Culture May 10, 2021

'Grey's Anatomy' renewed for season 18, spinoff 'Station 19' returning for season 5

WATCH: 'Grey's Anatomy' cast members on what it means to be Black women in Hollywood
By Carson Blackwelder
Video by Brittany Berkowitz

"Grey's Anatomy" lives on! The ABC series, already the longest-running medical drama in primetime television, has been renewed for season 18.

Its spinoff, "Station 19," has also been renewed for season 5. Krista Vernoff will remain showrunner and executive producer for both shows.

MORE: 'Grey's Anatomy' showrunner on whether season 17 could be the end

"The writers, directors, casts and crews of 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Station 19' worked so hard to bring these shows to life this past season," Vernoff said in a statement. "Keeping each other safe on set while paying tribute to the front-line heroes and first responders has been a challenge and a privilege."

"I've been truly blown away -- particularly by our tireless crews -- as they reinvented the TV-making wheel," she added. "We are so grateful for the opportunity to tell more stories."

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This season "Grey's Anatomy" has tackled the COVID-19 pandemic, putting the life of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) -- the show's titular heroine -- in danger as she battled the virus. Characters from her past -- including her late half-sister Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), late husband Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and late friend George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) -- returned to ensure she survived.

ABC
Ellen Pompeo in a scene from ABC's "Grey's Anatomy."

"'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," Craig Erwich, president of Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, said. "Krista and her team of writers have continued to deliver the compelling and compassionate storytelling that is hallmark of these shows, and created some of the year's most-talked-about moments in television."

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"We're so grateful for 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," he added.

"Grey's Anatomy" also saw the departure of two beloved characters this season, as stars Giacomo Gianniotti (Andrew DeLuca) and Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery) will have said goodbye by the season finale.

There has been no word on the future of "Grey's Anatomy" beyond season 18.

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