Grey’s Anatomy Season 20: Is it releasing this fall?

Looks like the anticipated Season 20 of Grey’s Anatomy is currently on life support! 

Will ABC revive the Season with new updates, or will it pull the plug?

Following the massive conundrum of fans, the show has garnered innumerable accolades following its two-decade-long run ever since its debut in 2005! It has been placed on the critic’s year-end top 10 list. Additionally, according to Deadline, it averages 10.7 million total viewers after 35 days of delayed viewing across linear and digital platforms to rank as ABC’s No. 1 entertainment series in delayed multi-platform viewing. So you can only imagine the commotion being caused as ABC network remains mute regarding Grey’s Anatomy Season 20!

The cultural juggernaut has gardened legions of medical drama enthusiasts for almost two decades and will be back for another season! With its reinventing nature of storylines, relevance to modern medicine, and a revolving door cast, Grey’s Anatomy is set to be back for Season 20 after ABC revived the cult classic drama series for another season on March 24, 2023.

Not only this, we have some pivotal news surrounding a crucial cast member of the show, so stay with us till the end to find out! Looks like our resident doctors will not be skipping attendance at The Seattle Grace Hospital anytime soon.

If you are one of the fans on the receiving end of the spectrum and are wondering whether the stellar medical drama will be back to touchdown on its 20-decade-long run in September of 2023, you have come to the right place. Keep reading to find out!

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Status: Has Filming Commenced?

Unfortunately, all signs point to a resounding No on that one. Let’s skim through the facts a little more to support this statement. The finale episode of Grey’s Anatomy aired on ABC on May 18th, 2023, with the network reviving Grey’s Anatomy for a Season 20 before the finale airing on 24th March 2023. Based on the yearly filming pattern and release, the networking giant elucidated a 2023 fall release to the delight of its fans.

Check out the Season 20 renewal by Variety:

 

However, seems like this is not a favorable year for scripted shows due to the strike situation, even worse if most of the series have left their previous seasons in cliffhangers. Looks like Grey’s Anatomy has made its way to this unfortunate list. In response to the looming strikes, network giants and competitive networks of ABC, such as NBC and CBS, all took to the internet and revised their schedules accordingly and promised fall releases of the audiences’ favorite scripted shows.

However, this direction had to be altered once the strike entered its third month (WGA and SAG AFTRA) since no negotiations were underway. In that sense, the networks decided to update their schedules once again to accommodate highly-requested shows and ended up either postponing it to mid-season releases(2024 1st quarter) or hosting reruns of the earlier episodes of the show on the networks.

We will find out soon whether Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 made it to a 2023 release in a while. But this is what we know regarding the filming schedule. Since its renewal announcement in March 2023, the writers of the show never got to finish the scripts for Season 20. This means it never got to the stage of production before the writers and actors went on strike.

Essentially, if the strike dissipates within the next month or two, we can expect the scripts to be written and filming to commence by the end of 2023. Is it likely that the strike situation will simmer within the next month or two? The situation seems bleak at the moment. Here is why.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Release Date: Is It Releasing This Fall?

In a recent meeting, which was held for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday sadly failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. Their inability to agree on terms for returning to the bargaining table comes after their much-anticipated meeting to discuss a possible resumption of talks. “As of now, there is no agreement on these items, because the AMPTP said they needed to consult with their member studios before moving forward,” the union said in a statement late Friday.

If the AMPTP is holding out the negotiations further with statements such as these, it only makes sense that the actors will remain adamant in their picket lines till their demands are met. If this continues till the end of 2023, we cannot expect filming for Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 to begin filming this year at all. Hence, Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 will not be released this fall. We are viewing the possibility of a mid-2024 window instead.

Hollywood’s striking writers and major studios have agreed to hold talks on Friday for the first time since their strike began over higher pay demands in May 2023. “We’ll be back in communication with you sometime after the meeting with further information,” the committee told its members in its note.

Though it seems like good news, that doesn’t mean that the chance of the series being delayed further is still on the table if the strikes gain more momentum and don’t reach a resolution within the next few weeks, especially after the meeting. Following this news, if the strike does, in fact, dissipate within the next two months, we can gladly expect Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 to be released in the first quarter of 2024(January to March). If not, we will be viewing the release dates being pushed back to fall 2024.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Plot

*Spoiler Alert*

The American drama series focuses on the personal and professional lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. It elaborates on the personal and professional lives of the doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as a high-intensity medical drama where the team of doctors faces life-or-death decisions daily. They seek comfort from one another and, at times, more than just friendship. Moreover, the plot of Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 is also expected to pick up the plotlines and character arcs right where the 19th season left off.

