Grey’s Anatomy Renewed for Season 23, Extending Historic Run on ABC

ABC confirmed on March 30 that Grey's Anatomy will return for Season 23, making it part of the network's 2026-2027 lineup and cementing its status as the longest-running scripted primetime series in ABC history. The renewal was announced via a playful social media video featuring cast members gazing skyward at the message "Grey's Anatomy returns for Season 23" written across the sky.

The medical drama, which premiered in 2005, has become a cultural touchstone for healthcare workers everywhere. For nurses who grew up watching Meredith Grey navigate the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, the renewal is both familiar comfort and a fresh opportunity to ask: will the show finally do better by the nursing profession?

Who's Leaving and Who's Staying at Grey Sloan Memorial

The biggest news alongside the renewal is the departure of two beloved cast members. Kevin McKidd, who has played Owen Hunt, and Kim Raver, who has portrayed Teddy Altman, will exit as series regulars after the Season 22 finale airing May 7, 2026. Between them, the two actors have spent a combined 27 seasons on the show.

Creator Shonda Rhimes addressed the departures in a statement: "Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy's love story evolve and deepen. It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves."

On the returning side, several Grey Sloan veterans are expected back. Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey), James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber), Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson), Caterina Scorsone (Amelia Shepherd), and Chris Carmack (Atticus "Link" Lincoln) all reportedly have at least one more year on their contracts. Ellen Pompeo, who has been with the show since its premiere and serves as an executive producer, is expected to continue her scaled-back recurring role as Meredith Grey.

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A Streaming Giant With a Massive Audience

The renewal should come as no surprise to anyone tracking the numbers. Grey's Anatomy finished as the No. 1 most-streamed series globally across Disney+ and Hulu, according to Disney estimates. It also ranked as the No. 2 most-streamed show in the U.S. across Hulu and Netflix, per Nielsen data.

Those streaming numbers help explain why ABC continues to invest in the series even as broadcast budgets tighten across the industry. The episode count for Season 23 has not been confirmed yet, but reports suggest the network may order fewer than the 18 episodes produced in each of the last two seasons as a cost-saving measure. Season 23 will push the series past 475 total episodes.

The renewal also places Grey's Anatomy alongside other returning ABC series including Season 10 of 9-1-1, Season 2 of 9-1-1: Nashville, Season 6 of Abbott Elementary, and Season 3 of High Potential.

What Nurses Need to Know

Grey's Anatomy holds a complicated place in the hearts of nurses. The show has undeniably inspired people to pursue healthcare careers. Laura Tiu spent over a decade as a background nurse on the show before becoming a real trauma nurse in Los Angeles, enrolling at UCLA for her MSN while studying medical journals between takes on set. Real-life scrub nurse BokHee An, who brought over 50 years of operating room experience to the show, has spoken about wanting to inspire others to enter the field.

At the same time, the show has long been criticized by nursing advocates for marginalizing nurse characters. Critics have noted that much of what surgeons are shown doing on screen, from bedside care to patient education, is actually nursing work in real clinical settings. Positive, accurate representation can help attract new talent to nursing, while underrepresentation risks reinforcing outdated stereotypes about the role nurses play in patient care.

As Season 23 takes shape with new storylines and a shifting cast, nurses can hope that the writers' room finds space to give the profession the visibility it deserves. Whether you love the show or love to critique it, Grey's Anatomy remains one of the most powerful platforms shaping how the public sees healthcare, and that makes every renewal relevant to the nursing community.

🤔 Grey's Anatomy has been on the air for over two decades now. Has the show ever influenced your decision to pursue nursing, or do you think it does more harm than good for how the public sees our profession? Share your thoughts in the comments!