Grey’s Anatomy might be the longest-running scripted series on ABC’s primetime line-up, but the beloved medical drama doesn’t seem to be in danger of going anywhere anytime soon.
While the show’s linear ratings have slipped this season with the show’s move to the 10 p.m. closing spot, Grey’s Anatomy remains one of the most successful shows not just broadcast, but of all shows. In fact, the show finished 2024 as the second-most popular streaming show of 2024 behind only Bluey. Still, despite the show’s continued success, it’s natural for fans to worry about whether its time on air could be nearing an end.
The good news is that there doesn’t seem to be any end in sight for Grey’s Anatomy and the show most certainly will not be ending with its current 21st season!
“People always ask, ‘Do you think about this in terms of how long something will run?’ All we love to do is work on things that we love or are interested in, and that we would watch. That was sort of the key. I still think it’s a really fun show to watch. The great thing is, it’s a situation where you can bring people in and people leave, and people come back, and new people come in, and there’s always an engine for new personalities, new conflicts. The great thing and the sad thing about medicine is it’s always changing, and there are always new cases. As a setting, it’s great. As long as people want to watch it, we’re excited about making it.” showrunner Betsy Beers recently told Deadline when asked about the show potentially coming to an end.
So while Grey’s Anatomy has not yet snagged an early renewal similar to fellow ABC shows High Potential and Abbott Elementary, it seems there is no reason for fans to worry about Grey’s Anatomy coming to a close with its current season.
Grey’s Anatomy still feels fresh
Truthfully, there was a time not long ago when I would have said Grey’s Anatomy should come to an end. However, then the show introduced a new class of residents and it gave the show a much-needed second breath that has helped the show feel fresh and exciting again.
21 seasons in, the show is still finding new ways to surprise its fans and as Betsy Beers pointed out, medicine is always changing and evolving so the show has been able to draw inspiration from this in developing new storylines that wouldn’t have been possible to tell ten years ago, let alone when the series first premiered.
While there have been cast changes and we’ve hated seeing favorite characters leave the show, the writers have created an ensemble that is always evolving and changing to keep things fresh. We have longtime cast members who have been part of the show since day one, newcomers whose arrivals help introduce new storylines, and returning favorites who drop in from time to time to help catch us up on what they’ve been up to since leaving the hospital.
For this reason, it’s of no surprise that Grey’s Anatomy remains one of the most-watched shows on streaming where new fans continue to fall in love and join the existing fandom including the millions of fans who have been watching since the show began. ABC would be foolish to bring the show to an end when it remains such an impactful and beloved show, and fortunately, it seems ABC isn’t ready to part ways with the show anytime soon!