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    Jessica Capshaw Joins Ryan Murphy’s ‘9-1-1: Nashville’

    (4/15/25) Jessica Capshaw (Grey’s Anatomy, Tell Me Lies) will star opposite Chris O’Donnell in ABC‘s 9-1-1: Nashville in a series-regular role. She is set to play the mother of the as-yet-uncast series lead character Ryan and wife of O’Donnell’s character Captain Don Sharpe, sources tell Deadline.

    ABC and 20th Television declined to comment on the casting.

    O’Donnell’s character is described as a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who runs Nashville’s busiest firehouse with his beloved son. Don’s a devoted husband and family man, but he has his secrets.

    The 20th Television and Ryan Murphy Television project received a straight-to-series order from the network in February. The new offshoot joins the mothership series 9-1-1 on ABC, where it moved in 2023 following its cancellation at Fox. The second series from the franchise, 9-1-1: Lone Star, was canceled after five seasons in 2023 and completed its run early this year.

    9-1-1: Nashville is written and executive produced by the franchise’s co-creators Ryan Murphy & Tim Minear and 9-1-1: Lone Star showrunner Rashad Raisani and will premiere during the 2025-26 season. The drama also will be executive produced by Brad Falchuk, co-creator of the first two 9-1-1 series with Murphy and Minear, and 9-1-1 star Angela Bassett, who executive produced Lone Star.

    Capshaw perhaps is best known for her role as Dr. Arizona Robbins in the hit medical drama ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy from Seasons 5-14. She also appeared in the Hulu original series Tell Me Lies. On the big screen, she will be seen next as part of the ensemble cast in the indie comedy Miracle on 74th Street from director Rachel Israel. Film credits also include Netflix’s Holidate, Minority Report and Dear Zoe. She is repped by CAA and Gang Tyre Ramer.

    Ellen Pompeo On Why She Hasn’t Left ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Completely: “That Would Make No Sense, Emotionally Or Financially”

    (4/14/25) Ellen Pompeo is one of three original Grey’s Anatomy cast members who have remained on the long-running series since its debut in 2005.

    In 2022 (Season 19), Pompeo took a step back from the medical drama named after her character, Meredith Grey, and in a new interview, the star explains why she hasn’t entirely left the show.

    “That would make no sense, emotionally or financially. The show was streamed more than a billion times in 2024. More than a billion times,” Pompeo told El País while promoting A Good American Family. “The companies that own the show and stream the show make a lot of money from our images and our voices and our faces.”

    She continued, “If I were to walk away completely, everybody gets to make money from my hard work for 20 years and I wouldn’t make any money. To me, it doesn’t make any sense that everybody [else] gets to profit off of my hard work. And emotionally, the show means a lot to people. I want to have an attitude of gratitude toward the show.”

    During the same interview, Pompeo also explained why she chose to act in another TV series after reducing her role in Grey’s Anatomy.

    “Well, this is a limited series, so I won’t appear as this character again. I was just looking for something that was very different from Meredith Grey, and this offer presented itself,” she said.

    Eric Dane Announces He Has Been Diagnosed with ALS

    (4/10/25) Eric Dane has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), he tells PEOPLE exclusively.

    "I have been diagnosed with ALS,” he shares. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”

    The actor, 52, is married to Rebecca Gayheart and the couple share two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

    “I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,” he tells PEOPLE. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time.”

    Dane — who stars as the Jacobs family patriarch on Euphoria — is set to begin production of season 3 of the hit HBO show on April 14.

    ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive paralysis of the muscles. Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, often followed by slurred speech. According to the Mayo Clinic, because the disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement, patients slowly lose their ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe independently.

    There's no cure for ALS, and people usually live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. However, some patients can live decades.

    In addition to Dane, other notable stars who have been diagnosed with ALS include Aaron Lazar, John Driskell Hopkins, Eric Stevens, Joe Bonsall, Roberta Flack, Kenneth Mitchell and Stephen Hawking.

    Jessica Capshaw Plans To “Keep Auditioning” For ‘The White Lotus’ After Losing Part To Leslie Bibb

    (4/10/25) Following her tenure at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Jessica Capshaw is hoping to join another iconic TV ensemble.

    The Grey’s Anatomy actress recently recounted auditioning for the part of Kate Bohr on Season 3 of The White Lotus, which ultimately went to Leslie Bibb, whose performance she praised as “fantastic.”

    “I auditioned for Leslie Bibb’s part, and I remember getting to the audition and being like — I mean, I’m just such a huge fan of the show, so I was giddy with excitement,” she told Grey’s co-star Camilla Luddington on their Call It What It Is podcast.

    “It’s always so fun to put together an audition and see where it goes, and then see it come to fruition,” added Capshaw. “Because what’s unbelievably remarkable and wild about the casting process is we’re all very different, we all have a very different take on it.”

    Although Bibb ultimately landed that part of Kate, one third of a girls trip that also features Carrie Coon and Michelle Monaghan, praising her take on the role. “Watching Leslie, I was like, ‘Oh my god.’ I was so in and I thought she was fantastic,” raved Capshaw.

    After landing the Grey’s Anatomy part of Dr. Arizona Robbins in 2009, following multiple audition attempts, Capshaw isn’t giving up on the Mike White HBO series.

    “I’ll audition, I’ll keep auditioning. That’s what I did for Grey’s,” said Capshaw. “I loved Grey’s Anatomy and I was like, ‘I’ll audition all the times!’ And I took three times, so I’m hoping it’ll just take two for Mike White and The White Lotus. I’ll just keep going.”

    Grey’s Recap: A Villain From Simone’s Past Shakes Up Her Present — Plus, Did the Truth Set Owen Free… of Teddy?

    (4/10/25) Last week, Grey’s Anatomy’s Simone was named “the one to watch.” This Thursday, Grey Sloan’s top intern was made “the one who’d better watch out,” because who should pay a visit to the hospital but the pompous ass who got her kicked out of her first residency program? Making matters worse — and yes, they could get worse — Bailey was a superfan of the guy! Read on, and we’ll discuss how Griffith fared as well as how Owen handled the truth about his night with Nora.

    BAILEY’S HERO FELL SHORT… WAY SHORT | As “Love In the Ice Age” began, Simone was chagrined to discover that the star surgeon with whom she and Bailey would be scrubbing in to save pancreatic cancer patient Gaby was Joseph Chase (guest star Craig Bierko), the former “mentor”/nemesis whose neglect of a previous Black patient she’d clocked. (Cut to: Griffith getting the chop.) In surgery, Simone’s — and, it turned out, Richard’s — impressions of the arrogant doc were proven to be well-warranted. Chase’s groundbreaking study only appeared to be groundbreaking because he threw up his hands and quit — even with a patient lying open on the table — if he wasn’t going to get a positive outcome.

    More livid than even disillusioned, Bailey told Chase, “There’s the door. Use it!” Then, she and Simone called in reinforcements — Richard and Lucas — to pull off the miracle that Gaby needed. Afterward, Webber comforted Bailey, who was intent on beating herself up for believing in Chase’s “snake oil.” There was, in fact, reason to believe — and she, not Chase, had proven it. As for Simone, she tried to confront the d-bag as he left Grey Sloan, but his ego was so huge, it deflected all criticism. He even turned around and dissed not only Griffith but Bailey. (The nerve!) Needless to say, Simone shed no tears over what might’ve been in Baltimore. “I ended up in the right place.” Amen!

    TEDDY FACED FACTS | As Teddy and Owen treated an ill-fated fella who’d fallen on an icepick, she admitted that she didn’t want an open marriage after all. Cool, her husband said. “Me, too.” But hey, “change was worth a try.” Ruh-roh. That was all that Altman needed to hear to deduce that Hunt had, ya know, tried. After the couple’s patient died, the last thing that Teddy wanted to do was discuss the fact that Owen had slept with someone else. But at the end of the episode, he assured her that it was going to be OK. Was it, though? Was it really?

    In other developments, Link and Winston realigned a patient’s leg that had been bent so far that it resembled a comma. Blue, inspired by said patient’s desire to honor his late brother, realized that it would take time to heal from the pain of losing Molly (again). And Richard agreed to plead Lucas’ case to Catherine, lest the resident have to repeat his first year. What good it would do, I couldn’t imagine; Catherine is a pretty immovable object. But we’ll see. What did you think of the episode? It zipped along, no? And I got why Teddy would be upset by the thought of Owen being with someone else, but… um… it had been her idea.

    Young Actors From ‘Cobra Kai’, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘9-1-1’ & More To Serve As Talent Ambassadors For Luskin Orthopaedic Institute For Children

    (4/5/25) Seven young actors have been named talent ambassadors for the Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children to help support its mission to provide care to children in need.

    Joining as ambassadors from Treadwell Entertainment group are Dallas Young (Cobra Kai), Cody Saintgnue (Teen Wolf), Nayah Damasen (Grey’s Anatomy, Monster High), Daire McLeod (Ghostwriter, Danger Force), Kieran Tamondong (Warrior, Monster: A Jeffrey Dahmer Story), Bella Blanding (The Loud House, 9-1-1), and Aiden Coleman (Jane the Virgin, The Mindy Project).

    As advocates for LuskinOIC, the actors will use their platforms to amplify the institute’s work. They will also engage with young patients and support fundraising initiatives to ensure every child receives care they need, regardless of their financial situation.

    In their first public appearance with LuskinOIC, five of the young ambassadors — Damasen, Blanding, Saintgnue, Coleman and Tamondong — will participate in an Easter-themed event on April 15.

    Luskin Orthopaedic Institute specializes in fractures, sports medicine, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, clubfoot, hand & microsurgery, skeletal dysplasia & dwarfism, hip disorders, rehabilitation, hemophilia, congenital limb disorders, craniofacial & cleft palate, connective tissue disorders, bone & soft tissue tumors and arthrogryposis.

    ABC Renews ‘9-1-1,’ ‘The Rookie,’ ‘Shifting Gears’ & More, But ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Is Still on the Bubble

    (4/3/25) ABC has given renewals to several of its current scripted shows … with one major exception.

    The network has given pickups to 9-1-1, Grey’s Anatomy, The Rookie, Will Trent, and Shifting Gears, the latter of which was considered to be on the bubble as of a trade report from several days ago. These renewals add to the already-announced pickups of Abbott Elementary and High Potential.

    Notably missing from the list of renewals is the freshman medical drama Doctor Odyssey, though it has not been formally canceled yet, according to Variety.

    The network also isn’t giving orders to any new series pilots aside from the 9-1-1 spinoff 9-1-1: Nashville.

    9-1-1 is currently airing its eighth season, which is its second on the network after moving from Fox. Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy is in its 21st season, Will Trent is airing its third season, The Rookie is in its seventh, and Shifting Gears just concluded its first season.