The finale episode of Grey’s Anatomy Season 19, “Happily Ever After?” which was directed by Debbie Allen and written by Meg Marinis, played a crucial role in expanding the plot as it ended on a major note, where the viewers got to see Nick and Meredith open their hearts to each other. Bailey gets the recognition she deserves as Link and Jo share an affectionate moment. Later, viewers learn that Teddy’s life hangs by a thread. It is pretty evident that the next season will develop the story from this moment on.

To understand the premise on which Season 20 is likely to pick up, here is an episode list of Grey’s Anatomy Season 19:

S19.E1 ∙ Everything Has Changed

October 26, 2022
Six months later. A new team of interns begins training at the hospital as familiar faces return.

S19.E2 ∙ Wasn’t Expecting That
November 2, 2022
The attending surgeons and interns work together to solve a medical mystery when a college kid comes in with what first looks like food poisoning but has escalating and dire complications. Meanwhile, Jo spends her day off with Bailey.

S19.E3 ∙ Let’s Talk About Sex
November 9, 2022
Bailey recruits the interns to create a series of social media videos informing teens about sexual health. The videos, filmed at Grey Sloan in front of a group of high schoolers, hit home as a student had medical complications during her visit. Elsewhere, Meredith and Maggie learn something new about Zola.

S19.E4 ∙ Haunted
November 16, 2022
It’s Halloween night at Grey Sloan Memorial. Meredith and Nick try to spend some alone time together, Levi is stressed due to overworking, and Winston and Owen have the interns practice trauma training on a real cadaver.

S19.E5 ∙ When I Get to the Border
November 23, 2022
Bailey and Addison take a road trip to volunteer at a family planning center, but a patient’s ectopic pregnancy leads to complications. Elsewhere, the interns begin to clue in in regards to Lucas’s and Amelia’s relationship.

S19.E6 ∙ Thunderstruck
November 30, 2022
On the heels of life-changing news, a thunderstorm hits Grey Sloan. The attending surgeons and interns work together to save an injured reporter and family affected by the storm. Meanwhile, a beloved author undergoes a risky surgery, and complications from the storm arise.

S19.E7 ∙ I’ll Follow the Sun
March 8, 2023
On Meredith’s last day at Grey Sloan, doctors plan a goodbye surprise while Nick confronts her about their future. Interns compete to scrub in on a heart transplant, and Richard asks Teddy an important question.

S19.E8 ∙ All Star
March 15, 2023
Teddy makes a challenging decision; Maggie and Winston aren’t on speaking terms; Link leans on Jo for emotional support as he preps for surgery on a well-known athlete; Simone and Lucas are surprised by an unlikely visitor.

S19.E9 ∙ Love Don’t Cost a Thing
March 22, 2023
Simone is met with a life-changing decision upon the return of someone from her past; Blue and Jules shadow Maggie on a risky case; Jo and Link tend to a pregnant woman; Lucas and Mika throw a party filled with surprises.

S19.E10 ∙ Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves
March 29, 2023
Catherine returns to Grey Sloan for a surgical case that makes Lucas and Blue queasy; Amelia treats a patient with a family that’s a little too supportive; Owen takes his medical future into his own hands, much to Teddy’s surprise.

S19.E11 ∙ Training Day
April 5, 2023
Addison makes a special appearance at Grey Sloan to welcome Bailey’s new OB/GYN trainees. Maggie’s lung transplant is derailed, and Nick bonds with Lucas – before the day takes a shocking turn.

S19.E12 ∙ Pick Yourself Up
April 12, 2023
In the immediate aftermath of shocking events at the clinic, the hospital goes on lockdown and the Grey Sloan doctors split up to save multiple lives; Maggie lands in hot water with Winston; Jules’ roommate makes a surprise appearance.

S19.E13 ∙ Cowgirls Don’t Cry
April 19, 2023
A bull rider shows up at Grey Sloan with severe injuries, forcing Maggie, Amelia, Owen, and Blue to examine their own biases; Simone can’t find anyone to be her maid of honor; Mika takes drastic measures to pay down her student debt.

