We have two months more to wait until the Season 21 premiere of Grey’s Anatomy, but already, we know a whole lot about what to expect when Grey’s Sloan’s doctors scrub in on Thursday, September 26 (at 10/9c on ABC). For instance…
Unlike Season 20, which was shortened because of the writers’ and actors’ strikes, Season 21 will be 18 episodes long. In addition, Ellen Pompeo will have a greater presence as Meredith than she did the last go-round; she’s set to appear in seven episodes and possibly as many as 14.
Though budget cuts will reduce the screen time of many veteran cast members, we will be getting one alum back: Jason George, who crossed over Bailey’s husband Ben to Station 19 seven seasons ago, will be bringing the character back to finish his surgical residency.
As far as cast cuts go, Jake Borelli, who plays Levi, is out, as is Midori Francis, who plays Mika. On his way in is a new recurring character, the hospital’s gay chaplain. (That part has yet to be cast.)
Storyline-wise, you can get a sense of what Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy holds in store below…
Ready to ‘I Do’ It
Season 20 ended with Meredith and Nick more committed than ever to one another. (She’d even bought them a house.) Now there’s nothing standing in the way of their tying the knot.
Seems Like Old Times
Ben’s return to the residency program is set to make his wife his boss. Has he gotten his passion for feats of derring-do out of his system enough to keep from setting off the fire alarms in her head?
Pregnant Pause
Considering that he and Jo agreed they weren’t ready to have a baby together, he’s sure to be thrown by the revelation that she’s expecting — but not so thrown that we can’t imagine him proposing.
Decision Time
Though Simone and the other interns went to bat for Lucas, he still has a choice to make. Nice as it is that his peers and Bailey have his back, Maggie’s offer to move to Chicago and work with her is hella tempting.
A Family Affair
It promises to be awkward with a capital A when Amelia learns that after being turned down for a date by Monica, the new doc started sleeping with Winston.
Stepping Down
Richard has realized that it’s time for him to leave the operating room. But where does that leave him, period? He’ll face a major challenge as he tries to figure out who he is without a scalpel in hand.
Time of Death?
The one-two punch of the reappearance of Blue’s amnesiac old flame and Jules’ near-kiss with Mika probably means the end of the residents’ no-strings affair. Unless they finally admit that they’ve caught feelings!
Farewell and Adieu
To facilitate Francis’ exit, Mika will likely relocate to another hospital, one where she doesn’t have to work under ex-girlfriend Helm. As for Levi, watch for the peds fellowship he’s been chasing to be outside of Seattle.
Help Wanted
Don’t expect Meredith, Teddy, Amelia and Owen to be out of work for long. Catherine can’t expect Grey Sloan to keep functioning with half of its surgeons warming the bench!