    Doctor Odyssey fans took to social media to plead for more. “Please renew Doctor Odyssey so we can have 15 seasons of Ody3,” one fan wrote, invoking the ‘ship name for the lead trio of characters. “Doctor Odyssey pleeeaseeeee pull through, I need my throuple,” another wrote.

    Reportedly, the hesitation on renewing Doctor Odyssey, which is, like 9-1-1, a part of the Ryan Murphy TV universe, is the expense of producing it. (The ratings reportedly remained relatively stable, with 5.96 million seven-day viewers for its September series premiere and 5.19 million as of March.)

    Previously, Deadline revealed that renewal for the series was uncertain and the Season 1 finale is ending in a way that could serve as a series finale, just in case.

    Meanwhile, Shifting Gears was not a lock for Season 2 after a drop in viewership following the premiere (from 7.8 million viewers in seven-day ratings for the January premiere to 5.17 million in March).

    Grey’s Recap: Teddy and Cass Are Hot to Go… to Oakland — Plus, Did Molly Regain Her Memories or Lose Her Life?

    (4/3/25) It was go time in Thursday’s Grey’s Anatomy. For Teddy, that meant heading to Oakland with Bailey to attend a medical conference — and, it turned out, getting hot and heavy with Cass. For Molly, that meant being wheeled into the ER, where Amelia attempted to not only rid Blue’s ex-fiancée of her seizures but restore the amnesiac’s memory. Was the operation a success? Read on.

    TEDDY HIT THE BRAKES, OWEN DIDN’T | As “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” began, it sure looked like Teddy and Cass were going to test out the openness of the former’s marriage. They even bolted the second Bailey’s presentation was over to tear off one another’s clothes. But when Cass tried to take them from nearly naked to nude, Teddy stopped her. “I feel like I’m cheating on my husband,” she admitted. S—t, “this is not gonna fix my marriage.”

    Meanwhile, back in Seattle, Owen ran into Nora, who’d brought into Grey Sloan a friend with (eww!) undigested food forming a visible lump in her throat. As Nora fretted over her pal, Owen comforted her and later admitted that he and Teddy were no longer exclusive. Cut to: At the end of the episode, as Teddy was texting, hoping Owen had had a nice day, he was having a very nice night making love with Nora.

    MOLLY SURVIVED, BUT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH BLUE? NOT SO MUCH | Before Molly went under the knife with Amelia and “one to watch” Simone, Dave showed up at the hospital. Not to see Molly, though, to see Blue and warn him that the woman they loved was obsessed with regaining her memories. When it hadn’t worked previously, Dave explained, she’d spiraled and finally agreed to undergo counseling. Blue’s reaction? “She picked me. Get over it.”

    In the O.R., Molly recalled being in Big Sky with a man in a red jacket… who turned out to be Dave — a post-accident memory. Though Blue had dismissed Dave utterly, his words had apparently resonated. Kwan had called Molly’s folks and found out that they hadn’t been informed the exes were back together… or told anything about this risky surgery. Was she only with him, he asked, to fill in the blanks in her mind? Molly wasn’t sure, so sadly, that was the end of their reunion.

    SIMONE CHALLENGED AMELIA | Off Blue’s plea that Simone not let Amelia push it during Molly’s surgery and take unnecessary chances, Griffith did indeed speak up, questioning how far the attending was going in hopes of jogging the patient’s memory. “Trust me,” Amelia said, “or get out of my O.R.” Afterwards, though Simone knew that she had made a misstep, Amelia remained in her corner, the portrait of an ideal mentor.

    In other developments, Jo clashed anew with baby-faced OB Dr. Marcus, accusing him of “sharking” her “surges,” as he called them, because she was pregnant. “I can advocate for myself,” she reminded him. In fact, since she is having twins, she could kinda advocate for three. And Lucas, desperate not to repeat his intern year and fall behind his classmates, approached everyone from Nick to Richard in hopes of finding a way to get Catherine to change her mind about him. In the immortal words of Chappell Roan, good luck, babe!

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Trevor Jackson Joins Cast Of ABC Medical Drama

    (4/1/25) Former grown-ish star Trevor Jackson is returning to the Disney fold, landing a sought-after new role on ABC’s venerable drama Grey’s Anatomy.

    He will make his Grey’s debut in Episode 2117, the penultimate of the season airing May 8, and will also appear in the Season 21 finale with an option to become a series regular if the medical drama is renewed for a 22nd season. As Deadline reported yesterday, that is fully expected and may happen as soon as later this week.

    On Grey’s Anatomy, Jackson will play a handsome, intelligent, but arrogant man in his late 20s who has just moved to Seattle. It is unclear whether the character is a new surgical intern/resident. That is a possibility as the show is down one of each following the departures of Mika (Midori Francis) and Levi (Jake Borelli) earlier this season, with Station 19‘s Ben returning as a resident at the start of Season 21.

    The new role was pursued by a number of young actors as the opportunity to join a long-running hit of the caliber of Grey’s Anatomy does not come along very often.

    Actor-singer Jackson starred opposite Yara Shahidi on Kenya Barris’ black-ish spinoff for Freeform grown-ish. He was the only original cast member to remain a series regular for the popular comedy’s entire six-season run. Before that, Jackson was a main cast member on another Disney series from the studio behind Grey’s Anatomy and the black-ish franchise as he starred opposite Regina King in Season 2 of John Ridley’s ABC anthology series American Crime.

    Jackson, who started his career as a child actor, playing Young Simba on the touring Broadway production of The Lion King, later starred in the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid. He is repped by Independent Artist Group, Entertainment 360 and Myman Greenspan Fox.

    ‘Dexter: Original Sin’ Renewed For Season 2 At Showtime

    (4/1/25) Dexter: Original Sin has been renewed for a second season at Paramount+ with Showtime. A Season 2 writers room is set to begin shortly, with production dates to be revealed soon.

    From creator, showrunner and executive producer Clyde Phillips, Dexter: Original Sin is the first prequel series in the expanding franchise following serial killer Dexter Morgan. Michael C. Hall, who portrayed the titular antihero in the mothership series, is the prequel’s narrator. Patrick Gibson plays Dexter in his late teens, when he was a baby slayer in training, 15 years before the events of the original Dexter series.

    The 10-episode original drama series is set in 1991 Miami and follows Dexter (Gibson), a student refining his killer skills with the help and support of his adoptive father Harry (Christian Slater). In his dad, he finds solace and understanding, especially as his bloodthirsty urges grow and can no longer be ignored.

    As his only confidant, Harry teaches Dexter a code that’s designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to die — all while avoiding getting caught by law enforcement. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.

    Season 1 also stars Molly Brown, Christina Milian, James Martinez, Alex Shimizu and Reno Wilson, with guest stars Sarah Michelle Gellar and Patrick Dempsey.

    Dexter: Original Sin premiered on December 13 with 2.1M global viewers across Paramount+ and Showtime in the first three days of availability, according to Deadline’s Katie Campione in a December 19 ratings story, noting also that Paramount+ touted the episode as Showtime‘s most-streamed series in 10 years. By the time of the show’s finale on Valentine’s Day, the finale audience grew 27% over the December premiere with a tally of 2.68M global viewers on Paramount+ with Showtime, Campione noted on February 20. It was the most-streamed episode of the season, up 30% from the premiere’s streaming audience.

    Phillips, who was showrunner on the first four seasons of Dexter, is in production on Dexter: Resurrection, a continuation of the limited series Dexter: New Blood, set to premiere this summer. The Dexter-verse is now one step closer to adding a second prequel spinoff to the franchise, the long-spoken-about Trinity Killer limited series with John Lithgow, who originally played the madman, potentially returning to narrate.

    Dexter: Original Sin is executive produced by Phillips, who also served as showrunner for the debut season, and produced by Showtime Studios and Counterpart Studios. Executive producers for the first season also included Scott Reynolds, Hall, Mary Leah Sutton, Tony Hernandez and Lilly Burns, with the series produced by Robert Lloyd Lewis. Michael Lehmann served as directing executive producer.

    Katherine Heigl Worries Her Kids Will “Make Fun” Of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Ghost Sex Scene

    (3/28/25) With two decades of wild, emotionally-charged television to pull from, Grey’s Anatomy has given fans plenty of unbelievable moments.

    After 20 years, Katherine Heigl recently admitted she can’t watch the ABC medical procedural with her kids, crediting her ghostly sex scene with co-star Jeffrey Dean Morgan in the Season 5 episode ‘In the Midnight Hour’ (2005) as one that makes her “so embarrassed.”

    “We have not watched Grey’s. Partly because I was like, ‘How do I explain that?'” she told Entertainment Weekly of the scene. “But I’m like, “‘ou can watch it, but I don’t want to sit next to you. I will be so embarrassed.’ I don’t know how to explain this. And she will make me embarrassed. She will make fun of me. No, it’s better not to give her that ammunition. Do you know what I’m saying?”

    In Season 2 of the Shonda Rhimes series, Heigl’s Izzie Stevens falls in love with Denny Duquette (Morgan) while treating him for heart failure. Although Denny tragically dies in the sophomore season, he makes multiple returns from beyond the grave to visit Izzie.

    Morgan said he doesn’t “remember much of” his character’s posthumous return in Season 5, because “I don’t know that anybody thought that was working when we were doing it.”

    Heigl saw the arc as wish fulfillment “for Izzie and Denny to finally basically get to be together and have an actual relationship,” but filming “it was awkward — not the scenes, but the concept.”

    “She could never acknowledge me,” recalled Morgan. “And I remember I was yelling at her while everybody else was giving her doctor information. And it was throwing everybody off.”

    Heigl added, “Yeah. It was confusing for everyone. There’s one particular scene that I will not watch with my children ever. I don’t care how old they are. I don’t care if they’re 60, I’m not watching this with them. And it was a scene where you’re in the room, but I’m trying to be like, ‘You are not here, you’re not here.’ And Alex [Justin Chambers] and Izzie start messing around and he goes down on her. And you’re just standing there. And I was just sort of at the time like, ‘This is what the money’s for, right?'”

    Thursday marked the 20th anniversary of Grey’s Anatomy, which is currently in its 21st season on ABC.

    Shonda Rhimes On The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ & ‘Scandal’ Spinoffs That Never Materialized: “We Thought About A Lot Of Things”

    (3/27/25) Shonda Rhimes has produced some of the most successful television series, like Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton.

    Grey’s Anatomy yielded two spinoffs with 2007’s Private Practice and 2018’s Station 19, which were equally successful. Rhimes’ most recent spinoff was Queen Charlotte, a prequel to Netflix’s Bridgerton.

    In a new interview, Rhimes explained what she looks for in creating a spinoff and revealed some ideas that never materialized.