S19.E14 ∙ Shadow of Your Love
April 26, 2023
Maggie’s last day; Amelia’s relationship with Kai is tested; Ben worries as Bailey’s doxing intensifies.

S19.E15 ∙ Mama Who Bore Me
May 3, 2023
With Levi’s help, a patient celebrates a milestone; Jo processes a difficult diagnosis; Maggie and Winston decide their future.

S19.E16 ∙ Gunpowder and Lead
May 10, 2023
Amelia takes her personal problems out on her work colleagues, and the threats against Bailey come to a terrifying head. Lucas and Jules make a risky decision on a patient, and Mika struggles with burnout.

S19.E17 ∙ Come Fly With Me
May 17, 2023
Teddy calls an emergency meeting to discuss the intern program; Link wrestles with his own self-doubt as he preps for a massive surgery; Nick shares some much-needed guidance with a struggling Lucas.

S19.E18 ∙ Ready to Run
May 24, 2023
Richard and Teddy make an exciting announcement; Jules and Blue butt heads over Maxine’s care; Lucas helps an artist decide on a risky procedure; Jo and Mika tend to Sam; Simone faces a life-changing decision.

S19.E19 ∙ Wedding Bell Blues
May 31, 2023
Simone’s wedding day arrives as Jo and Link’s relationship hits a major turning point. Meanwhile, the attending surgeons fly to Boston, forcing a reunion between Nick and Meredith.

S19.E20 ∙ Happily Ever After?
May 31, 2023
The attending surgeons fly to Boston, forcing a reunion between Nick and Meredith; Bailey gets a big surprise.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Plotlines: What Will The New Season Explore?

According to the playing field laid out by Season 19 of Grey’s Anatomy, here are some possible questions Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 is likely to answer:

Is Teddy Alive?

The season 19 finale left us in the throes of a grim cliffhanger, which was unexpected. Teddy, the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital, was lying unconscious on the floor of the O.R. Her husband Owen walked in while she was trying to be revived, and there was that. A massive cliffhanger.

This is great news for the Grey’s Anatomy fandom because it looks like Teddy will not be leaving us in Season 20. Before the finale aired, Deadline reported that Kim Raver would return as a series regular for Season 20, along with longtime fan favorites like James Pickens Jr., Chandra Wilson, and Raver’s on-screen husband, Kevin McKidd. This fact makes it highly unlikely that Teddy will be killed off when Season 20 returns this fall.

However, it will be a rough ride for her as the chief with a heart condition (and she had been neglecting it for a while). Will she be back in full rigor and take over the responsibility at the hospital? Owen thinks she can do a much better job than him, at least. Will she be able to juggle the pressures of her cardiac health, her job, and her family? We will have to wait for Season 20 to find out!

Did Richard Succumb To Drinking Again? 

The finale scene surrounding Richard had our hearts thumping. On the flight earlier, he almost went for Catherine’s drink, thinking the flight was going to crash. However, Bailey, his sobriety police, knocks the cup out of his hand in time. Thereafter, we are shown a montage at the end where a drink is set in front of Richard, but whether he takes the drink or not, we do not know.

Season 20 will continue showing his struggle with addiction and Bailey being there by his side to guide him to the light at the end of the long, dark, damp tunnel.

Will We Witness A Divorce?

Things between Winston and Maggie do not seem to look up. They have projected grave differences in what they perceive love and work as. In that capacity, we catch a glimpse of them realizing that their marriage is not in the works and might need correction. In other news, we also saw some longing looks from Jules toward Winston.

Does this mean we will get another teacher-student romance in Season 20? Will this mean there is a divorce in the books between Winston and Maggie? Things are getting tense, and we need Season 20 to come fast enough to solve our doubts.

Will Jo And Link’s Relationship Face Trial?

Over the years, we have watched several dramas depict fiances leaving their respective partners at the altar for the pursuit of an unfinished romance with another person. We never thought we would witness that in a medical drama like Grey’s Anatomy.

The season 19 finale showed Simone coming to the hospital to tell Lucas that her heart still burned for him, and things ended up being steamy right before she got betrothed to Trey. She proceeded to the wedding but ended up leaving Trey at the altar and went looking for Lucas to confess that she wanted to be with him.

