‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 19: Premiere Date, New Stars and Everything We Know So Far About Meredith’s Return

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'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19: Premiere Date, New Stars and Everything We Know So Far About Meredith's Return

Paging a doctor — any doctor! Grey's Anatomy will return for season 19, but the hospital is seriously short-staffed after the spring finale revealed many docs resigned from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. When the show left off, the teaching program was shut down. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) chose to do a risky surgery amid a blood shortage — while the hospital's training standards were being evaluated by a visiting doctor. That was the final nail in the coffin of the residency program, which will have to start from scratch in season 19. However, a lot of familiar faces don't plan to be around for the rebirth of the teaching program. Obviously, interns and residents — like Taryn Helm (Jaicy Elliot) and Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli) — are being transferred to other hospitals to finish their training. Meanwhile, Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) are on the run after Owen was reported for illegally assisting veterans with ending their lives. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) quit, stepping down from her job as chief of surgery — after buying Owen and Teddy enough time to go on the run. Finally, Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) went on sabbatical as he mourned the end of the program he helped shape. [sendtonews type="float" key="Yazz1nKU8i-2833288-14453"] Meredith Grey seemed to be one of the only docs left in Seattle, making her the new chief of surgery — which wasn't the plan. She wanted to move to Minnesota with Nick (Scott Speedman), but the Harper Avery award winner can't bring herself to leave Grey Sloan in shambles. She told her new love to leave because she's chained to this medical facility — but is Nick willing to walk away from her? If she wants to start a new teaching program, Meredith will need help. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) noted that there were some issues with the learning methods when she visited last season, and the Umbrella Academy star is open to reprising her character again. “There’s a possibility. I don’t know what I would do,” Walsh told Showbiz Cheat Sheet in June 2022. “We’re chatting a little bit about the possibility of coming back for something, but I don’t know yet,” she continued. “But yeah, I just know that there’s going to be massive, just a lot in store for the next season, a lot of changes, a lot of really cool, I think new beginnings and different, just different places that the show is going to go.” There will also be some new faces. Alexis Floyd will play Simone Griffin, a "new first-year surgical resident at Grey Sloan," Deadline reported in July 2022. That makes it seem as though the hospital might get their status as a teaching institution restored quicker than expected. (Floyd’s character’s name, Simone Griffin, was been changed to Simone Griffith as of September 2022.) “Grey’s Anatomy, like all of Shonda [Rhimes]’ canon, is a genre re-defining show that remains masterfully committed to diversity, relevancy and vulnerability,” the Bold Type alum told the outlet amid her casting news. “Joining the cast in its 19th season is an immeasurable honor, and quite simply, it’s gonna be wicked fun.” Scroll down for everything to know so far about Grey's Anatomy season 19: [podcast_block]

Credit: Abc-Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19: Premiere Date, New Stars and Everything We Know So Far About Meredith's Return

Paging a doctor — any doctor! Grey's Anatomy will return for season 19, but the hospital is seriously short-staffed after the spring finale revealed many docs resigned from Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. When the show left off, the teaching program was shut down. Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) chose to do a risky surgery amid a blood shortage — while the hospital's training standards were being evaluated by a visiting doctor. That was the final nail in the coffin of the residency program, which will have to start from scratch in season 19. However, a lot of familiar faces don't plan to be around for the rebirth of the teaching program. Obviously, interns and residents — like Taryn Helm (Jaicy Elliot) and Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli) — are being transferred to other hospitals to finish their training. Meanwhile, Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) are on the run after Owen was reported for illegally assisting veterans with ending their lives. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) quit, stepping down from her job as chief of surgery — after buying Owen and Teddy enough time to go on the run. Finally, Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) went on sabbatical as he mourned the end of the program he helped shape. [sendtonews type="float" key="Yazz1nKU8i-2833288-14453"] Meredith Grey seemed to be one of the only docs left in Seattle, making her the new chief of surgery — which wasn't the plan. She wanted to move to Minnesota with Nick (Scott Speedman), but the Harper Avery award winner can't bring herself to leave Grey Sloan in shambles. She told her new love to leave because she's chained to this medical facility — but is Nick willing to walk away from her? If she wants to start a new teaching program, Meredith will need help. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) noted that there were some issues with the learning methods when she visited last season, and the Umbrella Academy star is open to reprising her character again. “There’s a possibility. I don’t know what I would do,” Walsh told Showbiz Cheat Sheet in June 2022. “We’re chatting a little bit about the possibility of coming back for something, but I don’t know yet,” she continued. “But yeah, I just know that there’s going to be massive, just a lot in store for the next season, a lot of changes, a lot of really cool, I think new beginnings and different, just different places that the show is going to go.” There will also be some new faces. Alexis Floyd will play Simone Griffin, a "new first-year surgical resident at Grey Sloan," Deadline reported in July 2022. That makes it seem as though the hospital might get their status as a teaching institution restored quicker than expected. (Floyd’s character’s name, Simone Griffin, was been changed to Simone Griffith as of September 2022.) “Grey’s Anatomy, like all of Shonda [Rhimes]’ canon, is a genre re-defining show that remains masterfully committed to diversity, relevancy and vulnerability,” the Bold Type alum told the outlet amid her casting news. “Joining the cast in its 19th season is an immeasurable honor, and quite simply, it’s gonna be wicked fun.” Scroll down for everything to know so far about Grey's Anatomy season 19: [podcast_block]