    “On Grey’s, there were a bunch,” Rhimes told Entertainment Weekly. “I felt like we could have done Chicago Anatomy, Boston. We could have done that. It just didn’t appeal to me to rebuild the same world. And then we thought about a lot of things.”

    Rhimes noted that she thought there was an idea with Caterina Scorsone’s character Amelia, Derek’s (Patrick Dempsey) sister on Grey’s Anatomy.

    “I thought that there could be a spinoff with Amelia that was the Shepherd sisters,” she said. “They’re all doctors. It could have been a Shepherd sisters show, which would’ve been very interesting.”

    The Shepherd sisters have all made guest appearances on the show but have never appeared together.

    Rhimes also said there was a spinoff idea with Joe Morton’s Rowan Pope from Scandal.

    “There was a bunch,” Rhimes added on spinoff possibilities. “But we really tried to look for shows that could stand on their own two feet, that were their own thing. If you spin off a character, what people want is more of the same. They’re like, ‘Oh, I’m going to get another show where Addison’s [Kate Walsh] the mistress.’ Instinctively, you want more of the same because that really worked. And to build a new world is incredibly difficult.”

    Grey’s Recap: A Blast From the Past Blows Up Mer’s Future — Plus, Wait, Wait… Jules Slept With Whom?!?

    (3/27/25) Grey’s Anatomy’s Meredith and Amelia were all ready to break out in a chorus of “We’re in the Money” in Thursday’s episode when it turned out that their pitch to obtain a megabucks Blaisdale Grant to fund their Alzheimer’s research had already basically been made. By… by whom? None other than Greg Germann’s Koracick, back like the proverbial bad penny. Keep reading, and we’ll go over not only how that twist turned out but whether Teddy and Owen stuck a fork in their marriage and the odd collision of Jules and Monica’s love lives.

    JO AND LINK MADE WEDDING PLANS | As “Ridin’ Solo” began, Jo shot down the idea of lavish nuptials for her and Link. “If [your ceremony] doesn’t kill your priest,” Teddy cracked, “you’re one up on me and Owen.” Jo replied, quite frankly, “Well, you guys don’t set the bar very high.” And for the rest of the hour, Altman and Hunt reinforced that opinion, bickering over therapy and ultimately deciding to invite others into their relationship. The nitty-gritty of it all? The couple would exchange no details about their hookups, play safe, check in regularly and, most importantly, “Our marriage comes first. No serious relationships or feelings.” Am I the only one who’s surprised that we have to wait until next week for them to break the rules that they just set?

    JULES HAD SEX WITH MONICA’S EX | To Jules’ horror, her one-night stand from the evening before showed up at Grey Sloan: Turned out, Adriana was a patient advocate for young Carlos — and Beltran’s former spouse. Monica wasn’t fazed (much) until Millin punctured Carlos’ heart during surgery. After the kid was saved, Beltran scolded the resident, reminding her not to bring her personal life into the ER — or her attending’s. Later, Jules told Simone that she was swearing off sex to focus on work and asked Winston to be her mentor. Which had been Monica’s advice, she jokingly pointed out to her former lover.

    SIMONE PERFORMED HER FIRST SOLO SURGERY | As a patient named Melissa struggled to recover from gallstones, Simone became curious about her post-menopause allergies. Good call: Melissa was revealed to have a neuroendocrine tumor. Since Griffith had diagnosed it, Bailey let her remove the tumor — her first-ever solo flight. Nearby, a mom-to-be who was two weeks overdue tried to induce labor by having sex with her husband in her room. Didn’t go well. They were interrupted, and the husband, for lack of a better term, broke his ass. But the upshot of the comedy was that Jo wound up not caring how she and Link tied the knot, she just wanted to “I do” it with him.

    KORACICK STOLE MEREDITH’S GRANT | Mer and Amelia thought it was bad enough that Tom had presented a grant proposal similar to theirs. But to make matters worse, he’d offered up one that was several steps more advanced (thanks to their published research). Though he already had Fox money behind him, he snarked that “research funding’s like sex to me — you can never have enough.” Off Nick’s suggestion that his partner play up her passion, Mer did just that — and called Koracick on his exclusion of female mice from his studies. But it was to no avail; Tom won the jackpot. Where did that leave Mer? She’d bankroll her own research. “How do I become an investor?” Nick asked. “If I’m gonna bet on anybody, it’s you.”

    BLUE LOST MOLLY | The hour started off with Blue laying out a menu of meaningful meals that he and Molly had enjoyed before their breakup and her amnesia. But it ended with… oh, crap. Blue came home at the close of the day more supportive of his lost love’s experimental surgery than he’d ever been, but waiting for him wasn’t just Molly, it was… Dave. It appeared that she’d gotten back together with the fiancé that she’d dumped to find out what might have been with the would-be husband that she’d forgotten.

    Grey’s Anatomy Cranks Up the Sexual Tension Between Teddy and Cass

    (3/20/25) Thursday’s episode of Grey’s Anatomy might have been titled “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” — and thanks for getting U2 stuck in our heads! — but it sure looked like Teddy had happened upon something for which she didn’t even realize that she’d been searching: Cass. The chemistry between the doctors, only one of whose marriages is the open sort, was off the charts. Did they decide that their one impromptu kiss wasn’t enough? Read on…

    TWO COUPLES CLASHED | As the episode began, Richard sided with Meredith that the transplant committee needed to be informed that Evynn’s wife Tasha had Alzheimer’s. Nick, on the other hand, was all for proceeding with the surgery. “At least one of you is fighting for your patient,” Evynn cracked. Once Mer was alone with her significant other, she floated the idea that when Nick looked at Tasha, he saw a possible future version of her. But was that really the case? TBD.

    At the same time, Bailey and Ben treated a librarian named Lisa who also needed a liver transplant. Though Miranda warned her husband to follow her instructions to the letter — his evaluations as an intern weren’t looking too hot — he couldn’t help himself. He even went so far as to offer to answer any questions that the transplant committee had about who should get the liver. “If I can help someone, I’m gonna do it,” Ben told his missus afterwards, “and hope my boss can see that.”

    TWO RELATIONSHIPS WERE TESTED | After Molly suffered a grand mal seizure, Blue conspired with Lucas to get Amelia to consult on her case. When the neuro goddess realized what the residents were up to, all she did was scold them about the proper way to sneak patients into her department. (Go, Amelia! Go!) Ultimately, she recommended surgery, which was of no interest to Molly… until the amnesiac read about experimental add-ons that might restore her memory.

    While Nora kept texting Owen, Cass showed up at Grey Sloan for her husband’s colonoscopy or “harsh lighting and free coffee” or… something more? Sparks flew between her and Teddy. But when Altman invited Cass to a spa day to thank her for making her hospital-endowment slideshow, Beckman turned her down. “I’m trying to respect your boundaries,” she said. “When you figure it out, you let me know.” At EOD, both Owen and Teddy confessed that they’d been tempted and were unsure where they went from there.

    … AND THAT WAS THAT | After hearing from Simone about her grandma who has Alzheimer’s, Nick had a stroke of genius: They could give Tasha two-thirds of the available liver and Lisa the rest, thus saving them both. “What the hell are we waiting for?” cried Bailey. “Let’s go give everybody livers.” Before the gang clocked out for the day, Richard forgave Meredith for keeping Catherine’s condition from him. He finally recognized that Grey had done the best that she could under the circumstances.

    Back in his and Mer’s hotel room, Nick wanted to make something clear to his partner. He hadn’t seen her in Tasha, “I saw myself in Evynn. You just gotta know that if I were in her position, I wouldn’t stop fighting for you.” Neither would Mer stop fighting for Nick, she said. OMG, “I think we just agreed on something.” That’s gotta be a first for these two, no?

    Ellen Pompeo: ‘Uncomfortable and Awkward’ Grey’s Sex Scene Had to Be Reshot Due to ‘Too Much Thrusting’

    (3/19/25) Grey’s Anatomy has a knack for making pulses race with its hookups. But behind the scenes, the long-running ABC drama has also occasionally turned stomachs. Case in point: the Season 2 “moment” between Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith and T.R. Knight’s George.

    “This is crazy. T.R. and I are such good friends, and we had to do a love scene,” Pompeo said in a recent episode of SiriusXM’s Call Her Daddy. “We were both crying… And the scene was so uncomfortable and awkward, and he didn’t wanna do that. I didn’t wanna do it. And when we filmed it, it was so bad. And then the network said there was too much thrusting.

    “In your worst nightmare, [you] have to do it one time,” she continued. But “we had to reshoot that s—t… and do it twice.”

    Needless to say, Pompeo did not tune in the Thursday Sunday that the episode aired. “I’ve never watched that scene,” she said. “I don’t know how it was shot or covered or… edited, but I’m full-on in tears, the whole entire scene. And those are real tears.”

    Back in the day, the actress was opposed to a number of things that were scripted for Meredith, not all of which turned out to be quite so horrific. “I didn’t wanna say [to Derek], ‘Pick me, choose me, love me,’” she admitted. Luckily, series creator Shonda Rhimes “knew that was gonna pop. I was like, ‘Why would I beg?’ And you know, you have to just suck it up and do it.

    “And it ended up being [one of] the most iconic things ever,” she added. “So I’m not always the best judge of what’s gonna [work].”

    Watch the full interview here: Video.

    Ellen Pompeo On Pay Parity Battle To Match ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Co-Star Patrick Dempsey: “Only A Man Can Have 13 Failed TV Pilots & Their Quote Keeps Going Up”

    (3/19/25) Ellen Pompeo fought for pay parity on Grey’s Anatomy to match her co-star Patrick Dempsey‘s salary.

    While appearing on Call Her Daddy, Pompeo acknowledges that when the drama series started, Dempsey was more well-known than her, but her character’s name was on the show.

    “To be completely fair, the television game was so different then. He had done 13 pilots before me,” Pompeo said. “Nothing personal to him, just in general, only a man can have 13 failed TV pilots and their quote keeps going up, right? But in all fairness, his quote was what it was.”

    She continued, “He was a bigger star than I was at that point. No one knew who I was. Everybody knew who he was, so he did deserve that money. I’m not saying he didn’t deserve that money. It’s just, being that I was the namesake of the show, I deserved the same and that was harder to get.”

    In 2018, Pompeo became the highest-paid actress in a drama series, making $20M a season.

    “I wasn’t salty about him getting what he got. I was salty that they didn’t value me as much as they valued him, and they never will,” she added.

    Pompeo noted that her fight for pay parity came when she reached a certain point in her career where she felt like this battle was for herself and all the other women coming up behind her.

    “I see exactly how much Grey’s Anatomy makes for ABC/Disney. I get to see the number. It’s my face, it’s my voice,” she said. “I’ve done so much work promoting the show all over the world for the past 20 years. I am the Disney princess of that franchise.”