Incidentally, Lucas was called for emergency surgery for a patient who happened to get into a gory car accident, and it happened to be none other than Trey. He was chasing after Simone after she left him at the alter and got into a car accident in the process. Talk about a messy ending!

Where does this leave Lucas and Simone? Will they reconcile, or will Simone repent her actions and get back with Trey? Guess we will have to wait for Season 20 to find out.

Over these years, since 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has been one of those series that has donned the element of reinvention with class. With the fast-changing medical science and now Artificial Intelligence entering the market, new and evolved forms of treatment have developed.

Grey’s Anatomy has evolved with this change and has proudly adapted itself to the changing times. It is a great source of educational information and entertainment, as well as a motivation for individuals(particularly females) to pursue the medical field fierceness. This element might be a reason behind the endless accolades the series has been endowed with.

Nevertheless, if any more updates regarding Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 plotlines pop up, we will be sure to update them here.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20: Characters Who Are Reprising Their Roles

As of this writing, we can expect the following characters to reprise their roles for Season 20:

• Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey
• James Pickens Jr. as Richard Weber
• Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt
• Kim Raver as Teddy Altman
• Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd
• Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson
• Chris Carmack as Atticus ‘Link’ Lincoln
• Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu
• Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt.

Others who are expected to return to expand their arcs are as follows:

• Harry Shum Jr.
• Adelaide Kane
• Alexis Floyd
• Niko Terho
• Midori Francis.

There can be some prominent recurring cast returning for the new season:

• Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery
• Debbie Allen as Dr. Catherine Fox
• Aniela Gumbs as Zola Grey Shepherd
• Jaicy Elliot as Dr. Taryn Helm
• Jason George as Dr. Ben Warren
• William Martinez as Trey Delgado
• Calvin Seabrooks as Carlos Garcia
• Stefania Spampinato as Dr. Carina DeLuca
• E.R. Fightmaster as Dr. Kai Bartley
• Samuel Page as Sam Sutton
• Juliet Mills as Maxine Anderson

This will also be the first season since season 11 not to feature Kelly McCreary as Maggie Pierce after her departure during the previous season. On the other hand, there can be some other removals from the show, which, if they ever happen, will be confirmed later. For the crew members of the show, Meg Marinis will serve as the showrunner, taking over from Krista Vernoff, who left the show at the end of the nineteenth season. The show was created and executive-produced by Shonda Rhimes. Betsy Beers, Mark Gordon, Krista Vernoff, Debbie Allen, Zoanne Clack, and Meg Marinis are executive producers.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Character: Ellen Pompei Will Not Return!

You may have noticed Ellen Pompeo’s name missing from the above cast members. We have some grim updates on that!

Fans were more than devastated to learn of the exit of Ellen Pompeo, the actress who played the titular character of Meredith Grey and became an echoing household name throughout the course of the show. Meredith Grey’s exit was shown as a shift from Seattle to Boston following her daughter’s ill health surrounding Alzheimer’s disease. They were told that Boston had the treatment answers for this disease that is claimed to be incurable. So, can we never expect her back? Well, we arrive with good news to tell you that we may be seeing more of our beloved Meredith next season. She confirmed this herself in an interview with Variety Actors on Actors with former co-star Katherine Heigl,

“I will be making some appearances hopefully next year if I can find some time.” When asked about how her last day in the series felt, she replied saying,

“I am not completely gone. The storyline is very cool. There’s a lot to research that’s changing very rapidly about Alzheimer’s disease.” This means as long as her research with Alzheimer’s continues, we will get to see inklings of her throughout the show. At least that is better than not having her on the show at all.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20: Where To Watch

When released, you can watch Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 on ABC, and it will thereafter be streamed on ABC’s website and app once the episode airs on the broadcast. The episodes are also available to watch on demand and on Hulu the day after they air.

All previous seasons are currently available on:

• FuboTV
• Netflix

The series is also available for rent or purchase, depending on the viewer’s region on:

• Amazon Prime Video
• iTunes
• Google Play
• Vudu

Grey’s Anatomy Season 20: Official Trailer

Since there are no updates regarding the release date for Grey’s Anatomy Season 20, we do not possess the official trailer for the same just yet. However, we will be sure to update it here as soon as it is released. Meanwhile, you can take a look at the official trailer for Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 instead: