After Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for season 20 back in March 2023, Grey’s Anatomy season 20 news — including the release date, the cast, and story details — have slowly been released. First airing in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy initially followed the lives of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her intern class as they began their residency at Seattle Grace Hospital (currently known as Grey-Sloan Memorial). While many of the subplots revolved around them solving complex medical cases or mysteries, the drama also explored the personal lives of the surgeons and allowed viewers to witness several iconic friendships and romances blossom between them all (such as Meredith and Derek’s or Jackson and April’s).
Since the show now has 19 season’s behind it, it’s not surprising that many of the main characters have left Grey’s Anatomy, and season 20 will see yet more changes. Still, that doesn’t mean that Grey’s Anatomy has ever lost momentum. The writers have constantly experimented with new romances and storylines to keep Grey’s Anatomy as engaging and unpredictable as possible. Season 19 even included a new and refreshing intern class, who have been a big hit with audiences thanks to their amazing chemistry. However, thanks to the gripping cliffhanger in the two-hour season 19 finale, “Wedding Bell Blues/Happily Ever After,” viewers are desperate to know for Grey’s Anatomy season 20 news.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Latest News
The most recent Grey’s Anatomy season 20 news isn’t surprising but nevertheless disappointing, as the series is one of many TV shows affected by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA stikes, The WGA and SAG-AFTRA are the writers’ and actors’ unions, respectively, and all writers and actors part of the unions that are working for AMPTP-related shows have to put down their pens and props. The AMPTP is the body that represents the major studios, networks, and streamers, and the unions on strike are negotiating with the AMPTP for fair pay and safeguards against the use of AI. Unfortunately, the negotiations are still at a relative standstill, with neither the actors nor writers unions feeling anywhere close to a settlement that guarantees a liveable income for the majority of the union members.
Unfortunately, Grey’s Anatomy season 20 is delayed due to the strikes, which has put an end to a commendable 18-year tradition. The long-running medical series has had a new season released every single year, but that hot streak has come to an end with Grey’s Anatomy season 20. As Grey’s Anatomy isn’t on ABC’s 2023-2024 schedule, this could be the longest gap between seasons ever, especially as it isn’t clear when the strikes could come to an end. As yet, ABC hasn’t given a clear answer of when to expect Grey’s Anatomy, but the delay could be significant.
Grey’s Anatomy season 20 was still in the early stages of development, as the season hadn’t entered production and the scripts for the episodes weren’t completed either. In that respect, it’s likely that the WGA strike had more of an effect on the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 delay than the SAG-AFTRA strike. That means that when the strikes do finally end, the writers still have to finish the scripts before production can begin. So that Grey’s Anatomy isn’t delayed by too long, ABC could decide to make a truncated season with fewer episodes, making it one of the few times a season has dipped below 20 episodes.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Confirmed
After it was announced that Ellen Pompeo was leaving Grey’s Anatomy after season 19 (via Parade), there was some speculation about whether the show would continue without her since her story and life were at the heart of the medical drama. However, these issues were resolved quickly by March 24, 2023, when Grey’s Anatomy season 20 was officially renewed Grey’s Anatomy by ABC (via Variety).
Season 20 looks in many ways to be a transitionary reinvigoration for Grey’s Anatomy, since lead Ellen Pompeo isn’t the only mainstay making her exit after season 19/ While Grey’s Anatomy season 20 will likely see new actors added to the Grey’s Anatomy cast, the series will also be changing behind the scenes as well since Krista Vernoff announced she was stepping down as Grey’s Anatomy’s head showrunner.
Taking over her role for Grey’s Anatomy season 20 is Meg Marinis, who has been part of the crew for many years, helping with producing, research, and editing. She has also written a few episodes herself, including season 6, episode 20 “Hook Line and Sinker” and season 10, episode 21, “Change of Heart”
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Release Date Prediction
With the season 19 finale of Grey’s Anatomy aired on May 18th, 2023, there will be a long time before the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 release date. Based on when the other seasons were released, the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 release date would typically have been in Fall 2023 (around late September/early October). However, with the writers’ and actors’ strikes, the season likely won’t be released until Spring 2024 at the earliest.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Cast
Immediately after the Grey’s Anatomy season 19 finale ended, there were reports about how several longtime Grey’s Anatomy cast members were returning for season 20. So far, Chandra Wilson (who plays Miranda Bailey), James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber), Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson), Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), and Caterina Scorsone (Amelia Shepherd) have all chosen to return for the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 cast. According to TV Line, Kim Raver (Teddy Altman) is also set to appear in season 20 as well.
Although they haven’t been confirmed just yet, it is likely that Harry Shum Jr. (Benson “Blue” Kwan), Adelaide Kane (Jules Millin), Niko Terho (Lucas Adams), Alexis Floyd (Simone Griffith), and Midori Francis (Mika Yasuda) will reprise their roles as Grey-Sloan Memorial’s impressionable interns as they played a pivotal part in season 19 and the finale. Chris Cormack (Atticus Lincoln) and Jaicy Elliot (Taryn Helm) are also likely to return in the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 cast now that they have just started blossoming romances with Jo and Mika. There’s a high possibility that Debby Allen will reprise her role as Catherine Fox too given how important she is to the hospital and is married to Richard.
Which Cast Members Won’t Return For Grey’s Anatomy Season 20?
After Ellen Pompeo announced her departure from Grey’s Anatomy (which resulted in her character moving to Boston to find a cure for Alzheimer’s), audiences also had to goodbye to another favorite character. Kelly McCreary announced that she was leaving the show after season 19 too. After playing the talented cardiothoracic surgeon in Grey’s Anatomy for nine years, McCreary decided to leave the hospital drama behind her to pursue other opportunities (via Deadline). However, that doesn’t mean that her character can’t return, as the writers left the door open for her to come back.
While Kate Walsh returned in Grey’s Anatomy season 19 for a brief stint, it does look like she may have also left again since there aren’t any more storylines for her. However, like McCreary, that doesn’t mean she won’t ever appear in any more episodes. Whether Kate Walsh makes another return for Grey’s Anatomy season 20 likely depends on Walsh’s schedule and the writers’ plans.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Story Details
After the climatic Grey’s Anatomy season 19 finale, which saw multiple couples confess their love for one another, Teddy Altman’s life hang in the balance after she collapsed in the OR from a toothache, and all the new interns making huge and life-changing risks, the Grey’s Anatomy season 20 story will likely follow up the events of what happened. Season 20 will likely explore the romances between Jo and Link, Simone and Lucas, Helm and Mika, and potentially Jules and Kwan since these are all new and will likely run into some issues as their relationships grow and develop.
Grey’s Anatomy season 20 could also see Lucas, Simone, or Kwan being punished for performing unauthorized surgery/ignoring a patient’s DNR (especially since there have been numerous characters in the past who have been fired for much less). However, as with prior seasons, plot details likely will be kept a closely guarded secret until much closer to the release date.