    Watch the full interview here: Video.

    Grey’s Couple Is Heading for a Wedding! Plus, a Stunning Betrayal Is Revealed

    (3/13/25) Probably the last thing that Grey’s Anatomy’s Link or we expected when he treated a woman injured at her divorce party was that he’d be inspired to pop the question to Jo. But that was exactly what happened in Thursday’s “Jump (For My Love).”

    By the end of the episode, Link realized that his heart had fully mended after it was broken by Amelia — and that Jo’s advice way back when had helped him reach that point. In response, he raced home and blurted out, “You are my best friend. Marry me.”

    Link knew, of course, that it would take more than the two of them loving each other and their family to make a marriage work. But even an eternity after he and his significant other first connected at Jimmy’s Crab Shack, “it’s still us. You’re my soulmate. And years from now, we’ll tell our kids that the secret of our marriage was that we were best friends.”

    Jo was so happy that she didn’t even need for Link to get down on bended knee to make it official. She was surprised that he presented her with a ring box without a ring in it, though. “Based on my experience,” he joked, “it’s probably better if you picked your own.” True that. Elsewhere in the episode…

    CATHERINE WAS BETRAYED | Catherine managed strong-arm a still-sulking Richard into working with Meredith and Nick on a liver transplant for Professor Tasha Lawson (guest star Andrea Bordeaux), the wife of former colleague Dr. Evynn Moore (guest star Lena Waithe). But before an incision was made, the surgeons discovered that two years ago, Tasha had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Evynn had withheld that key intel from even her onetime mentor Catherine, thereby putting her at risk of being charged with medical fraud and falsifying records. To be continued next week…

    SIMONE AND JULES MADE UP | Bailey’s retreat for the residents was a bust but did bring to light just how upset Jules was over Mika’s exit. “What’s the point in team bonding,” Millin asked, “if we don’t have a team?” By the time the end credits rolled, she’d shown up at the residents’ house with a bottle of wine. As far as Simone was concerned, that was way better than an out-and-out apology for Jules letting her friend take the fall for the mistake that landed a patient on the floor last week.

    WINSTON ASKED SKYE OUT | Finally, after spending the day with Ben saving a motorcycle-crash victim at roadside, Winston rethought his opinion that going out with someone once was “kinda my max” at present and asked out Jackie’s mom. For her part, Skye admitted that she’d gotten used to seeing him every day at the hospital and would have said yes a few months ago. But “Jackie knows you now,” she noted, “and that just creates a set of expectations I’m not sure you’re ready for.” Dang it!

    The $100,000 Pyramid: Tiffany Haddish vs Michael Urie and Chandra Wilson vs Rob Riggle (3/16)

    (3/11/25) SUNDAY, MARCH 16 - 10:01-11:00 p.m. EDT – The $100,000 Pyramid: “Tiffany Haddish vs Michael Urie and Chandra Wilson vs Rob Riggle” (802)

    Logline: It’s a night of laughs in an all-new episode of “The $100,000 Pyramid,” where actress-comedian Tiffany Haddish battles actor Michael Urie, followed by “Grey’s Anatomy” star Chandra Wilson and actor-comedian Rob Riggle.

    ‘Mistletoe Murders’ Renewed For Season 2 By Hallmark Media

    (3/10/25) Mistletoe Murders is returning for a second season on Hallmark+.

    The “holiday whodunnit” stars Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy) as Emily Lane, a small-town shop owner with a secret past. The series from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions also features Peter Mooney (Rookie Blue) as local detective Sam Wilner and Sierra Marilyn Riley as his teenaged daughter Violet, who works at Emily’s store.

    The rest of the cast includes Jean Yoon (Kim’s Convenience), Lara Amersey (Operation Nutcracker) and Good Witch alum Kylee Evans (Good Witch). Shooting will begin later this year for a 2025 holiday season premiere.

    “We had searched for the right series to blend Christmas with mysteries — two genres our viewers love — and Mistletoe Murders cracked that case to perfection. The enthusiastic audience reaction made the decision to renew the series an easy one,” said Samantha DiPippo, Senior Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media. “After the jaw-dropping season finale that left fans asking, Who is Emily Lane?, we look forward to another riveting holiday in Fletcher’s Grove filled with mystery, romance and of course, Christmas.”

    “We’re thrilled that Mistletoe Murders is returning for a second season,” continued Jocelyn Hamilton, President, Television, Lionsgate Canada. “Hallmark has been an incredible partner in bringing this series to life, and it’s been such a joy collaborating with the talented team at Headspinner Productions. This renewal is a true testament to the exceptional storytelling and talent that have made the show resonate so deeply with audiences.”

    Mistletoe Murders follows Emily, the optimistic shop owner of a year-round Christmas-themed store, Under the Mistletoe. Residing in the tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, Emily finds herself compelled to investigate local murders. When Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Sam Wilner (Mooney) begins to wonder if there’s more to Emily than meets the eye.

    The series is exec produced by Drew, showrunner Ken Cuperus (Hudson & Rex), Michelle Melanson (The Next Step), and Jocelyn Hamilton (Burden of Truth). Melanie Orr and James Genn direct.

    The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions, with Lionsgate Television managing international distribution. Mistletoe Murders is adapted from the eponymous Audible Original series starring Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack and a full ensemble cast. Three seasons are currently available on Audible.

    Grey’s Anatomy’s Midseason Premiere Reveals Jo and Lucas’ Fates — and Whether Owen Cheats on Teddy

    (3/6/25) Returning Thursday with the back half of its 21st season, Grey’s Anatomy picked up right where its midseason finale left off — with the aftermath of the convenience-store shooting that put Lucas and a pregnant Jo in harm’s way. And while we were pretty sure that Amelia’s nephew was going to pull through, especially right after Mika and Levi’s exits, we were seriously worried about Jo and Link’s twins. Were we right to be concerned? Read on…

    As “Hit the Floor” began, Bailey informed Richard that Mika had quit the residency program and asked him to keep an eye on Jules, whose reaction to the loss left her snapping at Blue that it was nothing. “I didn’t come here to make lifelong friends, did you?” If only a bad mood was the worst of the side effects of Mika’s exit on Jules. She was so distracted while treating Damian, the convenience-store robber, that she neglected to strap him to the operating table, an oopsie that sent the patient plummeting to the floor when the surface was tilted during surgery. Worse — well, not for Damian, but worse — Jules let Simone get blasted by Teddy for her mistake.

    Blue and Molly’s New Beginning

    Since Seattle was having a scorcher of a heatwave and the hospital was swamped, Blue sent Molly back to his place to hang out until he got off work. Once he did, he shared with his amnesiac ex-fiancée that he’d never stopped loving her and pleaded with her to give them a chance. Go back to California and turn down Dave’s proposal, he said, “and when you come back, I am never losing you again.” (Could Harry Shum Jr. have been any more swoon-worthy?)

    Amelia and Winston’s Miraculous Team-Up

    Though Amelia and Winston stabilized Jackie, the would-be basketball star woke up with no feeling in her legs. Mom Skye was reluctant to trust Amelia again but, having no choice, did — a gamble that paid off when a drain of the fluid pressing on the teen’s spine restored the feeling in her extremities. Afterward, Winston warned Amelia that he wouldn’t be roped into another “reckless” surgery.

    Lucas and Simone’s Aftershocks

    Upon learning what Lucas had been through, Simone had an understandably big reaction. But Adams was ready to get right back to work, this despite the fact that Ben told him he needed to be cleared by psych after the trauma. As if to show Lucas why that rule exists, the sound of a dropped tray clattering triggered a panic attack. He was fine by EOD, though, and so busy kissing Simone that Jules couldn’t apologize to Griffith for not copping to her earlier mistake.

    Jo and Link’s Tense Moment

    Once Jo made it to OB, baby-faced Dr. Marcus suggested that stress had caused her bleeding and recommended a cervical cerclage to ensure the mom-to-be and twins’ safety. Link balked, asking, “Shouldn’t we wait for someone born before TikTok?” But as a pregnant OB, Jo knew exactly what she wanted. Later, after a talking-to from Bailey, Link adjusted his attitude and apologized to Jo, who admitted she wasn’t used to having a partner to lean on and consult with.

    Owen’s Near-Miss Kiss

    After Nora suffered abdominal pain en route to her hotel, Owen rushed her back to Grey Sloan, where she’d be stuck for a while. She wasn’t mad at it, mind you. Her readmittance not only allowed her to divulge that she’d had a huge crush on Owen back in the day, it let her try to initiate a kiss. Hunt’s reaction? He copped to the attraction being mutual and asked Teddy to look after Nora — without mentioning the his-and-hers confessions or the near-kiss.

    Ben’s Rude Awakening

    After Teddy discovered that Ben hadn’t closed Grey Sloan to incoming trauma cases as he was supposed to — a fireable offense, she noted — he realized that the hospital didn’t have emergency plans for a lot more than a heatwave. Maybe he could form a committee to remedy that problem, he suggested. In turn, the chief reminded him that he was a resident, not guaranteed a job after completing the program and shouldn’t devise protocols when he can’t follow ’em!

    ‘The Way Home’ Renewed For Fourth Season By Hallmark

    (3/6/25) The Way Home is coming back for a fourth season.

    The Hallmark drama starring Andie MacDowell, Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams and Sadie Laflamme-Snow will conclude its third season Friday. All three seasons of the series are available to stream on Hallmark+.

    The fourth season will debut sometime in 2026.

    “Our talented writing staff led by the mother-daughter showrunning team of Heather Conkie and Alexandra Clarke continues to amaze us as they raise the bar each season,” said Samantha DiPippo, SVP Programming at Hallmark Media. “Their carefully crafted storytelling filled with family drama, romance and an absorbing mystery has enthralled the show’s passionate fanbase and has made The Way Home appointment television.”

    Last year, Hallmark found itself in the crosshairs of fans after it announced the popular series was going to migrate from the linear cable network to Hallmark+ for its upcoming third season. The company clearly wanted to use one of its flagship titles to boost subscriptions for its new streaming platform. But fans were not impressed, expressing frustration that the switch would require them to pay extra in order to continue to watch the show.

    Hallmark reversed its decision a few weeks later.

    The Way Home is a Neshama Entertainment production in association with MarVista Entertainment. Executive producers are Conkie, Clarke, Fernando Szew, Hannah Pillemer, Larry Grimaldi, Ani Kevork, Arnie Zipursky, Marly Reed, Suzanne L. Berger, MacDowell and Leigh. The series is produced by John Calvert. Mitch Geddes and Jessica Runk serve as consulting producers. Michael Hanley is executive story editor.

