‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17: Camilla Luddington Teases More ‘Surprises’ Before the Finale
Grey’s Anatomy fans can expect more twists and turns in season 17. The new season debuted in Nov. 2020 and returned from hiatus back in March. Some of the installment’s highlights include Dr. Meredith Grey reuniting with several of her dead loved ones, such as her husband, Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).
Camilla Luddington, who plays Dr. Jo Wilson, recently teased how the rest of season 17 will go during her appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Camilla Luddington said ‘crazy, unexpected people’ will return in season 17
Luddington joined Grey’s Anatomy in season 9 as surgical intern Jo Wilson. Since becoming apart of the cast of Grey’s, the actor’s character endured several challenges at Grey Sloan Memorial. In addition to finding out who her biological father and mother conceived her through rape, Jo’s marriage took a hit in season 16. Due to actor Justin Chambers’ departure from Grey’s Anatomy, his character, Alex Karev, left his wife. The pediatric surgeon then reconnected with his ex-wife, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl).
While recovering from her divorce, Jo decides to form a casual sex relationship with her friend, Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). Amid their friends with benefits arrangement, Meredith is fighting for her life after contracting COVID-19. She also reconnects with Derek, as well as George (T.R. Knight). Fans will recall that George died in season 6.
Although many characters on Grey’s reunite, Luddington neglected to share if fans will see Karev again in season 17. However, she shared with host Kelly Clarkson that more “unexpected people” will join the cast for season 17.
“This season [fans will] know has been wild because we had McDreamy back the first episode,” Luddington said. “I’m telling everyone to watch live because we have so many crazy, unexpected people coming back that you wouldn’t imagine.”
Camilla Luddington hinted at more ‘surprises’ in season 17
During her interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Luddington teased more details about Grey’s Anatomy Season 17. In addition to the original cast members who already made cameos, the series announced that more fan-favorites would appear in upcoming episodes. Dr. April Kepner actor Sarah Drew recently confirmed that she’s returning to the series for a guest appearance. Additionally, the newest trailer for Grey’s shows Chyler Leigh’s character Lexie Grey as the next person on Meredith’s beach.
While referencing Drew’s return, Luddington also said that fans should expect more revelations as the season progresses.
“It got announced that Sarah Drew, who plays April Kepner, is coming back for an episode too,” Luddington said. “We have a lot of surprises this season.”
Is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ ending after season 17?
Due to the resurgence of past Grey’s Anatomy characters, many fans are concerned about the future of the show. In 2020, the series premiered later than usual because of COVID-19. However, it has received lackluster reviews since returning to ABC. Additionally, both Pompeo and Grey’s showrunner Krista Vernoff recently hinted at the show’s ending. The Meredith Grey actor said in March 2021 that if the series will end in 2021, she wants to give Grey’s a proper goodbye for the fans.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Vernoff said the network is negotiating whether Grey’s will get a season 18. However, she’s setting up the additional episodes as the final season of the ABC hit.
“I’m planning a season and a finale that could function as either a season finale or a series finale,” Vernoff said. “I’m planning for both contingencies, and it’s hard, and it’s not ideal. It’s not where I wish we were.”
