“‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Showrunners on Season 21 Premiere, Yasuda & Levi Exit”

SPOILER ALERT: The story contains details about the If walls could talk Episode of ABC Grey’s Anatomy.

The season 21 premiere of ABC Grey’s Anatomy It started and ended with a bang and left us with a few questions.

This shocking slap in the face from the promos came right at the start of the episode, when Bailey slapped her boss Catherine when she called her “just another doctor.” It turned out to be a recurring dream that Bailey had after she was fired from Gray Sloan because she objected to the decision to have Lucas repeat a year.

Spared by Catherine only because she brought in money, the interns were assigned a new supervisor, Sydney Heron (Kali Rocha) – upon her return to Gray Sloan after 17 years – but her overly friendly demeanor and “healing with love” made them miserable they quickly get angry. Attitude. Her reaction was similar to that of Meredith and her fellow interns in Season 2 when Sydney first got the job, filling in for Bailey while she was on maternity leave. Bailey went back to work at the free clinic and found a way back to Gray Sloan, where she saved a patient’s life and met Sydney in person.

There were no indications of Yasuda and Levi’s imminent departures in the premiere. (As Deadline exclusively reported, the actors who portray them, Midori Francis and Jake Borelli, will be leaving this season after completing their characters’ storylines.) After some doubts about his future, Levi ended the episode with the help of some encouraging ones Words from Link. And at the end of the episodes, Yasuda and Jules were able to clear the air about the “moment” they shared in last season’s finale and soon made out.

As for Link and Jo, after a few awkward situations where Levi almost revealed the truth, Link found out that Jo was pregnant and the two shared a loving hug.

Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) continued to defy Catherine – and her court summons. When pressed by Jackson – who had flown in to try to calm the situation – to apologize to his mother, Meredith reluctantly agreed, but before she had the chance to do it properly, she rushed to Catherine’s aid after she had collapsed. The medical emergency helped turn the tables, with Meredith gaining the upper hand and forcing Catherine to rehire everyone she had fired in exchange for their understanding of the condition of Catherine’s cancer and her decision not to undergo invasive treatment to undergo, kept secret from Jackson and Richard.

However, there was one condition: Meredith would resume Alzheimer’s research for Catherine, but “steer it in a different direction.”

In another major twist, Blue’s surprise “escape from the past” from last season, his amnesiac ex-fiancée, was back – and that appeared to be her memory too, at least in part.

In an interview with Deadline, Grey’s AnatomistExecutive producer and showrunner Meg Marinis, who wrote the premiere, explains the decision to bring Sydney back, what’s next for the interns and for the feuding Catherine and Meredith, and why the Gray Sloan doctors may be in for an awkward workplace dynamic Jason George’s Warren is back at his wife Bailey’s side.

Marinis also addressed Yasuda and Levi’s upcoming exits and hinted that Francis and Borelli could potentially return to the show in the future. Speaking of characters coming back, neither Monica (Natalie Morales) nor Nick (Scott Speedman) were in the premiere, but both actors will reprise their recurring roles, with Marinis teasing the future of the Monica-Winston and Meredith-Nick relationships. (As Deadline exclusively reported, Pompeo will appear in at least seven episodes next season.)

She also revealed the Season 21 theme and shared her memories of the late ABC/ABC Signature executive Stephanie Leifer, to whom the premiere was dedicated.

DEADLINE: How was the decision made to emulate a storyline from 17 years ago and bring back Kali Rocha’s Sydney Heron to replace Bailey?

MARINIS: Sydney Heron has been pitched to return to Gray Sloan numerous times over the years and it has never felt right until now. The dynamic between Bailey and Sydney in season two was so entertaining that asking her to come back and take over for Bailey was a perfect fit. Especially because these interns don’t know her. The first line Kali read at the table caused so many laughs. It was great to have her back on set.

DEADLINE: Is it safe to assume that Bailey will take over the leadership of the interns who weren’t particularly enthusiastic about Heron’s Healing With Love approach? And what awaits the interns this season after spending most of last season dealing with the aftermath of the S19 final?