    Katherine Heigl Sues Dog Rescue for Trashing Her, Claiming She Abandoned Pups

    (3/5/25) Katherine Heigl says her efforts to save animals from death row are being sabotaged by a rogue rescue group that's spreading a whole lot of dog s*** about her foundation ... TMZ has learned.

    Katherine and her mom, Nancy, run the Jason Heigl Foundation -- named after Katherine's late brother -- which supports animal rescue efforts, particularly saving animals from kill shelters. Awesome work, for sure.

    Now, according to a new lawsuit, the Heigls' org signed a deal to support The Pitty Committee, which is a Santa Monica-based dog rescue. The deal was Katherine's foundation would give TPC $5,000 per month to rescue a minimum number of pups of Katherine and Nancy's choosing.

    According to docs, obtained by TMZ, the Heigls discovered TPC was allegedly mismanaging their donations, and when they started asking questions about where the money was going ... the dog rescue got a little squirrely.

    When their year-long contract ended in December 2023, Heigl decided not to renew and simply moved on. However, Katherine says a year later, TPC exec Alyssa Deetman jumped on social media and claimed the Heigls owed TPC hundreds of thousands of dollars.

    Katherine says the post also accused her of putting dogs in small cages, and even being responsible for the deaths of 2 puppies.

    In the suit, the Heigl says Deetman sang a much different tune when she wanted to renew the deal and get more money. They say she emailed Nancy ... "I will sing your praises always ... I am so proud of the work [the foundation] does. I respect you, and I respect [Katherine] and I know the work you guys do."

    And, that's the point here ... the rescue work Katherine and her mom do. They are suing TPC and Deetman for defamation, claiming those nasty and false comments have hurt their reputation and ability to continue working in the animal rescue world.

    Lena Waithe Joins ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ As Doctor With Ties To Catherine Fox

    (2/25/25) (Pic1, Pic2) In a rare acting gig on a show she has not created or executive produced, Emmy winner Lena Waithe is set for a guest arc on ABC’s venerable medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. She will play Dr. Evynn Moore, a brilliant and savvy former student of Catherine Fox’s (Debbie Allen) who visits Grey Sloan to help her on a unique case which happens to be for her wife, played by Andrea Bordeaux. You can see first-look images of Evynn at Grey Sloan above.

    Currently booked for two episodes, Waithe will first appear in Episode 2110, “Jump (for My Love),” which premieres March 13. In it, Meredith and Nick return to Grey Sloan to treat a liver transplant patient. Meanwhile, Bailey hosts an intern retreat at her home and Winston and Ben aid an unexpected crash victim.

    After a winter hiatus, Grey’s Anatomy‘s current 21st season returns with originals March 6.

    Waithe, a writer, producer, actor, and founder of the Hillman Grad production company, is known for her work on Netflix’s Master of None, which earned her a writing Emmy; Showtime’s long-running drama The Chi, which she created, and the movie Queen & Slim, which she wrote. Waithe’s recent producing credits include the Emmy-nominated documentary Being Mary Tyler Moore, the 2023 Sundance films A Thousand and One and Kokomo City, as well the Tony-nominated play, Ain’t No Mo’. In November, Waithe launched her podcast series, Legacy Talk. She is repped by WME and Blue Marble Management.

    ‘Good American Family’ Trailer Drops For Ellen Pompeo Drama That’s “Inspired By Multiple Stories, Perspectives, Threats & Accusations”

    (2/19/25) (Video) Hulu has dropped the first trailer for Good American Family, the eight-episode series starring and executive produced by Ellen Pompeo.

    Previously dubbed Orphan, the series is inspired by the true story of Natalia Grace and the Midwestern couple who adopted her believing she was a little girl with dwarfism but gradually started to believe she may not be who she said she was.

    The series premieres March 19 with two episodes, followed by one episode weekly. It also stars Mark Duplass and Imogen Reid. Dulé Hill, Christina Hendricks, Sarayu Blue and Jenny O’Hara are recurring guest stars.

    Here’s the official logline for the series from Katie Robbins: “Told from multiple points of view, as a means to explore issues of perspective, bias, and trauma, this compelling drama is inspired by the disturbing stories surrounding a Midwestern couple who adopts a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believe is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.”

    Robbins serves as creator and executive producer and ran the show with Executive Producer Sarah Sutherland. Ellen Pompeo executive produces through her production banner Calamity Jane with Laura Holstein. Andrew Stearn, Dan Spilo, Niles Kirchner and Mike Epps also executive produce. Liz Garbus directed and executive produced the pilot. The limited series is produced by 20th Television.

    ‘Wild Cards’ Lands Global Deals

    (2/18/25) Canadian procedural Wild Cards has landed a raft of deals following its renewal in Canada at pubcaster CBC. The series, which stars Vanessa Morgan (Riverdale) and Giacomo Gianniotti (Grey’s Anatomy) as an unlikely ex-con and sardonic cop duo who team to solve crimes. Distributor Fifth Season has shopped a Season 1 and 2 package of the show, which is on The CW in the U.S., to Talpa TV (Netherlands), Star Life (Portugal), Mediaset España (Spain), TV Joj? (Slovakia), Warner TV (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Africa), NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-to-Consumer (Africa), Now TV (Hong Kong), Wowow (Japan), Mediacorp TV (Singapore), Nine Network (Australia), Warner Bros. Discovery (New Zealand), and Yes and Hot (Israel). Season 1, which launched last year as CBC’s highest-rating new series in total audience terms, has gone to Play Media (Belgium), ProSiebenSat.1 (Germany), Disney in Bulgaria and the Middle East, and Quebecor Content (French-speaking Canada). The show is from Fifth Season affiliate Blink49 Studios, Front Street Pictures and Piller/Segan and was created by Michael Konyves. The deals comes ahead of next week’s London TV Screenings, with international executives already beginning to jet into a chilly UK capital to take meetings with production partners and distributors.

    Shonda Rhimes Resigns From Kennedy Center After Donald Trump’s Takeover Of Performing Arts Institution

    (2/12/25) Shonda Rhimes, who had been treasurer of the Kennedy Center, has resigned from the board following Donald Trump’s takeover of the arts institution.

    “Please be advised that as of today, Shonda Rhimes has resigned from the board of the Kennedy Center,” a spokesperson for the writer-producer said.

    Rhimes had been appointed to the board by President Barack Obama and was serving as one of the officers.

    Earlier today, Ben Folds announced that he was resigning as artistic adviser of the National Symphony Orchestra. A couple hours later, Renée Fleming said that she was exiting as artistic adviser at large.

    Trump ousted board members appointed by Joe Biden to the Kennedy Center board, which has a long tradition of bipartisan representation. That left only Trump loyalists on the board, and they voted today to make Trump the chairman. His special envoy, Ric Grenell, is serving as interim president, ousting Deborah Rutter. Before the Trump purge, she had already announced last month that she was planning to step down as president at the end of this year, after more than a decade in that role.

    Rhimes’ exit is not a surprise. She backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Trump also is waging a war on diversity, equity and inclusion, something that she has embraced in some of her best known projects, including the hit Netflix series Bridgerton.

    The exits of Folds and Rhimes raise questions as to the future of the Kennedy Center Honors, which is one of the premiere entertainment events in D.C.. In Trump’s first year in office in 2017, a number of honorees said that they would boycott a traditional pre-reception at the White House. Trump then declined to attend any of the ceremonies in his four years in office. Now, that process will be in control of Trump and his allies, as the executive committee of the board picks the honorees.

    'Ally McBeal' Actor Greg Germann Files for Divorce After 12 Years of Marriage

    (2/11/25) Greg Germann, best known for "Ally McBeal," has filed for divorce after 12 years of marriage, TMZ has learned.

    According to legal docs obtained by TMZ, the actor filed for divorce from his wife Martha Champlin Tuesday, citing their date of separation as March 3, 2024.

    Germann cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for their split, and is asking the court to nix any spousal support payments to her.

    Germann wants to split their shared home 50/50, but he also says everything else they own is separate property that will be retained in full by one of the two of them.

    The now-exes got married in 2013 and don’t have any kids together.

    Greg’s best known for playing Richard Fish on "Ally McBeal" and has also appeared in "Ned & Stacey," "Grey’s Anatomy," and more.

    Shondaland’s Betsy Beers On ‘Bridgerton’ Season 4, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘The Residence’, Shooting In LA & Expanding Into Non-Fiction

    (2/6/25) Shondaland, the company behind hits such as Grey’s Anatomy, Bridgerton and upcoming murder mystery The Residence, is turning 20 this year.

    Shonda Rhimes and her production partner Betsy Beers have been responsible for hundreds of hours of scripted television in that time.

    At a Deadline-moderated panel session at NATPE in Miami, Beers talked about the past, present and future of Shondaland as it readies its latest show – The Residence starring Uzo Aduba. She also talked about the fourth season of Bridgerton, the future of Grey’s Anatomy and hopes to expand the company’s non-fiction slate.

    Beers, who is being feted at NATPE as a “Shift Disturber” didn’t give too much away about season four of its steamy rom-com, which recently started production. “It’s about Benedict Bridgerton,” she joked when asked to tease the upcoming season, which will focus on Luke Thompson’s character and his love interest Sophie Baek, played by Yerin Ha.

    “Every season is its own story. Every season has got Bridgerton tones but they’re all different. What is wonderful about this is it’s an entirely different set of obstacles than we’ve seen before and everybody in the Bridgerton family right now is in there. They’re all in different stages,” she added.

    Season one launched in 2020, season two dropped in 2022 and the third season premiered last spring. It’s not clear when season four will drop but 2026 is a pretty good guess.

    Grey’s Anatomy, which is ABC’s longest running primetime show, is currently in its 21st season, which is expected to feature 18 episodes. This season has seen the return of Jason George and Kali Rocha, the introduction of Sophia Bush and the departure of Jake Borelli.

    A move to Thursday nights at 10pm had some fans worrying that the show may be winding down. But Beers is confident that it can continue on for some time, buoyed by the fact that it was the second most popular streaming show of 2025, per Luminate, after Bluey.

    “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,” she said.

    “As long as people want to watch it, we’re excited about making it,” she added.

    Grey’s was responsible for two spinoffs – Private Practice, which ended in 2013, and Station 19, which concluded in May 2024. Beers, like Rhimes, admitted that she misses Private Practice.

    She said that she “sometimes” thinks of rebooting such shows. “The way I feel about it is you always try to do something new, and you have something new to bring to it, then it’s a way of looking at it. But one of our rules or mantras, is we only want to do things that we want to watch, and we want to expand and explore into worlds that we have not worked before,” she added.

    Premiering on Netflix on March 20 is Shondaland’s next show – The Residence – which stars Aduba as detective Cordelia Cupp, who is investigating a murder in the White House. It was created by Paul Williams Davies.

