Grey’s Anatomy still has a pulse: ABC has renewed the hit medical drama for Season 20, TVLine has learned. In addition, the network announced that executive producer Meg Marinis will take the reins as showrunner next season, replacing the departing Krista Vernoff.
The renewal extends the show’s record as the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history; Grey’s premiered on ABC back in 2005. It’s still a ratings powerhouse, ranking as ABC’s top entertainment series in the key adults 18-49 demographic. The Season 19 finale is set to air Thursday, May 18.
Marinis has been an executive producer on Grey’s since Season 15; she started as a writer’s production assistant on the show way back in Season 3 and worked her way up to staff writer and then to EP, penning a total of 35 episodes along the way. She’ll take over for Vernoff, who announced her departure from Grey’s and Station 19 back in January.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to be entrusted to run Grey’s Anatomy for the past six years and Station 19 for the last four,” Vernoff said in a statement. “The passion of the dedicated fandoms and the impact that these shows have on hearts and minds cannot be overstated. The amount of talent in these two extraordinary casts and these two brilliant writers’ rooms is beyond measure — and these crews work magic week after week.”
Grey’s has gone through a changing of the guard in front of the camera as well: Series star Ellen Pompeo is no longer a full-time cast member, with her final episode as a series regular airing last month. However, she’s slated to return as Meredith Grey periodically, including for May’s season finale and at least one episode prior to that.
The current cast includes a slew of fresh faces that were brought in at the start of Season 19 to play the new class of first-year surgical residents. Other regulars include Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Kelly McCreary as Maggie Pierce, Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson, Chris Carmack as Link Lincoln and Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt.
TVLine’s Renewal Scorecard has been updated to reflect the news. Are you glad that Grey’s is scrubbing back in for Season 20? Hit the comments to share your thoughts on the renewal.
This makes me really happy as a fan who has been watching since the pilot. I was 13 when it started, so grew up with it…and then some. The quality is still there. That said; I do kind of hope season 20 will be the end. It just sounds like a great number to end with. If they continue the show of course I’ll keep watching though.
Love that it’s coming back! Iv’e watched it from the beginning, too.
Meg has written some of the most memorable episodes of GA — she wrote the S12 Penny dinner party episode
S13 Maggie’s mother dies
S11 Finale with Richard/Catherine wedding
S14 Sam’s DACA troubles episode
Lots of episodes between Season 15 and 19 (she wrote E2 of the cure season)
She was also responsible for a lot of strong Andrew Deluca episodes.
Adding my comment here so maybe it’ll appear since I already wrote a long one and it didn’t make the cut.
Long story short, Grey’s is not the same as it used to be. Not even close! I actually find myself now getting distracted, not paying attention and not caring anymore to rewatch and see what I missed! It used to be must see TV. I’ve watching since the Pilot too, 20 years ago! The writing and the show just do not compare. It went from great, to good, to just okay now. And not enough characters I’m invested in still on the show, with more leaving as well. No reason to stick around. But the show is on life support. They need to put it down now before it gets worse.
What do you care if it still airs if you don’t like it? Others are still enjoying it, but I guess you simply can’t handle it’s still on?
Yesss! Let’s keep’em coming!
Any news on Ellen’s involvement in the next season?
Point of order – it might be the longest running show in US TV history but not world TV history. That honour goes to UK show, Casualty (first aired 1986).
The Americans think no one else matters 😂😂
This is an American website aimed at an American audience. It’s only logical that only American TV shows would be covered, or shows from other countries that specifically air on American TV. That should be obvious to anyone with a functioning brain. Then again, the British think they are the only ones who matter. 😂😂
Maitless, Americans think that American ‘SHOWS’ is what this website is talking about. Go to the websites in your own country if you don’t like the answers here. Plain and simple.
Key word being Primetime which is only relevant to the American Networks.
It’s not even the longest running show in the US – I’m pretty sure Law and Order SVU holds that record, at the very least, it’s beating Grey’s Anatomy, since it’s on season 24! Grey’s is simply the longest running MEDICAL show specifically.
The article actually does say MEDICAL drama. Did they change that after it was first posted? Or are people just not reading it carefully?
Pretty sure the longest running US scripted prime time series is actually The Simpsons, checking it at 34 seasons (and with a 35th and 36th already approved).
They specifically said medical drama. I don’t think the Simpsons is a medical drama.
Don’t tell Dr. Hibbert that.
I was replying to the post talking about longest running prime time series. It’s clear that Grey’s is the longest running medical show. But others were suggesting that Law and Order is the longest running scripted prime time series in the US, and the Simpsons has been on longer.
The Simpsons is in a class all of its own!!
Yo Rick, maybe learn to read the ‘WHOLE’ article where it states MEDICAL DRAMA.
Law & Order: SVU would like to have a word.
