Grey’s Anatomy Season 22: Will It Happen? Everything We Know

Stalwart medical drama Grey's Anatomy has become a fixture on the small screen across its two-decade run on the air thus far, but will the series score a season 22 renewal? Created by TV maven Shonda Rhimes, the long-running series follows the doctors and staff of the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Tasked with tackling an increasingly bombastic series of medical emergencies, the team at Grey Sloan must also balance their personal lives with their hectic work schedule. Though medical dramas are nothing new, Grey's Anatomy broke the mold and continues to do so 20 years later.

As the series dives further into its second decade on the small screen, Grey's Anatomy sees cast changes on a seemingly yearly basis, and is in a nearly constant state of flux. Though recent seasons have begun to lean heavily on surprise returns of legacy characters, Grey's has never failed to deliver the fun medical action that kept viewers tuning in throughout the years. While it seems as if Shonda Rhimes' smash-hit is finally winding down, the likelihood of a 22nd season nevertheless seems like a foregone conclusion.

Grey's Anatomy Season 22 Is Not Confirmed (Yet)

ABC Hasn't Ordered Another Season

Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox in Grey's Anatomy season 21's teaser trailer pointing angrily offscreen

Considering the fact that season 21 is still so new, it shouldn't be all that surprising that Grey's Anatomy season 22 hasn't been renewed yet. Nevertheless, ABC likely won't cancel the show, and a new season is all but guaranteed. Even though Grey's has seemingly been declining in recent years, the overwhelming popularity of the medical drama persists, and it remains a ratings hit for the network. This alone should be enough to score more episodes, not to mention the show's 2-decade legacy.

Even if ABC has plans to cut Grey's Anatomy soon, it would be a poor business decision to cancel the series in the middle of a season. With such a huge fanbase, and an important mark on TV history, the ending of Grey's Anatomy won't be a surprise. On the other hand, a show like Grey's never really has to end, and as procedurals like Law & Order have proved, can continue infinitely even with none of the original cast members present. Regardless of what happens, ABC's decision won't take long.

Grey's Anatomy Season 22 Cast Details

Who Returns To Grey Sloan?

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) smiles at Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) while outside the hospital in Grey's Anatomy season 19

The New Grey's Anatomy Cast Looking Shocked in Season 21

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey looking on in Grey's Anatomy season 20 episode 4

Ben Warren (Jason George) toasts Pru while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) laughs and smiles in Station 19

James Pickens Jr. As Richard Webber with tears in his eyes In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) smiles at Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) while outside the hospital in Grey's Anatomy season 19

The New Grey's Anatomy Cast Looking Shocked in Season 21

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey looking on in Grey's Anatomy season 20 episode 4

Ben Warren (Jason George) toasts Pru while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) laughs and smiles in Station 19

James Pickens Jr. As Richard Webber with tears in his eyes In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Close

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) smiles at Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) while outside the hospital in Grey's Anatomy season 19

The New Grey's Anatomy Cast Looking Shocked in Season 21

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey looking on in Grey's Anatomy season 20 episode 4

Ben Warren (Jason George) toasts Pru while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) laughs and smiles in Station 19

James Pickens Jr. As Richard Webber with tears in his eyes In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) smiles at Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) while outside the hospital in Grey's Anatomy season 19

The New Grey's Anatomy Cast Looking Shocked in Season 21

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey looking on in Grey's Anatomy season 20 episode 4

Ben Warren (Jason George) toasts Pru while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) laughs and smiles in Station 19

James Pickens Jr. As Richard Webber with tears in his eyes In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Close

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) smiles at Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) while outside the hospital in Grey's Anatomy season 19

The New Grey's Anatomy Cast Looking Shocked in Season 21

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey looking on in Grey's Anatomy season 20 episode 4

Ben Warren (Jason George) toasts Pru while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) laughs and smiles in Station 19

James Pickens Jr. As Richard Webber with tears in his eyes In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) smiles at Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) while outside the hospital in Grey's Anatomy season 19

The New Grey's Anatomy Cast Looking Shocked in Season 21

Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey looking on in Grey's Anatomy season 20 episode 4

Ben Warren (Jason George) toasts Pru while Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) laughs and smiles in Station 19

James Pickens Jr. As Richard Webber with tears in his eyes In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Actor

Grey's Anatomy Role

 

Chandra Wilson

Miranda Bailey

Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox and Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey in Grey's Anatomy season 21's trailer-1

James Pickens Jr.