    “It is incredibly unique. It is an amazing ensemble of talent, it’s just incredibly funny, and it’s incredibly novel, in terms of the storytelling,” she said.

    It marks a move into the comedy world, which is something Beers has long wanted to do more of with Rhimes, who wrote The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. “I started as a pretty bad comic actress, so it’s great to be actually able to participate and work on something which is this funny,” she added.

    The show was shot in LA, which is rarer these days, with the team building a replica of The White House on sound stages. Beers called this a “terrific” opportunity. It comes as the Stay in LA campaign gathers pace.

    “Grey’s Anatomy shoots in Los Angeles, so many things we have filmed have been shot in LA and we’re all very supportive of the idea of making sure that there’s work for the folks. LA has got so much to offer,” she said.

    Beers acknowledged that it’s been a tough few years for the television business with Covid, the strikes and the wildfires. “There’s obviously been a contraction, which we all know. Things are definitely getting smaller. But I have a lot of faith in talent and a lot of faith in the work that people do and the resilience of artists. During periods like this, people are very inventive and creative about figuring out ways of telling stories. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I believe that great shows and great movies and great projects are going to continue to be made… [even if] the way they’re going to be made is going to have to evolve,” she added.

    Shondaland has moved into the documentary space over the last few years with Dance Dreams in 2020 and Black Barbie last year.

    Beers wants to do more in the unscripted world. “It’s something that we haven’t done a lot of, and I think we’re really excited about getting involved in it. There are a couple of things that we’re talking about doing right now. I’m a big unscripted documentary person, a gigantic HGTV fan. I also love any show that involves real estate and I love relaxing with unscripted,” she said.

    “We’ll do everything from soup to nuts because we’re all interested in a lot. I can’t be more specific because honestly we’ll do anything we feel like is the Shondaland brand, which means that it’s something we haven’t done before, that’s something that we want to watch, that’s inclusive, that there’s an aspect to it that is somewhat aspirational and is hopefully addictive in the best way,” she added.

    Ellen Pompeo’s Adoption Mystery Good American Family Gets Release Date at Hulu

    (1/27/25) (Pic1, Pic2, Pic3, Pic4, Pic5, Pic6, Pic7, Pic8, Pic9) Get ready for some major Orphan vibes in this new Hulu series.

    The streamer announced on Monday that its drama series Good American Family, starring Grey’s Anatomy‘s Ellen Pompeo, will premiere with its first two episodes on Wednesday, March 19. One new episode will then roll out weekly.

    Pompeo and Mark Duplass (The Morning Show) star as a married couple who, after adopting a girl with a rare form of dwarfism (played by Imogen Reid), find themselves in the midst of a mystery when they speculate she has a hidden secret.

    “As they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is,” reads the official logline. “As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believe is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.”

    Dulé Hill (Psych), Christina Hendricks (Good Girls), Sarayu Blue (Expats) and Jenny O’Hara (The Mindy Project) appear in Good American Family as recurring characters, with Katie Robbins serving as creator and executive producer with Sarah Sutherland. Pompeo is also an executive producer.

    Teacup Cancelled at Peacock After One Season

    (1/17/25) The Chenoweths’ extraterrestrial war has come to an early end: Peacock has cancelled its horror series Teacup after just one season, TVLine has confirmed.

    In Season 1, Yvonne Strahovski (The Handmaid’s Tale) and Scott Speedman (Grey’s Anatomy) starred as Maggie and James Chenoweth, two members of “a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive,” according to the official description.

    James Wan (M3GAN, Annabelle) executive-produces the series, which is inspired by Robert McCammon’s 1988 novel Stinger, with Ian McCulloch (Yellowstone) serving as showrunner. The cast also includes Chaske Spencer (Echo), Kathy Baker (Picket Fences), Boris McGiver (Evil), Caleb Dolden (Single Parents), Emilie Bierre (Transplant) and Luciano Leroux (Yellowjackets).

    L.A.-Based Series Return To Production After Wildfires-Related Shutdown

    (1/13/25) The last remaining Los Angeles-based scripted series whose production had been on pause in the wake of the devastating wildfires are set to resume production tomorrow, Jan. 14. That includes 20th Television’s Grey’s Anatomy, 9-1-1 and Doctor Odyssey, who all will film indoors. The only show that will remain dark is the studio’s All’s Fair, which has no interiors left to shoot.

    ‘Abbott Elementary’, ‘Hacks’, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ & ‘NCIS’ Among Series Pausing Production Amid LA Fires

    (1/8/25) As the Hollywood community and the rest of Los Angeles are waking up to post-apocalyptic skies, images of utter devastation from the ongoing wind-driven wildfires, more evacuation orders and school closures, scripted TV series are suspending production for the day Wednesday in impacted areas.

    Warner Bros. has closed production on its Burbank-located lot for Wednesday amid strong winds and fires not too far from the Los Angeles suburb. That affects the Warner Bros. TV series Abbott Elementary, All American and The Pitt, which were shooting today, as well as multi-camera sitcoms Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and the upcoming Leanne Morgan project, which had table reads/rehearsals scheduled.

    The sets of 20th Television’s Grey’s Anatomy and Doctor Odyssey will be dark today today.

    Also out of an abundance of caution, CBS Studios opted to wrap their LA productions for the day Wednesday morning. That includes NCIS, which films in Santa Clarita, and NCIS: Origins, which shoots on the Paramount lot. The studio’s LA-based sitcoms, The Neighborhood and Poppa’s House, were not scheduled to tape today and are working remotely.

    Universal Studio Group’s Hacks, which just won two Golden Globes Sunday, Happy’s Place, Loot, Suits LA and Ted will not film today due to NBCUniversal closing the lower lot at Universal Studios for the day.

    The company also is closing the Universal Studios theme park Wednesday with fires nearby.

    The fires are also affecting late-night, with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live and CBS’ After Midnight suspending tapings for the day.

    There have been a slew of events canceled amid the fires, including tonight’s premiere of the new Max medical drama The Pitt and an in-person press event for ABC’s new comedy Shifting Gears, also today. Prime Video’s Fallout, which films in Santa Clarita, pushed restart of production after the holiday break by a couple of days out of precaution.

    We will update with information on more production suspensions if/when it becomes available.

    Celebrity Jeopardy: Quarterfinal #1: Max Greenfield, Camilla Luddington and W. Kamau Bell (1/8) (Season Premiere)

    (12/23/24) WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

    9:02-10:02 p.m. EST – Celebrity Jeopardy: “Quarterfinal #1: Max Greenfield, Camilla Luddington and W. Kamau Bell” (301) (Season Premiere)

    Logline: Celebrity contestants compete for the $1 million grand prize for charity with Max Greenfield (Wags and Walks), Camilla Luddington (I Stand With My Pack) and W. Kamau Bell (DonorsChoose). Ken Jennings hosts.

    Martin Henderson Would Return To ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ If There Is “Really Clear Plan” For Nathan

    (12/21/24) It’s been more than seven years since Martin Henderson left ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy after two seasons as a series regular, playing Dr. Nathan Riggs. While the venerable medical drama is known for bringing back cast members, Henderson is one of few who have never been back.

    During an interview about Season 6 of his popular Netflix series Virgin River, Deadline asked Henderson whether he has given any thought to potentially returning to Grey’s Anatomy.

    “I haven’t given it a lot of thought, just because I’ve been so committed and busy with Virgin River and some other stuff and life,” he said. “But I think Shonda Rhimes has always been really supportive of me; we’ve actually worked together a bunch of times on different things, so I would always be open to the possibility. Again, if it fitted in with whatever else was going on in my life at the time and my career.”

    Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes had cast Henderson in two other projects for ABC, pilot Inside the Box and series Off the Map, before recruiting him as a new series regular for Season 12 of Grey’s Anatomy, on the heels of the shocking exit of the series’ male lead, Patrick Dempsey, the previous season.

    Nathan succeeded Dempsey’s Derek as a love interest for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) but, after a somewhat frustrating two-year run, Nathan made a quiet exit in the October 2017 episode “Danger Zone.” He was last seen on a Southern California beach with Dr. Megan Hunt’s (Abigail Spencer) and her son Farouk as they set out for a future together.

    We know that didn’t last as, during a Season 18 return, Spencer’s Megan revealed that she and Nathan had broken up.

    Henderson said he would be open to a Grey’s return “as long as I felt that the character had something to do and I could give something, because I don’t think they really knew what to do with Nathan,” he said. “It was almost like a stopgap measure.with the departure of Derek. It was like, oh, we need a love interest. And so he, and by virtue I, was dropped into this world, but I don’t think he was ever that defined. If I were to go back, I would have to make sure that there was a really clear plan for why he was there.”

    In his exit interview in 2017, Henderson told Deadline about his Grey’s stint, “It was always a short-term thing, and I was happy to spend a few years doing the show,” adding, “I would never close the door” to a potential return.

    Grey’s Anatomy is currently in its 21sth season.

    “Because of the longevity and power of this show, we all know– If you’re part of the Grey’s family, you’re always part of the family and possibly can come and go through the years,” the series’ current showrunner Meg Marinis told Deadline in September.

    Henderson may also collaborate Rhimes at Netflix where her Shondaland is based and he stars on Virgin River.

    “It’s all in the family,” he said.

    ‘Celebrity Jeopardy!’ Season 3 Lineup: Ana Navarro, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Rachel Brosnahan & More

    (12/18/24) Jeopardy! has unveiled the red (or make that blue) carpet for Celebrity Jeopardy! Season 3, dropping the full list of 27 A-listers taking the Alex Trebek stage starting on Wednesday, January 8, at 9 p.m. on ABC. Plus, a snazzy trailer to go along with it.

    The star-studded lineup was obtained by Entertainment Weekly and announced on Wednesday (January 18). The upcoming iteration packs a serious network TV punch with some very familiar faces. The contestants are as follows:

    Ana Navarro (The View)
    Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Ms. Maisel)
    Neil deGrasse Tyson
    Blake Anderson (Workaholics)
    Corbin Bleu (High School Musical, One Life To Live)
    Yvette Nicole Brown (Community)
    D’Arcy Carden (The Good Place)
    Margaret Cho (Fire Island)
    Seth Green (Robot Chicken)
    Max Greenfield (New Girl)
    Sean Gunn (Gilmore Girls)
    Camilla Luddington (Grey’s Anatomy)
    Natalie Morales (Dead to Me)
    Melissa Peterman (Happy’s Place)
    Roy Wood Jr. (The Daily Show)
    Brian Jordan Alvarez (English Teacher)
    W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America)
    Sherry Cola (Joy Ride)
    Chris Distefano (Benders)
    Omar J. Dorsey (Queen Sugar)
    Susie Essman (Curb Your Enthusiasm)
    Fortune Feimster (The Mindy Project)
    David Friedberg (All-In)
    Mina Kimes (ESPN’s Around The Horn)
    Phoebe Robinson (Everything’s Trash)
    Robin Thede (A Black Lady Sketch Show)
    Jackie Tohn (Nobody Wants This)

    Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald & Madeleine Madden Starring In Horror ‘Saccharine’ For ‘Relic’ Director, Filming Underway In Australia

    (12/17/24) Filming is underway in Australia on Saccharine, with Grey’s Anatomy and The Sex Lives of College Girls star Midori Francis in the lead role.

