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'Grey's Anatomy' renewed for Season 23 as Ellen Pompeo's medical drama continues its hot streak

The new season will feature some significant changes, like the departure of two long-time cast members

The doctors, residents, and nurses of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital will be back for a record-breaking Season 23. ABC renewed its high-performing show, 'Grey's Anatomy,' for the 2026-27 season, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This renewal further extends the show's record as not only the longest-running medical drama on American television, but also as the longest-running scripted primetime show on the network. The new season will feature some significant changes, like the departure of long-time cast members Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd, who play Teddy Altman and Owen Hunt, respectively. The duo will leave the show after the Season 22 finale, which is set to air on May 7, 2026. 

Though Raver and McKidd will exit as series regulars after the upcoming finale, the door will always remain open for their return. “Kim and Kevin will always be cherished members of the Grey’s Anatomy family,” showrunner Meg Marinis said in a statement via Shondaland. “While their story is coming to a close, this is never truly a goodbye. We are endlessly grateful for the years, the artistry, and the memories they’ve given to the show, and we look forward to cheering them on in whatever comes next.”

McKidd joined the show in Season 5 as Christina Yang's love interest, and has now appeared in a mammoth 379 episodes. Raver joined as a recurring character in Season 6 and was upgraded to regular status soon. The actress exited the show in Season 8, made a brief return in Season 14, and was reinstated as a series regular in the following season. Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. remain the only three cast members who have been with the show since its inception. Pompeo, though, has significantly reduced her screen time in the recent installments. The news about the renewal was also shared on the show's official social media page through a video. The short clip featured some much-loved characters, including Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber, Jason George as Ben Warren, Harry Shum Jr. as Benson Kwan, and Adelaide Kane as Jules Millin. However, there is currently no official confirmation about whether they will return for the next season.

The renewal wasn't surprising, though, as the series remains a strong performer on both live television and streaming. It boasts an initial on-air audience of 2.22 million viewers, which doubles within a week of streaming and other forms of delayed viewing. The show is also available for streaming on Hulu and Netflix, where it performs consistently and maintains a solid presence in Nielsen's streaming ratings. 'Grey's Anatomy' is likely to cross the 475-episode mark in the upcoming season. The show has aired on Thursdays at 10/9c for years, and will possibly retain the slot. No other details have been divulged by official sources as of this writing.