Not a medical drama
“The renewal extends the show’s record as the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history”
First of all, the article clearly states that it is the longest running medical drama. Nowhere does it state it is the longest running TV show. Secondly, this is an American website that covers American television. If you want British television to be recognized, you should seek out a British website that covers British television.
Awesome news. Despite Ellen leaving and with hope she will return in season 20 I’m glad it’s not ending this season. It would have been really disappointing to just stop at 19. Will be interesting to see how the new show runner writes too. I’ll be honest I’m glad Krista has left. She has made some poor choices in terms of the writing. Meredith’s final episode as a series regular deserved so much better. She deserved so much better. Will be nice to see a fresh face in the team and see where they take it.
The new showrunner doesn’t properly look like a fresh face, according to the article:
she started as a writer’s production assistant on the show way back in Season 3
She is in the GA family longer than most of the cast members
I love Grey’s so much and the new casts members are delightful.
When someone is writing GA should be closed, I’ll c&P this from this article:
The renewal extends the show’s record as the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history; Grey’s premiered on ABC back in 2005. It’s still a ratings powerhouse, ranking as ABC’s top entertainment series in the key adults 18-49 demographic.
I have never had any interest in the show but 20 seasons is quite impressive. Congrats to all the fans.
Will they keep Ellen Pompeo first in the credits next season? If she continues doing voice-overs, but doesn’t appear physically in the episodes, then she should be at the end of the credits as Brenda Strong in Desperate Housewives and give top billing to Chandra Wilson and/or James Pickens Jr.
… or perhaps as an ensemble, list cast alphabetically but leave Ellen for last with a special credit as narrator.
I’d be totally fine if this was the final season. I feel like 20 seasons would be a great run
It’s gotten a little better recently but still can’t stand all of the politics! They are so heavy handed in expressing their views. Would be better if they could more respectfully showed both sides of issues instead. The preachiness is annoying!! But I think the show has more potential without Ellen. She’s been a drag on the show for years & is really not needed anymore. The show has a little more life without her. It’s still not like the early years though. Those will always be the best!!
Politics should be left out of tv shows unless it’s a show about politics, I don’t know how many times a tv show has to be cancelled after 1 season for show runners to get the point.
You are misapplying the word “politics”. Taking a stance on a particular controversial societal issue is not inherently political.
I agree about the politics and social issues! It’s almost made me quit the show before, and my best friend did stop watching.
I don’t like Ellen and glad she’s gone but this series has passed its prime and needs to go.
No, it doesn’t.
So, don’t watch. I don’t understand why people feel the need to make a declarations like this, but I guess people need to be meanspiritied jerks on the internet to feel good. Just watch something else. Millions of people disagree that it needs to go.
Exactly! If you don’t want to watch then don’t bloody watch. But basically wanting it to be cancelled and for hundreds of people to be made jobless is such an entitled worldview. Its so cruel. Its like saying I think where you work is pointless. Instead of avoiding it I want your company to close and you all to lose your jobs.
Yeah it wasn’t even surprising to me at all. I already knew it was gonna get renewed anyway. Grey’s anatomy will unlikely end.
Additionally Grey’s anatomy is turning 18 years old this Monday.
Isn’t Kelly McCreary leaving the show too?
(Maggie Pierce)
Yes…thank God! Wicked annoying character from the day she started!
April 13 is Maggie’s final episode as a series regular. I think it’s a two-hour event.
Season 20 should be Grey’s last.
As long station 19 gets renewed
So is the end game for the show to be 30? 40? seasons? At some point the plug needs to be pulled.
I’ve watched since the beginning and loved it but this season is not holding my attention. The newbies are not interesting to me and the plots are mostly uninspired.
Totally agree.
Same stories also like paying the bills for the house they share.
This is Awesome I have been a true watcher of Grey’s since 2005! I’m so happy to see it will continue! Greatest medical show I’ve ever seen on prime time. I also was true to show “ER!”
Best news! I have watched and loved Greys since it started back in 2005. I don’t believe it needs to end just because it’s got to Season 20. There is so much more that could be done. Just look at shows like SVU which is on Season 24 and still extremely popular. Greys doesn’t need to end – let’s give this new show runner a decent chance. If you are not enjoying it – simply don’t watch and leave it to the people who do.
I have a feeling this will be the final season. They already broke a record. Go out in your 20th season. I still find it entertaining, but I am ready for it to end.
If you’re ready for it to end, please stop watching. As you can see there are many others of us who aren’t ready for that just yet. smh
At least should drop the Grey’s and just be Anatomy for now on
20? just with MER i love Grey´s but i dont see season 19 and 20 without MER
I’m so happy Greys is continuing!!! I can’t imagine TV without it
This is happy news for me. Both Station 19 and Gray’s are great shows. I so enjoy.