Grey's Anatomy Season 19: Everything We Know So Far — New Characters, Ellen Pompeo's Future As Mer And More

We know, we know: The Season 19 premiere of Grey's Anatomy is still a ways off. But like a good surgeon preparing for an especially tricky operation — or a fan who just... can't... wait — we've been studying up on what to expect from the ABC drama's return. In doing so, we've already amassed a good deal of intel — some of it especially telling.

For instance, we'll be seeing a lot less of Ellen Pompeo, whose workload as Meredith is being substantially downsized so that she can pursue other opportunities. The casting of five (!) actors to play new Grey Sloan surgical residents strongly implies that the hospital's teaching program, shut down at the end of Season 18, will get a new lease on life. (Flash back to that sad ending with our recap.) And the hiring of a series regular's onetime leading man suggests that his character's love life is about to take a turn for the better. Or maybe that's just wishful thinking on our part.

To find out everything we know so far, just keep scrolling. Check back often, too; as we find out more, we'll add to the list. When you're done, hit the comments with your hopes for and concerns about Season 19.

Has Bailey given up the chief's chair for good? Will Owen and Teddy spend the rest of their lives on the lam? Are Meredith and Nick really done-done? We'll find out when Season 19 gets underway on Thursday, Oct. 6, at 9/8c — right after sister show Station 19 begins its sixth season at 8/7c.

Although Ellen Pompeo will be back for Season 19, she's said to only be appearing in eight of its 20-23 episodes while she branches out from Meredith. (Step No. 1: executive-producing and starring in an upcoming Hulu drama.) In the future, she told Entertainment Tonight in May, we may get even less of Mer. She and series creator Shonda Rhimes are "going to try to keep [the show] going for the young people, not necessarily with me, but beyond me."

Among the new faces you'll see around Grey Sloan is that of Alexis Floyd, a veteran of Rhimes' Inventing Anna who will be playing Simone Griffin, per our sister site Deadline. The first-year surgical resident is described as high-achieving, funny, whip-smart and — ruh-roh — reluctant to work at the hospital because of her own painful history there.

Niko Terho, who threw sparks opposite Levi's portrayer Jake Borelli in the 2020 Freeform rom-com The Thing About Harry, has been cast as Lucas Adams, another first-year surgical resident. This one, per Deadline, is the charming black sheep of a family of surgeons to whom he is eager to prove himself.

Midori Francis, who you may recognize from Dash & Lily and/or Sex Lives of College Girls, has been tapped to play Mika Yasuda, yet another first-year surgical resident. The character, according to ABC, is the middle child among eight siblings. As such, she's used to being overlooked — and uses that to her advantage.

Adelaide Kane, a veteran of Reign, Once Upon a Time and SEAL Team, will suit lab-coat up as Jules Millin — yep, another first-year surgical resident, this one a good-hearted bossy type who ABC says "was raised by drug-addled artists/hippies and somehow emerged as the only real grown-up in the family... She's not afraid to break the rules to save a life, and sometimes it gets her in trouble."

The last of Season 19's new first-year surgical residents will be played by Glee grad Harry Shum Jr. Per ABC, alter ego Daniel "Blue" Kwan is "generous by nature but competitive to a fault, naturally gifted and used to winning at everything. A family crisis interfered with his career plans, and now he's got a lot to prove." We suspect he's come to the right place.

In August, ABC revealed the 10 cast members who would be continuing on as series regulars. They are: James Pickens Jr. (Richard), Chandra Wilson (Bailey), Caterina Scorsone (Amelia), Kevin McKidd (Owen), Kim Raver (Teddy), Kelly McCreary (Maggie), Anthony Hill (Winston), Camilla Luddington (Jo), Chris Carmack (Link) and Jake Borelli (Levi).

Although Scott Speedman was a series regular in Season 18, he was bumped to recurring status for Season 19. Which makes sense, right? If Meredith isn't going to be around as much as usual, significant other Nick wouldn't be, either.