Everything You Need to Know About ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 16

From Cosmopolitan

After more than 14 years on air, Grey’s Anatomy has become such an institution that it’s hard to imagine TV without it. Through it all, fans have loved and lost (and lost again…and again), but what about next season? Don’t all good things have to come to an end sometime? Answer: HARD NOPE. Grey’s is pulling in millions of viewers every Thursday, and there are approximately zero signs of the show slowing down.

On that delightful note, here’s everything we know about Grey’s Anatomy’s future:

We’re getting a season 16...and 17

ABC confirmed the news in May and Shonda Rhimes was stoked, saying, “Everyone at Shondaland is thrilled that our fans’ commitment to TGIT continues.”

^Me @ this show.

The plot of season 16 is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Meredith, Alex, and Richard lost their jobs at the end of season 15, and no one has any idea what happens next-including the writers. In early June, showrunner Krista Vernoff told TV Line, “We’re not in the writers’ room yet for season 16.”

She also told ET that “nobody knows where anybody’s relationship stands, and nobody knows what it’s going to mean to Grey Sloan to have these three doctors be fired. Nobody knows what it’s gonna mean to the series to have these three doctors fired. We’re excited to get into the writers’ room and see where it goes from here, but we definitely blew sh*t up.”

It will *probably* premiere next fall

Grey’s has always been very loyal to fall TV, so we can most likely expect it to kick off sometime in September.

Ellen Pompeo is returning, fear not

Back in 2018, Ellen signed a contract for two more seasons. Which, YAY! But, er, what about the rest of the cast? Their contract situations are slightly mysterious, but Deadline reports that the “other original Grey’s actors” are In! It! To! Win! It!

Buuut season 17 could be Ellen’s last

Back in September, Ellen told Entertainment Weekly she’s about ready to get this show on the road. “I’m clearly not prepared right now to make any formal announcement about what my future is on the show, but I am really feeling like we have told the majority of the stories that we can tell,” she said. “It’s about time that I mix it up. I’m definitely looking for a change.”

Losing McDreamy at the hands of incompetent doctors was brutal. Seeing Cristina and Meredith dance it out for the very last time? ROUGH. Lexie dying under that plane? If you still cry every time you think about it, you’re not alone. But seeing Meredith Grey leave the show forever? That might be the worst thing Grey’s could throw at fans, like, ever.

Actually, season 17 could be *the* last

It’s hard to imagine Grey’s Anatomy without the title character, but we might not have to. In 2017, Shonda said the show is over once Ellen decides she’s done, so if she doesn’t want to return for season 18, the show might not either.

“Ellen and I have a pact that I’m going to do the show as long as she’s going to do the show,” Shonda told E!. “So the show will exist as long as both of us want to do it. If she wants to stop, we’re stopping.”

Yes, Dr. Jackson Avery is coming back

As of June, actor Jesse Williams’ fate on Grey’s was up in the air. But Deadline recently reported that he signed a two-year contract to continue the show. Phew-guess he survived that fog after all.

Pssst: In other cast news, Jake Borelli (Dr. Levi Schmitt), Chris Carmack (Dr. Atticus Lincoln), and Greg Germann (Dr. Thomas Koracick) have all been promoted to series regulars. CONGRATS, FRANDS.

Expect more Station 19 crossovers

Vernoff (the Grey’s showrunner) is taking over popular ABC show Station 19, which means we’re in for more crossovers. ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke said as much in May, informing that “people can expect crossover event between these series every week.” In other words, characters will be going back and forth across each show all the damn time. To which I say:

('You Might Also Like',)

• 16 Unexpected Fashion Rules That the Royal Family Follows

• The 8 Best Clarifying Shampoos for Getting Rid of Product Buildup

• Here's How to Flawlessly Conceal Your Acne