‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Teases a New Start for Meredith Grey Ahead of Season 18
Get ready — Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) is set to take on a new role in the Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 finale. So what’s next for the character ahead of season 18? A few members of the Grey’s Anatomy cast recently opened up about Meredith’s storyline in the new June 3 episode.
A brief recap of Meredith Grey’s journey ahead of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17 Episode 17
At the start of Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 premiere, Meredith caught coronavirus (COVID-19). The beloved character was unconscious for the majority of the cycle. So many viewers wondered whether Meredith would die. But luckily, she woke up.
In Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 Episode 16, “I’m Still Standing,” Meredith began to recover. However, she expressed some concern about her career as a surgeon, wondering whether she would ever operate again.
“I may never get back,” Meredith told Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson). “I can’t operate if I can’t stand on my feet. I can barely pick up my kids without feeling like I’ve run a marathon.”
Meredith claimed she just wanted to get her old life back. But at the end of the Grey’s Anatomy episode, the character had a revelation.
“I’ve spent the last few weeks worrying about going back to normal,” Meredith said. “But look where normal got us — sexism, racism, inequality, substandard care. What has just happened, we should never want to go back to that.”
Then Bailey asked Meredith to take over the residency program at Grey Sloan Memorial.
“I need you to put together a team that reflects our world,” Bailey said. “Take over this class and choose every class after this one. You shape them, you set everything. … Then you can make sure that this world doesn’t go back to normal.”
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ cast members hint what’s next for Meredith Grey in the season 17 finale
Ahead of the Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 finale, a few cast members teased what’s next for Meredith in the new June 3 episode. When speaking with Access, Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson) confirmed Meredith “takes on a new role in the hospital.”
Meanwhile, Anthony Hill (Winston Ndugu) teased Meredith’s return to Grey Sloan.
“You’ll get to see Meredith Grey, and everybody wants to see Meredith Grey,” Hill told E! News. “I’m glad that she’s back in the hospital. It’s a pretty big deal. I’ve heard some people chattering about what they think it might be or what’s going on. It’s kinda fun to hear different viewers who watch the show speculating and giving their theories. But it’s definitely worth watching.”
Then in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Kelly McCreary (Maggie Pierce) confirmed Meredith will go back to the beach, as teased in the Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 finale promo trailer. But the actor hinted that Meredith will be just fine.
“She’s got a really, really great reason to go back to the beach and I think that people will be happy to see her there,” McCreary said.
When will ABC release ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18?
Whatever happens to Meredith in the Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 finale, it certainly seems like the character is starting something new ahead of season 18. The ABC medical drama was previously renewed for another season.
“Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy have done an incredible job of honoring real-life heroes by giving audiences an unflinching look at one of the biggest medical stories of our time,” said Craig Erwich, President of ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals, per The Hollywood Reporter. “We’re so grateful to our talented casts and crews for their extraordinary work that connects with viewers everywhere, and we look forward to sharing even more defining moments with our fans next season.”
That said, the network has yet to confirm a release date for Grey’s Anatomy Season 18. But the new season will be part of ABC’s fall 2021-22 schedule. So stay tuned.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights on ABC.
