‘Station 19’: Here’s Why the Series’ Creator Chose the Number 19
When Station 19 Season 1 premiered in 2018, Jack Gibson (Grey Damon) explained that it had the best stats of the entire department in Seattle. However, the remark made fans wonder it’s actual fire station in Washington and why they chose that number.
‘Station 19’ Season 1 origin
The Grey’s Anatomy firefighter spinoff began with a backdoor pilot on March 1, 2018. During Grey’s Anatomy, viewers met the lead character from Station 19, Andy Herrera (Jaina Lee Ortiz). The episode also laid the groundwork for Ben Warren (Jason George) to transition from the medical world to his new firefighter world.
Station 19 Season 1 officially began on March 22, 2018, with a 10 episode run. It was the second spinoff to Grey’s Anatomy, following Private Practice. Stacy McKee created the series and served as showrunner for the first two seasons. Krista Vernoff took over for seasons 3 and 4.
Is ‘Station 19’ a real fire station?
With how the firefighters talk about Station 19, many viewers thought it could be a real place in Seattle, Washington. However, the exterior photos of the station are from the real Station 20 in Seattle. The set was also modeled after the real-life station, although they don’t have a pole. The producers added that extra prop for entertainment value.
Station 19 is not a real fire house in Seattle, which is one of the reasons the creator chose the number for the show. Creator Stacy McKee didn’t want to select an active fire station in the area. Instead, she went through the numbers that remained after she took out the actual station numbers.
According to the Seattle Fire Department, there is a range of stations ranging from Medic 1 to Station 41. A few available options that didn’t exist in Seattle already included the numbers four, seven, 12, 15, 19, and 23. McKee also could have picked anything above 41.
Where did the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Spinoff title come frome?
Show creator Stacy McKee began producing, writing, and editing Grey’s Anatomy from the beginning of the series. However, she left to create the new spinoff series in 2017. According to the Grey’s Anatomy fandom, McKee tweeted that she oddly likes the number 19. So, the title was born.
Is ‘Station 19’ canceled or returning for season 5?
As of April 22, 2021, Station 19 is not canceled or renewed for season 5. The series is pulling the same ratings, sometimes higher than Grey’s Anatomy. However, ABC usually doesn’t make its renewal announcements until May. Likely, fans will hear about Station 19’s next season within a few more weeks.
Since Grey’s Anatomy wasn’t renewed for a season 18 yet, ABC might announce the fate of the two Shondaland shows together in May 2021. Station 19 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST before Grey’s Anatomy.
