is Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team. This series didn’t take viewers outside Grey Sloan Memorial, instead focusing on a group of interns at the hospital. B-Team was only six episodes long and was released as a web series, and its main characters were Dahlia Qadri (Sophia Taylor Ali), Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli), Casey Parker (Alex Blue Davis), Taryn Helm (Jaicy Elliot), Vik Roy (Rushi Kota), and Sam Bello (Jeanine Mason).
B-Team also had special guests from the main series, like Justin Chambers’ Alex Karev and Kevin McKidd’s Owen Hunt but was low key compared to other spin-offs. The events of the web series run concurrently to the 7th episode of Grey’s Anatomy season 14, “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story”. Every episode of B-Team was directed by Sarah Drew, who plays April Kepner on the main show, in her directoral debut.
Every Crossover Episode Between Grey’s Anatomy & Its Spinoffs
There Are 45 Crossover Episodes In Total
Naturally, the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off series overlapped with the original series from time to time, except for Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team, which never crossed over at all. There were 45 crossover episodes that Grey’s Anatomy spin-offs shared with the main series on regular network television.
As Grey’s Anatomy continues bringing more and more stories, it wouldn’t be surprising if it gets more spin-offs, and its options are not limited to a single location or city if these three shows are anything to go by. The show will also have to expand its storytelling beyond Meredith Grey after Ellen Pompeo’s post-season 19 exit.
Will The Grey’s Anatomy Japril Spinoff Happen?
It Hasn’t Been Confirmed By ABC Executives
The one Grey’s Anatomy spin-off series that has been talked about, but hasn’t happened is one involving characters Jackson (Jesse Williams) and April (Sarah Drew). Nicknamed Japril by fans, both Williams and Drew have talked about this possible spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy. Jackson and April had several struggles on the show, but in the end, they left the series to start a life together in Boston. They reappeared on Grey’s Anatomy’s 400th episode, still together.
Drew told reporters in 2021 that she would love for Japril to get back together for a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off series (via US Weekly). The actor explained:
How amazing and needed is a show about racial justice in the medical field and inequity and equality. How amazing would that be?
ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals President Craig Erwich said they are always looking to service the fans, but “There are no conversations about a spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy at this time.” However, both Williams and Drew said they would sign on if ABC wanted it.
There’s An Unexpected Grey’s Anatomy Connection In Only Murders In The Building
Jesse Williams Joined The Cast & A Fictional Grey’s Anatomy Spin-Off Is Mentioned
Although Only Murders in the Building is certainly not a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off series, there was an unexpected connection made between the two shows in season 3. This season introduced Meryl Streep as Loretta Durkin, an aspiring actor who was excited to land a part in a new Grey’s Anatomy spin-off titled Grey’s New Orleans: Family Burn Unit. On its own, that’s a fun nod to the show but it’s made better by Grey’s alum Jesse Williams also being new to the cast. Executive producer John Hoffman even noted that Williams commented on the reference.
“Jesse was very sweet about that. He was howling [during our Zoom table read] about the reference. And it’s a real homage. I mean, has there been a more successful show than Grey’s Anatomy ? What a windfall for an actress [like Loretta] to have that opportunity…. Watching Meryl Streep get excited about that for herself is just a dream.”
Ultimately, this was just a case of Only Murders in the Building having some fun with the idea of long-running procedurals and their many spin-offs rather than being any nod to an actual spin-off happening. The fact that Williams is part of the cast helped ensure that the joke was taken in stride rather than being taken seriously or as a dig at the series. Knowing the history of Grey’s Anatomy spin-offs though, it would probably end up being a hit if it were real.
Are There Any New Grey’s Anatomy Spin-Offs Planned?
While Grey’s Anatomy is still going strong, both Station 19 and Private Practice have drawn to a close. However, many fans would still be more than happy to see another spinoff set in the Grey’s Anatomy universe. While there are currently no concrete plans for a new spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy, that doesn’t mean another won’t appear in the future, especially if comments by ABC executive Craig Erwich are any indication.
Speaking in early 2024, Erwich expressed that ABC are still open to more Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs despite Station 19 ending. He explained that the reason there aren’t any concrete plans isn’t based on hesitancy to expand the shared universe of Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, and Station 19. It’s simply that the network currently doesn’t want to detract from the main show, so there’s not any urgency to create yet another title in the franchise:
We’re always open to new and different iterations on any of our most key franchises and our most realized shows, which Grey’s is one of them. I have lots of good stuff here, so need to break some of the stuff up.
Erwich’s comments confirm just how important Grey’s Anatomy is to ABC, and also that the show is still incredibly successful. This means that there’s little need to renew interest by creating a new headline-grabbing and fanbase-building spinoff. At the same time, the ABC exec also seemed to hint that there are several ideas in the pipeline, any of which could potentially appear in future as the next Grey’s Anatomy spinoff. It seems that it’s not a question of if, but rather, of when.