'Grey's Anatomy' returns for season 17 on November 12, as the doctors face one of their biggest challenges yet: the COVID-19 pandemic. HollywoodLife has the answers to all your questions about the cast, storylines and more.
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Avery ThompsonReading time: 4 minutes
November 12, 2020 3:22 p.m. EST
The waiting forgray anatomySeason 17 has been a long time coming, but it will be worth it. Brand new episodes of the longest-running medical drama will air on November 12. The season was onpostponed at the startdue to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but the cast and crew have begun production and filmed safely.
This season will be unlike any other. After seventeen seasons, the doctors at Gray Sloan have never faced a pandemic like this. Besides fighting the pandemic, the doctors will also manage their personal lives. To prepare for season 17,HollywoodLevenhave collected the most important things you need to know. From who's returning to whether or not this is the final season, we've got you covered.
Who's coming back?
Ellen Pompeois back as Dr. Meredith Gray along withgray anatomyveterinariansChandra WilsonInJames Pickens jr.such as Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Richard Webber. Meredith, Miranda and Richard are the only three cast members who have been on the show since the first season.
They are joined by the rest of the incredible castKevin McKiddals Dr.Owen Hunt,Jesse Williamsals Dr.Jackson Avery,Caterina Scorsoneals Dr. Amelia Shepherd,Camilla Luddingtonas Dr. Jo Karev,Kelly McCrearyI'm Doctor Maggie Pierce,Giacomo GianniottiI'm Doctor Andrew DeLuca,Kim RaverI'm Dr. Teddy Altman,Greg GermannI'm Dr. Tom Koracick,Jake Borellias Dr. Levi Schmitt, andChris Carmackals Dr. Atticus "Link" Lincoln.
Richard Floodalso returns to Dr. Cormac Hayes, but he will be a regular this season.Antonius Hill'scharacter, Dr. Winston Ndugu reconnected with Maggie in season 16 and their story continues. Anthony is also a series regular in season 17.
In the final moments of the season 17 premiere,Patrick Dempseyreturned as Derek Shepherd. Meredith collapsed and woke up on a beach. In the distance, Derek was waiting for her, smiling.Derek performsis likely the result of a hallucination since Derek died in a car accident in season 11.
What about Karev?
Justin Chambersshallnot returning as Dr. Alex Karev. The show wrote Alex off last season when he discovered itIzzie gave birth to their twins. He left Seattle and Jo to be with Izzie and the kids in Kansas.
The loss of a character like Karev was shocking, but don't expect another surprise like this in season 17. "There are no significant departures of cast members between seasons," says showrunnerKrista VernofftoldHollywood reporter.
What happens in the season 17 premiere?
The crossover premiere event withgray anatomyand sister show Station 19 airs on November 12 at 8pm. ThatStation 19premiere is followed by two hoursgray anatomyseason 17 premiere.
gray anatomywill last a month during the COVID-19 pandemic. All Gray Sloan physicians are on the front lines of this global health crisis. Meanwhile, an accidental fire forces first responders from Station 19 to take patients to the hospital for treatment.
Bailey finds himself in the middle of an argument with patients' families as they wait for news about their children being injured in a fire. Winston surprises Maggie while Amelia and Link try to have fun as new parents. Teddy discovers that her coworkers know more than she would like about her relationship with Owen, and Richard and Koracick know it too.
What about Amelia & Link's baby name?
Their son's name would be revealed in the season 16 finale. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the episode was never filmed. Fans will learn the baby's name in the season 17 premiere.
Go ahead and exclude Derek,gray anatomyfans. "I'll tell you the name isn't Derek," Krista sharedTHR. "I will tell you that the line in [season 16, episode 22] about Derek was that Link broke it down and Amelia said, 'I don't want to cry every time I look at my baby, so no.' the name is meaningful, yes.”
Is season 17 the last?
The show has not currently been renewed for season 18. However, Ellen isn't ruling it outends the showwith season 17. "We don't know yet when the show will actually end. But the truth is, it could happen this year," she told our sister siteWide fanin an interview for their issue Power of Women.
She continued: “I fight for it all the timeof showto be the best we can as a whole,” she continued. “As a producer I feel like I have permission to do that. I mean, this is currently the last year of my contract. I don't know this is the last year? But it just might be possible.”
