Ellen Pompeo Marks Her Return as Meredith Grey inGrey's AnatomySeason 20 First Look (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

After nearly two decades of medical marvels and dramatic twists, there are still more shakeups in store for Grey Sloan Memorial inGrey’s Anatomy’s20th season.

In an exclusive first look at the upcoming installment, shared with PEOPLE,Ellen Pompeois back as Meredith Grey for the hit medical drama’s milestone return.

“How long do I have to wait?” Meredith asks before the scene shifts to a shot of the surgical interns getting ready for a new day. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go,” Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) calls.

Ellen Pompeo is pictured as Meredith Grey in the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 20 teaser.ABC

ABC

While walking the halls of the hospital, Miranda tells Meredith: “The interns are in trouble.”

The teaser picks up where season 19 left off and gives a little insight into the cliffhangers that left fans wondering about the fate of their favorite characters in last year’s finale.

(L-R) Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.ABC

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Jo Wilson (Camila Luddington) and Atticus Lincoln a.k.a. Link (Chris Carmack) are on the precipice of a budding romance, Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) struggles with his sobriety and Simone Griffith (Alexis Floyd) tells Lucas Adams (Niko Terho) they “need to talk about what happened” after their hookup.

When Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) collapses during an operation after complaining of a toothache, Winston Ndugu (Anthony Hill) reveals that “Dr. Altman is in critical condition.”

Kim Raver as Teddy Altman on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.ABC

The long-running medical drama, which wasrenewed for a 20th seasonin March 2023, will see some major changes.

Season 20 will be the first not to feature Pompeo as a series regular. The actress already hada scaled-back rolein season 19 but will remain as an executive producer on the series moving forward, in addition to providing the opening and closing voiceover for each episode.

In an installment ofVariety’s Actors on Actorsseries, Pompeoopened up toher formerGrey’scostarKatherine Heiglabout the future of her character.

Ellen Pompeo, Alexis Floyd, and Niko Tehro in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Liliane Lathan/ABC/Getty

Liliane Lathan/ABC/Getty

Pompeo isn’t the only one fans will miss in the upcoming season. In March,Kelly McCreary, who took on the role of Meredith’s half-sister Maggie Pierce, announcedher departurefromGrey’s Anatomyafter becoming a series regular in season 11.

She added: “Playing Maggie Pierce has been one of the true joys of my life and I leave with profound gratitude for every step of this journey. I am excited for this next chapter, and what the future holds.”

Season 20 ofGrey’s Anatomypremieres March 14 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com