Grey’s Anatomy just keeps going with a renewal for a 22nd season. The pickup is extending the show’s record as the longest-running primetime medical drama and the longest-running ABC primetime scripted series. I hear Season 22 will consist of 18 episodes, matching the episode count of Season 21 as well as the typical length of ABC drama seasons nowadays.
The drama’s titular star, Ellen Pompeo, will continue as executive producer and narrator and also is expected to once again reprise her role as Meredith Grey. To what extent is unclear at this point. After 19 seasons as the show’s lead, Pompeo scaled back her on-screen presence in Season 20 and has been recurring since while continuing to get top billing on the series.
There are no major contingencies to the Grey’s Anatomy renewal this time as the longest-tenured cast members made deals last year that have options for next season, sources said, so all are set to return if asked back. The group includes the two remaining full-time OGs, Chandra Wilson (Bailey), who is also a co-executive producer, and James Pickens Jr. (Richard) as well as Kevin McKidd (Owen), Kim Raver (Teddy), Camilla Luddington (Jo) and Caterina Scorsone (Amelia).
Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy saw the departures of two series regulars, Jake Borelli and Midori Francis, with a new actor, Trevor Jackson, set to join in the last two episodes with an option to become a series regular in Season 22.
While no longer a strong linear performer, Grey’s Anatomy remains a streaming juggernaut that brings a lot of value to Disney. Its executive producing team includes creator Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers of Shondaland as well as current showrunner Meg Marinis, director and recurring cast member Debbie Allen and Pompeo.
Grey’s Anatomy joins fellow ABC dramas that also have been renewed for 2025-26 — 9-1-1, The Rookie, Will Trent and High Potential — with freshman Doctor Odyssey remaining in limbo.
