Premieres: September 22
Airs: Thursdays, 9pm ET/PT
Network: ABC
Who Is In It? Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sara Ramirez, Jessica Capshaw, Justin Chambers, Eric Dane, Chyler Leigh, Kevin McKidd, Sandra Oh
Where We Left Off: Meredith and Derek are living apart leaving their relationship — and the fate of their newly adopted daughter, Zola — hanging in the balance. The residents are tasked with their first-ever solo surgeries, no longer under their attendings’ direct supervision in the O.R.
What to Expect: After her devastating interference in Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) Alzheimer’s trial, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) turns to Cristina (Sandra Oh) as Meredith’s professional and personal life suffer the effects. Cristina and Owen (Kevin McKidd) battle over her pregnancy. April (Sarah Drew) is elected chief resident and Alex (Justin Chambers) concentrates on being a better doctor.
New Faces: Martha Plimpton
Where We Left Off: Izzie (Katherine Heigl) underwent risky surgery, George (T.R. Knight) was hit by a bus before he could head to Iraq, and Meredith and Derek (Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey) had a makeshift wedding.
What to Expect: Knight won’t be back as George, but Heigl apparently lives on as Izzie. Steven Spielberg’s stepdaughter Jessica Capshaw will get more exposure as Callie’s (Sara Ramirez) romantic interest, Arizona, since she’s been signed as a regular for the show’s sixth year, and Pompeo evidently will remain a presence throughout the season – though her first child is due this fall. Plimpton is set to play a patient’s mother in multiple episodes.
Where We Left Off: A gunman terrorized Seattle Grace, killing people and seriously wounding Derek and Alex. Meredith had a positive pregnancy test, but later had a miscarriage.
What to Expect: Following the shooter's attack, all the doctors must be cleared by a trauma counselor before returning to work, and it will take Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) a few episodes before that happens. She also takes in a couple new roommates — April (Sarah Drew) and Jackson (Jesse Williams). Mandy Moore and Ryan Devlin are expected to return as guest stars, after first appearing in last season's finale.