    The under-the-radar project marks the third film from writer-director Natalie Erika James, following Julia Garner horror Apartment 7A and breakout horror hit Relic with Emily Mortimer.

    James again partners with producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw of Carver Films, whose credits include Relic, Run Rabbit Run and Snowtown.

    The movie follows Hana (Francis), a lovelorn medical student who becomes terrorised by a hungry ghost after taking part in an obscure weight-loss craze: eating human ashes.

    Starring alongside Francis are Danielle Macdonald (Patti Cake$) playing Josie, Hana’s best friend, and Madeleine Madden (The Wheel of Time) as Alanya, a personal trainer and fitness influencer.

    The project is a Carver Films and Thrum Films production. Production investment comes from Screen Australia, XYZ in conjunction with IPR.VC, and Stan, in association with VicScreen. Co-producer is Ben Morgan.

    Pic will be distributed theatrically in Australia and New Zealand by Maslow Entertainment and will launch as a Stan Original Film on Stan. XYZ Films is handling world sales.

    Saccharine is currently filming at Docklands Studios Melbourne and various locations around Melbourne.

    Natalie Erika James said of the project: “There is so much toxic messaging around weight and appearance that permeates every corner of our culture. Saccharine is an intimate look into one woman’s struggle with body image, self-worth, and shame-driven compulsion, told through a supernatural body-horror with a queer lens and an edge of the absurd.”

    Producers Anna McLeish and Sarah Shaw of Carver Films added: “Saccharine explodes off the page with Natalie’s bold vision. To team with her again is such a sweet pleasure for us. We can’t wait to see Midori, Danielle and Madeleine bring these incredible women to life.”

    Midori Francis is represented by William Morris Endeavor, Circle Management + Production, and Johnson Shapiro; Danielle Macdonald is represented by CAA and Justice & Ponder; and Madeleine Madden is represented by Sue Barnett & Associates Australia.

    King Charles Honors Ted Sarandos, Shonda Rhimes For “Extraordinary Services To Creative Industry In UK”

    (12/14/24) Netflix boss Ted Sarandos has been awarded one of the UK’s highest honors, receiving a CBE from King Charles.

    The streamer’s co-CEO received his award – Commander of the British Empire – from British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce at the British Embassy in Washington, alongside fellow entertainment industry titan Shonda Rhimes, producer of Netflix hit Bridgerton.

    Sarandos posted on Instagram his delight at receiving the award, describing the ceremony a ‘beautiful ceremony and an afternoon I will never forget.”

    The UK Embassy also reported the event on social media, saying Sarandos was recognised for extraordinary services to creative industries. The Embassy praised his work: “Under his leadership, the platform has worked with more than 30,000 British cast and crew and currently has more than 100 productions active in the UK.”

    Rhimes received her honorary for services to UK-US relations. The Embassy said: “Ms Rhimes has changed the face of TV storytelling, creating more roles for female actors, people from diverse cultures, and those with disabilities. As well as making some of the longest standing and record-breaking shows in history, she’s launched the career of many British actors and continues to make significant cultural and economic impact to the UK.”

    In particular, they noted, “Bridgerton was not only one of the most watched Netflix shows of all time but was championed for its diverse casting and modern twist on regency-era storytelling.

    “Alongside its cultural impact, the series also supported significant direct and indirect economic investment to the UK.”

    Bridgerton, Rhimes adaptation of the Regency-period romance novels by Julia Quinn, debuted on Netflix on Christmas Day 2020, with its spin-off prequel Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story appearing in May 2023. Both shows have been enormous global hits for the platform.

    ‘The Way Home’ Season 3 To Debut On Hallmark Channel As Move To Hallmark+ Is Nixed After Backlash

    (12/13/24) The Way Home fans have spoken — and Hallmark executives have listened. A couple of weeks after it was announced that the popular Hallmark Channel series starring Andie MacDowell will migrate from the linear cable network to Hallmark+ for its upcoming third season, the decision has been reversed.

    Instead of debuting Jan. 2 exclusively on Hallmark+ as previously announced, with a run on Hallmark Channel in fall 2025, Season 3 will premiere Jan. 3 on the cable network and will be available on the subscription streaming service the next day.

    The Way Home, which also stars Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams and Sadie Laflamme-Snow, is the No. 1 most-watched program overall on entertainment cable among homes, viewers and women and persons 18+, per Hallmark.

    The company clearly wanted to use one of its flagship titles to boost subscriptions for its new streaming platform. But fans were not impressed, expressing frustration that the platform switch would require them to pay extra in order to continue to watch the show.

    MacDowell, Leigh, Williams and Laflamme-Snow return for Season 3, with new cast members Julia Tomasone (Ghostwriter) and Jordan Doww (Ganymede) portraying the teen versions of Del (MacDowell) and Colton (Jefferson Brown), while Devin Cecchetto (The Parker Andersons/Amelia Parker) joins the cast as Teen Evelyn.

    Season 3 picks up where season two left off – with Kat (Leigh) and her brother Jacob (Spencer Macpherson), who went missing more than two decades ago at the age of eight and is now an adult, poised to walk into the Landry home to an unsuspecting Del (MacDowell).

    The Way Home is a Neshama Entertainment production in association with MarVista Entertainment. Executive producers are Heather Conkie, Alexandra Clarke, Fernando Szew, Hannah Pillemer, Larry Grimaldi, Ani Kevork, Arnie Zipursky, Marly Reed, Suzanne L. Berger, MacDowell and Leigh. The series is produced by John Calvert. Mitch Geddes and Jessica Runk serve as consulting producers. Michael Hanley is executive story editor.

    Kate Walsh Boards Oscar-Qualified Live-Action Short ‘The Runt’ As Executive Producer

    (12/10/24) Actress Kate Walsh (Grey’s Anatomy) has boarded The Runt, an Oscar-qualified live-action short film written, directed and produced by Emmy-nominated TV veteran Christy Stratton (Modern Family), as executive producer.

    Walsh is just the latest to attach in that capacity today, following Brendan Gleeson with The Boat and Sharon Horgan with Calf. The project reunites her with Stratton, with whom she previously collaborated on the Emmy-nominated web series Everyone’s Crazy But Us.

    The Runt follows Janet Bauer (Luna Martin), who like most 12-year-olds in 1979, lives for Friday nights at the Moonlight Rollerway. This particular Friday is special — it’s the last one before junior high starts. When Janet finds out the 8th grade girls have chosen her to be the 7th grade “runt,” she decides she must skate with a boy to prove her maturity and avoid this fate, which would ruin her life forever.

    Following its Florida Film Festival premiere, the short has gone on to win Best Live Action Short at the Lone Star Film Festival, Best Screenplay at the Wyoming Film Festival, Best American Spectrum Short at the Indy Film Festival, and Narrative Shorts Honorable Mention at Dances With Films. It’s also been selected to screen at the Florida Film Festival, HollyShorts, the Austin Film Festival, Imagine This Women’s Film Festival, the Catalina Film Festival, and the San Diego Film Festival.

    “The Runt is a poignant and funny film about a tween girl learning how to fight through her fears. With themes of identity, friendship, and self-confidence, it really struck a chord with my 12-year-old self,” said Walsh. “Christy’s timeless story transcends generations, but hits me especially hard since I, too was a child in the 70’s and deeply committed to roller-skating, so I can dig it on that level as well.”

    Stratton shared that “Kate’s immediate connection to the film was so gratifying to the entire team – we were delighted when she agreed to join us as an executive producer. It just goes to show what can happen when you ask for what you want.”

    Known for her work on series like Grey’s Anatomy, Emily in Paris, and The Umbrella Academy, Walsh has also been seen in films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Girls Trip, and Under the Tuscan Sun, among others.

    ‘Dexter: Original Sin’ Teaser Reveals Patrick Dempsey’s Mustache Means Business

    (12/7/24) (Video) Patrick Dempsey may not be the star of Showtime’s Dexter: Original Sin but his character Captain Aaron Spencer means business—mustaches don’t lie.

    The teaser was released at CCXP in São Paolo, Brazil on a panel featuring cast members Patrick Gibson (“Dexter Morgan”), Christian Slater (“Harry Morgan”), Molly Brown (“Debra Morgan”), and special guest stars Sarah Michelle Gellar (“Tanya Martin”) and Patrick Dempsey. The series premieres on December 13 globally on Paramount+.

    Captain Spencer recently welcomed a second Morgan family member into the Miami Metro fold: Dexter Morgan (Patrick Gibson), who follows his father, Harry Morgan (Christian Slater), into the business. For those of you OG Dexter fans, you know that eventually, potty-mouth queen Deborah Morgan will also join the force. But we have some time until that happens.

    Dexter is currently dipping his toes into the industry as an intern, working closely alongside his new buddies Vincent Masuka (Alex Shimizu) and Angel Batista (James Martinez). It’s fun to see the desk Dexter works from as a young man continues to be his spot through adulthood, well, at least until he decides to run away and be a logger.

    Captain Spencer means business and even though Dexter’s dad is beloved at work, things won’t be easy for him. He needs to find a way to hone his craft and make his two passions work without getting caught. We know how it ends, now see how it all began.

    It’s worth noting, Gibson, Martinez and Shimizu are spot on with their nods to the OG characters. It’s just enough of the classic moves to give a nod to the future, without it looking like pure imitation. And hearing Michael C. Hall’s voice narrating the tale, is a chef’s kiss.

    Serving as a prequel to the award-winning Showtime series Dexter, Dexter: Original Sin is set in 1991 Miami and follows Dexter (Gibson) as he transitions from student to avenging serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.

    Dexter: Original Sin also stars Christina Milian and Reno Wilson.

    Watch the teaser above.

    T.R. Knight Joins Broadway’s ‘Stranger Things’ Cast Along With Alex Breaux, Gabrielle Nevaeh & Others

    (12/4/24) T.R. Knight, Alex Breaux and Gabrielle Nevaeh will be among those joining the previously announced Louis McCartney in Broadway‘s upcoming production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow.