Richard Webber

James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber in Grey's Anatomy season 16

Ellen Pompeo

Meredith Grey

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Giving a Close Lipped Smile in Grey's Anatomy

Camilla Luddington

Jo Wilson

Matthew Morrison as Paul Stadler and Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson in Grey's Anatomy season 14, episode 9

Kevin McKidd

Owen Hunt

Kevin McKidd As Owen Hunt In Grey's Anatomy Color Edited.jpg

Caterina Scorsone

Amelia Shepherd

Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) looks shocked while speaking with Catherine and Meredith in the Grey's Anatomy season 20 finale

Kim Raver

Teddy Altman

Teddy Altman looks concerned in Grey's Anatomy

Harry Shum Jr.

Benson "Blue" Kwan

Harry Shum Jr. As Benson Blue Kwan In Grey's Anatomy Season 19.jpg

Adelaide Kane

Jules Millin

Jules Millin And Atticus "Link" Lincoln In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Niko Terho

Lucas Adams

Niko Terho As Lucas Adams In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Alexis Floyd

Simone Griffith

Alexis Floyd As Simone Griffith Looking Scared In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Chris Cormack

Atticus Lincoln

Atticus Lincoln with a smug smile on Grey's Anatomy

Jaicy Elliot

Taryn Helm

Taryn Helm smiling in a lab in Grey's Anatomy

Debbie Allen

Catherine Fox

Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox in Grey's Anatomy season 20, episode 10-1

Natalie Morales

Monica Beltran

Natalie Morales As Monica Beltran Looking At Scans In Grey's Anatomy.jpg

Jason George

Ben Warren

Ben Warren (Jason George) smiles at Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) in the halls of Grey Sloan in a Station 19 and Grey's Anatomy crossover

Michael Thomas Grant

Chaplain James

Michael Thomas Grant as Leif Looking to the Right in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist

Close

The cast of Grey's Anatomy season 22 is difficult to predict, and though there is a roster of familiar faces that will likely return, other returns are less certain. The events of season 21 will inform what happens in season 22, and that goes for the cast as well. Long-time stars like Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Grey have taken a step back, and even surprise returns are much more temporary. Kali Rocha returns as Sydney Heron in season 21, but the reunion probably won't carry over into the new season.

Despite all that, regulars like Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey and James Pickins Jr. as Richard Webber should be expected back, though the latter might finally retire after all. Mika Yasuda (Midori Francis) and Levi Schmitt (Jake Borelli) will be leaving during season 21, meaning the roster of young doctors will be even smaller in season 22. This means more new faces will likely be added between seasons, though nothing is confirmed yet.

The presumptive cast of Grey's Anatomy season 22 includes:

Grey's Anatomy Season 22 Story Details

More Medical Emergencies Are Expected

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox in Grey's Anatomy season 20's finale

Custom Image by Antonella Gugliersi.

Predicting what happens in Grey's Anatomy season 22 is difficult because it will likely play off of what happens at the end of season 21. Dr. Grey's rebellious decision to release the Alzheimer's research caused a ripple effect going into season 21, but that storyline will likely be resolved before the season is out. Though the overaching storyline is unpredictable, it's to be expected that the next seasons of Grey's Anatomy will see the staff take on new emergencies, and deal with the trials and tribulations of hospital work.

Grey's Anatomy Season 22: Further News & Info

I'm Worried That Grey's Anatomy Season 21's Returning Character After 17 Years Will End In A Major Disappointment

 

Related Posts

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts a New Yasuda Sibling Before Mika Departs

Mika Yasuda (Midori Francis) might be leaving Grey Sloan, but viewers will learn more about her family before that happens. Deadline reveals that Julia Rose has been…

Grey’s Anatomy’s Jason George Teases There Will Be ‘a Whole New Level of Friction’ Between Bailey and Ben (Exclusive)

Warning: this post contains spoilers from the latest episode of Grey's Anatomy. Jason George is teasing what’s ahead for his Grey's Anatomy character Ben and his wife…

These Real-Life ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Friendships Will Give You All the Feels—No Surgery Required!

Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey in 'Grey's Anatomy'moviestillsdb.com/Shondaland After more than 20 years of portraying the same characters, while starring alongside dozens of different actors and participating…

Deceitful Love review: Grey’s Anatomy hunk keeps everyone guessing in lusty age-gap mystery

Forget Patrick Dempsey’s McDreamy. For six years, the most swoonsome doctor in Shonda Rhimes's never-ending hospital drama Grey’s Anatomy was considered to be Giacomo Gianniotti’s Andrew DeLuca. Many viewers…

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts Julia Rose As One Of Mika Yasuda’s Sisters: First-Look Photos

EXCLUSIVE: We will get to know a little more about Mika Yasuda’s (Midori Francis) personal life before she leaves Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Julia Rose (Baskets) has…

“Grey’s Anatomy”’s Jason George Teases There Will Be ‘a Whole New Level of Friction’ Between Bailey and Ben (Exclusive)

"They had just started to figure out what their working relationship was when he went out to become a firefighter, but now he's coming in with a…