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Welcome to the Family!

The Jefferson’s alum Marla Gibbs was announced a recurring guest star in September 2022. Gibbs will portray the grandmother of the new resident, Simone Griffith (Floyd), who lives in Seattle,” Deadline reported. The actress’ character will be introduced in episode 2 and will return for episode 3.

Credit: ABC/Liliane Lathan

When Does 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19 Premiere?

ABC announced in June 2022 that Grey's Anatomy comes back on Thursday, October 6 at 9 p.m. ET. Spinoff Station 19 will return for season 6 the same night at 8 p.m ET.

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Is Ellen Pompeo Coming Back to 'Grey's Anatomy'?

Though the star often discusses the possible end of the long running medical drama, she officially signed on for season 19 in January 2022. However, the following August, TVLine reported that she will only appear in eight episodes. Grey's Anatomy typically has between 20 and 24 episodes each season.

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Is There a New Cast in Season 19?

New characters are always popping up. Floyd was the first new series regular to be announced for the new episodes. Her character Simone is described as "a funny, whip smart, high achiever with a complicated family dynamic," per Deadline. "She grew up in Seattle, but never wanted to work at Grey Sloan because of a painful personal history with the hospital."

Deadline also reported in July 2022 that Niko Terho landed a season regular gig, playing first-year surgical resident Lucas Adams. Sex Lives of College Girls’ Midori Francis also landed a role as a new surgical resident in season 19.

Credit: ABC/Liliane Lathan

Will Meredith and Nick Stay Together?

That's one question that likely won't be answered until the October premiere, but the September 2022 featurette about season 19 confirmed that Nick will definitely be in the new episodes.

Speedman previously noted that he's down to stay on Grey's as long as they'll have him. "Ellen Pompeo really drives what's going to happen to that story line and whether she wants to stay on the show or not," he told ET Canada in May 2022. "She's a great friend of mine and I've loved working with her, so I'm in it for the long haul with her. Whatever she wants to do, I'll join her."

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Are There More New Faces?

ABC announced in July 2022 that Midori Francis would play first-year surgical resident Mika Yasunda, who is “used to being overlooked and underestimated.” Later that month, Adelaide Kane was confirmed as new resident Jules Millin, who, after being raised by “drug addled artist/hippies,” has emerged as the “only real grown-up in the family.”

The network rounded out the new residents with the addition of Harry Shum Jr. The Glee alum will portray Daniel “Blue” Kwan, who is “generous by nature but competitive to a fault,” per ABC. His need to win has become heightened following a “family crisis.”

Credit: Courtesy of Midori Francis Iwama/Instagram

Have the Newcomers Met?

Shortly after their casting was announced, Francis shared a group selfie with Terho, Kane, Floyd and Shum. The Dash & Lily alum added an “Interns get it done” sticker to her July 2022 Instagram Story snap, referring to the group’s job titles at Grey-Sloan Memorial.