MARINIS: It’s never safe to assume anything when it comes to this Grey’s Anatomy! When it comes to our interns this season, we can delve deeper into their storylines as we have an assignment for the entire season compared to last season’s 10 episodes post-strike. Lucas may be repeating his internship year, Blue has an ex-fiancée who we’ll learn more about, and we’ll also see romantic relationships continue to form and be challenged by demanding shifts at the hospital. If we know anything about our interns, it’s that they like to get into trouble. That’s why I’m happy for fans to see them make mistakes while learning to fix past mistakes.

DEADLINE: Can you tell us how Yasuda and Levi’s exit storylines will play out, since they were both in pretty good places at the end of the premiere, Yasuda was in a relationship, and Levi got his confidence back?

MARINIS: While I can’t speak to any of its storylines this season due to spoilers, I can say that I’m really happy with the way we’re honoring the characters we’ve built over the years
Season. Jake and Midori are fantastic actors and will always be a part of this Grey’s Anatomy Family. And because of the longevity and power of this show, we all know that if you’re a part of it Grays Family, you are always part of the family and may come and go over the years.

DEADLINE: Talk about the power play between Meredith and Catherine and where the deal they made in the premiere takes them this season: Will Catherine’s cancer complication be a major storyline and what happens to Meredith’s research if she agrees to to go in a different direction?

MARINIS: Catherine and Meredith are a lot more similar than they think. They are both groundbreaking, strong women in the surgical field, but they have different approaches when it comes to breaking barriers. Catherine fights with Meredith because she constantly breaks the rules. Her cancer complications will force the two to work together, and Catherine will need Meredith’s support as she gets used to being in charge.

When it comes to Meredith’s research, the Alzheimer’s story is obviously something the series cares deeply about. Even though it may seem like Meredith’s research is on pause for a moment, she will always find a way to keep pushing to find a cure for the disease that is taking her mother, and Amelia will be there.

DEADLINE: Are Monica and Winston still there? Natalie Morales wasn’t at the premiere, so we didn’t get an update on the brand new couple. The same goes for Meredith and Nick. Are there any problems for them this season after the romantic reunion in the S20 finale?

MARINIS: As for Monica and Winston, you’ll just have to wait and see! But Natalie is a joy on and off screen, and we loved telling more pediatric stories with our characters. As for Meredith and Nick, she chose him last season and that’s what we’ll see in season 21. I love having both Ellen and Scott on set when we can have them; We have an open door policy here and I’m excited for fans to see where their relationship goes after we take it to the next level.

DEADLINE: Will we have a baby this season and how will the pregnancy affect Link and Jo’s relationship? Could there be a Grey’s wedding?

MARINIS: Jo’s pregnancy will be a big change for their relationship this season. We’ll see how they try to cope with work, the children they already have, and time for their relationship. It’s going to be a lot for this fan-favorite couple.

DEADLINE: How will Jason George’s Ben be reintegrated into Gray Sloan? Will it be difficult for him to return to medicine?

MARINIS: We are so excited to have Jason back! I think Ben’s relationship with Bailey is very solid. As for Ben’s return to Gray Sloan, I have to say it won’t be as easy as he imagined. When he returns to the hospital and Bailey potentially gets her job back, his wife will be his boss, so it will be an interesting dynamic to navigate when it happens. It will also create a fun dynamic between the other residents. Can they trust Ben as a colleague or is he a spy?

DEADLINE: Season 20 was themed “Back to Basics.” What is the theme for season 21?

MARINIS: The theme this season is definitely resilience. In the first half of the season, everyone remembers the end of season 20. So much is at risk. The second half will be about where we leave off in the midseason finale.

I think resilience as a whole is something that all Gray Sloan doctors have had to focus on over the years. It’s part of the fabric and the longevity Grey’s Anatomy. As a doctor, there are the highest highs and the lowest lows, and you have to learn and work hard to come out of it all and survive. Is the dream of finally becoming a surgeon worth all the personal sacrifices?

DEADLINE: The premiere was dedicated to Stephanie Leifer. Can you share with us your memories of her and her work? Grays?

MARINIS: Stephanie Leifer was an incredible person and dedicated advocate for Grays. She really believed in us from the start and supported our creative vision. I started my career as an assistant and delivered Grays Scripts were sent to her office and I remember her door was always open. She encouraged writers and participated in several Grays Milestone events. It was a heartbreaking loss for this family.