ABC President Paul Lee has big plans for “Grey’s Anatomy,” even in the wake of star Patrick Dempsey’s exit. The series is heading into Season 12, and Lee wants it to keep going for years after that.
He confirms to reporters that next season is “absolutely not” the medical drama’s final season, and adds, “I would like to see [it] run for many, many years to come.”
Calling “Grey’s Anatomy” a “powerful, vibrant” brand with an “incredibly passionate” audience, Lee credits creator Shonda Rhimes with the reason the show will stay on the air.
“‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is written by one of the best writers in television,” he says. “I know she has great plans for next season and many years beyond.”
So does she. After reporters tweeted Lee’s comments about whether or not “Grey’s” would end, Rhimes tweeted back, “Exactly! Why would it be the final season?”
The synopsis for Season 12 is currently generic, teasing that the show “follows the personal and professional lives of a group of doctors at Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.”
Returning cast includes Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins, Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery, Sarah Drew as April Kepner, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Luddington as Josephine “Jo” Wilson, Jerrika Hinton as Stephanie Edwards and Kelly McCreary as Margaret “Maggie” Pierce.
“Grey’s Anatomy” is keeping its 8 p.m. ET Thursday night spot when it returns this fall.