Credit: ABC/Liliane Lathan

Who Are the Returning 'Grey's Anatomy' Cast Members?

While Speedman will only serve as a recurring character in the new episodes, the original cast members are locked in. Wilson and Pickens will join Pompeo for their 19th year on the medical drama, guaranteeing that Bailey and Webber will remain by Meredith's side.

While ABC hasn't released an official cast list for the new episodes, Caterina Scorsone confirmed her return as Amelia Shepherd via Twitter as did Chris Carmack (Atticus "Link" Lincoln), who tweeted that he was at a table read on July 29. Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson) also noted via Instagram that she was heading back to set in late July.

Deadline announced in August that McKidd, Raver, Borelli, Kelly McCreary (Maggie Pierce) and Anthony Hill (Winston Ndugu) would also return.

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They're 'Ready and Revving'

Scorsone revealed that she already had the script for the Grey's Anatomy season 19 premiere. "Memorizing lines for #1901. It’s here. There will be updates," Scorsone teased via Twitter on July 30. "The classic cast is ready and revving. The new cast additions are exciting and gorgeous. Inside and out. Here we go."

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Fresh Faces

In August 2022, Pickens Jr. shared a photo of himself on set with several new cast members, including Francis and Shum Jr. "Let’s give a warm welcome to the new Interns of the Grey’s family, excited for season 19✌🏾," the actor wrote via Instagram.

Credit: Courtesy of Grey's Anatomy/Twitter

New Footage Is Full of Second Chances

The beleaguered residency program has to prove that it has grown and changed — and so do these interns. "We're all getting a second chance here today. We have to prove the doubters wrong," Meredith explains to the interns in a September 2022 featurette from ABC, which showed the first footage from season 19.

The hospital had to take the bottom of the barrel. Mer chose the doctors who had potential but may not have gotten into residency programs due to various personal obstacles. She promises that she sees "potential" in all of them.

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Is Kate Walsh Coming Back for 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19?

After making a long-awaited return for a brief arc in season 18, ABC confirmed in September 2022 that Walsh will be back as Dr. Addison Montgomery again in September 2022. "Those interns ain’t even ready 💅😂," the Umbrella Academy actress wrote via Instagram at the time.

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What Does the Season 19 Trailer Reveal?

Old characters and new ones alike are featured in the trailer for season 19, which dropped in September 2022. Day one fans will love the callbacks to earlier seasons — Levi Schmitt references the moment his glasses fell into a patient he was operating on, Meredith recalls sleeping with McDreamy when she was an intern — as well as the in-jokes about returning stars.

"Are you back?" Maggie asks Miranda, who simply replies, "I heard about the new class."

Credit: ABC/Nino Muñoz

How Did the New Cast Prepare?

In October 2022, new residents Alexis Floyd and Adelaide Kane opened up about the “two-week boot camp” they participated in before entering Grey Sloan Memorial.

"They taught us how to suture and how to check heartbeats," Floyd told E! News. “And how to listen for breath sounds and how to intubate people."

Kane added that while the training was “insightful,” finally being thrown into a “surgical experience” on the show was “insane.”

"You've got the surgical gloves on," she explained. "You've got hands in fake body cavities. There's so much to touch and pick up and you got so many tools in your hands. It is like a very grown up, very sterile playground."

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How Does Niko Terho’s Character Connect to Derek Shepherd?

After Terho’s Lucas Adams struggled to keep up with the demands of being a surgical intern during the season 19 premiere, it was eventually revealed that he is one of Patrick Dempsey’s character’s nephews. According to Amelia, Lucas “worshipped Derek.”

“I was looking at how to connect this class to the original fabric of the series without repeating those characters, or retreading story,” showrunner Krista Vernoff told Variety in October 2022. “Derek had all these sisters, who had all these kids — I remember writing about them in the early years of the show. With Addison, I remember writing a conversation where they were talking about Christmas gifts for all of the sisters.”

She added: “Lucas was born of the idea of he’s a little bit of Derek, and he’s a little bit of Amelia: But we didn’t meet Derek and Amelia when they were surgical interns! And this gives us that connection, but brand-new territory.”