It is official. The beloved medical show was renewed for a record-extending 18th season, and the best part about it is ABC did not call this new season the final one.  

Original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. will be returning once again and staying for as long as they can. 

Craig Erwich, President, ABC Entertainment and Hulu Originals indicated that the network is hoping for more. 

“The fans loved this season. I thought Grey’s Anatomy did a really incredible job this year telling the stories of all the frontline heroes who are fighting the good fight (ageist) Covid. We will take Grey’s Anatomy for as long as we can.”

An exact date hasn’t been announced yet for the return, but fans should expect it to come out sometime in September of 2021 and wrap up in the spring of 2022. 

Other than the OG characters, other cast members have signed on for contracts lasting through a potential season 19. This list includes Kevin McKidd (who plays Owen Hunt), Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson) and Kim Raver (Teddy Altman). 

Grey’s Anatomy is television’s longest-running medical drama, and it will not be ending any time soon. 

Krista Vernoff, the architect of the integrated Grey’s Anatomy-Station 19 universe, will continue as executive producer and showrunner on both series, produced by ABC Signature.

In the 2020-2021 season, Grey’s Anatomy ranks as the No. 1 entertainment series among adults 18-49 and as ABC’s No. 1 show. With 35 days of delayed viewing across linear and digital platforms, Grey’s Anatomy averages over 15 million total viewers this season, and delivers a 6.18 rating among adults 18-49. 

Ever since the show began in 2005, the characters and storylines have brought thousands of tears and laughs (mainly tears) to the fans. Time will only tell what the new season has in store and where the beloved characters will be heading after the COVID-19 related season 17.