    Knight (Grey’s Anatomy) will play Victor Creel, Breaux (Stranger Things Season 5 will play Dr. Brenner, and Nevaeh (Nickelodeon’s That Girl Lay Lay) will be Patty Newby. Other cast members announced today are Rosie Benton (Broadway’s Patriots) as Virginia Creel; Nicky Eldridge (Broadway debut) as Bob Newby; Andrew Hovelson (Broadway’s Lucky Guy) as Principal Newby; Alison Jaye (Shameless) as Joyce Maldonado; and Burke Swanson (Back to the Future: The Musical) as James Hopper, Jr.

    As previously announced, McCartney will play Henry Creel. Further casting will be announced in January 2025.

    Stranger Things: The First Shadow begins previews Friday, March 28, 2025, at Broadway’s Marquis Theatre, with an official opening on Tuesday, April 22.

    The latest castings were announced today by producers Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions.

    Based on an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne and Kate Trefry, and rooted in the mythology and world of the Netflix series, Stranger Things: The First Shadow is a new play written by Trefry, directed by Stephen Daldry and co-directed by Justin Martin. The West End production won two Olivier Awards including Best Entertainment.

    The official synopsis: “Before the world turned upside down. Hawkins, 1959: a regular town with regular worries. Young Jim Hopper’s car won’t start, Bob Newby’s sister won’t take his radio show seriously and Joyce Maldonado just wants to graduate and get the hell out of town. When new student Henry Creel arrives, his family finds that a fresh start isn’t so easy…and the shadows of the past have a very long reach.”

    The Broadway staging is produced by Netflix and Sonia Friedman Productions. The Duffer Brothers act as creative producers, with 21 Laps Entertainment as associate producer.

    Former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Showrunners Teaming On ITV Period Drama Reimagining Life Of Elizabeth I

    (12/3/24) A trio of former Grey’s Anatomy showrunners are teaming on an ITV period drama that will reimagine the life of a young Elizabeth I in the court of the notorious King Henry VIII.

    As the BBC’s high-profile Tudor series Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light amasses solid ratings, Joan Rater, Tony Phelan and William Harper are teaming on Majesty, which is being directed by Mr Bates vs the Post Office helmer James Strong. The show comes from Strong’s nascent Studiocanal-backed indie Strong Film & Television and is being sold by Studiocanal.

    Majesty will depict the life of a young Elizabeth I and her place in the court of King Henry VIII. Yet far from being an historical account of Elizabeth’s early years, it will reimagine her life based upon conspiracy theories which surrounded her when she was young. Elizabeth I became Queen a decade after Henry VIII’s death, ruling for nearly 50 years. She has been the subject of plenty TV and film projects down the years including a Helen Mirren-led mini series and Cate Blanchett movie.

    Rater, Phelan and Harper are three of the highest-profile American scribes to try their hands at creating a British show. The pair worked across more than 50 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy. They also co-created and EP CBS’ Fire Country, which is currently in production on its third season, along with its spin-off drama Sheriff Country. Other credits include NatGeo/Disney+ limited drama series A Small Light.

    “Majesty is an emotional, funny, and contemporary-feeling alternate history about how three outsiders try to stay alive while hiding a secret that, if discovered, would rock England to its foundations,” the trio said. “Majesty allows us to have fun with history while illuminating who we are now. This show is pure wish-fulfilment of how people devoted to the public good suddenly find themselves in a position to make a difference.”

    In Strong, the three have landed on one of the UK’s hottest TV directors, with whom they have already worked on Fire Country. He directed outsize ITV drama hit Mr Bates, which generated national news headlines for weeks about the devastating post office scandal and was critically acclaimed. Other credits include Vigil, Broadchurch and Liar. He launched his production company last year with Matt Tombs and Majesty is its first revealed project to land a buyer.

    Strong called the Majesty scripts a “director’s dream as we get to re-imagine and recreate an iconic piece of English history and tell a period story that looks stunning.”

    Cameras will roll on Majesty next year, with cast yet to be confirmed. ITV drama boss Polly Hill will oversee for the network and Studiocanal is distributing. Hill hailed a “perfect illustration of the range of drama that we want to see on ITV as we continue to strive to make the best and most ambitious mainstream drama for our UK audiences.”

    Majesty comes with the buzzy Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light having launched on the BBC several weeks back, attracting around 3 million viewers per ep on linear. The Hilary Mantel sequel adaptation stars Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance and tells the story of Thomas Cromwell navigating the Tudor court in the aftermath of the execution of Anne Boleyn. The show airs on PBS Masterpiece in the States.

    James Tupper Guest Stars Guests on FBI

    (12/3/24) James Tupper Guest Stars as Phil, the Father of a Victim’s Former Partner

    “Monumental” – After a park ranger is shot dead by a masked assailant on Governors Island, the team discovers a string of connected crimes that leads them to their toughest roadblock yet: an online conspiracy theory community, on FBI, Tuesday, Dec. 10 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*.

    WRITTEN BY: Matthew S. Partney

    DIRECTED BY: Eriq La Salle

    Shondaland Elevates Sandie Bailey & Chris DiIorio To Co-Presidents As Megha Tolia Departs

    (11/26/24) Megha Tolia, President and COO of Shondaland, is leaving the Netflix-based company after three years as her contract is coming to an end. She will be succeeded by Sandie Bailey and Chris DiIorio who have been named Co-Presidents while also continuing their responsibilities as Chief Innovation and Design Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, respectively.

    Bailey and DiIorio both joined Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland during the big 2016 executive expansion when the company — still based at Disney — transformed itself into a fully functioning mini-studio with its own infrastructure.

    Bailey, who shares a name with one of Shondaland’s most beloved characters, Grey’s Anatomy‘s Miranda Bailey, started at Shondaland as Director of Branding and Engagement and was subsequently promoted to Chief Brand and Operations Officer; DiIorio originally joined as VP of Strategy and Development.

    Both already had a relationship with Shondaland in their previous jobs — DiIorio while serving as head of PMK*BNC’s television department; events and interior decorating specialist Bailey while working in the set-decorating department of the company’s ABC drama Scandal.

    “There are no two people who are more closely aligned with my vision and goals for where I want to go as a company than Sandie and Chris,” Shondaland CEO Rhimes said. “Together they have over 20 years of institutional knowledge from all areas of our business and I am excited to have their expanded leadership as we continue to build Shondaland. I want to thank Megha for her valuable contributions over the past three years and wish her the best as she focuses on time with her family.”

    The executive change comes ahead of Shondaland’s 20th anniversary in 2025.

    “As we enter the 20th anniversary year of Shondaland, we are honored to be a long-standing part of this storytelling,” Bailey and DiIorio said. “We are excited for this next chapter, and look forward to leading Shondaland into the future.”

    Before joining Shondaland in December 2021, Tolia had worked in branding for such companies as Method Products and Neutrogena.

    “I am so grateful to Shonda and my colleagues at Shondaland for three wonderful years at the company,” Tolia said. “I look forward to cheering them on as they continue to tell stories and fearlessly entertain audiences everywhere.”

    ‘Dexter: Original Sin’ Trailer: Michael C. Hall Charts Young Dexter’s Path From Student To Serial Killer — Watch

    (11/26/24) (Video) Dexter: Original Sin is lurking right around the corner.

    In anticipation of the upcoming prequel series, Paramount Global finally debuted a trailer for the upcoming series, which follows Dexter Morgan’s path to becoming the avenging serial killer that audiences knew and loved in the original Showtime series.

    The trailer, just like the series, is narrated by Michael C. Hall as he looks back on his younger years to explain how he ends up as a blood splatter expert helping the Miami Police Department solve murders while committing them in his free time.

    There are scenes spliced into the trailer that call back to the ending of Dexter: New Blood. Dexter’s (Hall) is shown after he was shot by his son Harrison (Jack Alcott) lying in the snow motionless and believed to be deceased. Another scene shows he was taken to an emergency room and that’s when his life flashes before his eyes, connecting New Blood to Original Sin.

    The teaser does not reveal whether Dexter lives or dies, but the second season of New Blood has been renamed Resurrection for Season 2. One can only hope that our favorite serial killer-turned-logger then lumberjack may return.

    Watch the full trailer above. Dexter: Original Sin debuts on December 13 on Paramount+ with Showtime. It will also air on Showtime beginning December 15.

    Set in 1991 Miami, Dexter: Original Sin follows Dexter (Patrick Gibson) as he transitions from student to serial killer. When his bloodthirsty urges can’t be ignored any longer, Dexter must learn to channel his inner darkness. With the guidance of his father, Harry (Christian Slater), he adopts a Code designed to help him find and kill people who deserve to be eliminated from society without getting on law enforcement’s radar. This is a particular challenge for young Dexter as he begins a forensics internship at the Miami Metro Police Department.

    The prequel series also stars Molly Brown, Christina Milian, James Martinez, Alex Shimizu, Reno Wilson, special guest star Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Patrick Dempsey. Michael C. Hall returns to voice the iconic inner monologue in Dexter Morgan’s head.

    ‘The Way Home’ Season 3 Sets January Premiere Date on Hallmark+ — When Will It Air on Hallmark Channel?

    (11/25/24) The Way Home is moving to streaming for its upcoming third season—but there’s a twist!

    The third season of the time-travel drama will premiere on Hallmark+ on January 2, 2025—and then premiere on the Hallmark Channel in fall 2025, according to Variety.

    “Heather Conkie, Alexandra Clarke and Marly Reed’s incredible storytelling continues to amaze us,” Kate Redinger, senior director of programming, Hallmark Media, said in a statement. “Each season brilliantly builds on the one before and this season promises to be the best one yet. With the intriguing new characters they’ve created and riveting storylines, viewers are in for another enthralling season.”

    The Way Home stars Andie MacDowell, Chyler Leigh, Evan Williams, and Sadie Laflamme-Snow. The Season 2 finale, which aired in March, ended with Kat (Leigh) being surprised when her brother Jacob (Spencer MacPherson) returned to the present, rather than stay in the past, and with them about to reveal he was alive—and where he’d been—to their mother, Del (MacDowell) was about to be told about how their family can time travel using the pond on their property.

    “What’s the conversation going to be once they get in there? Keep in mind he’s wearing clothes from a different era,” executive producer Alex Clarke told TV Insider after the Season 2 finale. “How do you explain that? In the writers’ room, we know what’s going to unfold if and when she gets them into that kitchen. But I think that’s something the viewers will definitely be waiting on as a big reveal next year.”

    Added executive producer Heather Conkie, “Huge reveal, whether Del knew something or nothing or something in her past tweaks that she remembers something. But yeah, that’s the big reveal of Season 3 for sure.”

    Speaking of that ability of their family’s, a glimpse into the past revealed that Kat’s father Colton (Jefferson Brown) can time travel, too!

    Variety has also revealed details about Season 3, including that Kat and Alice (Laflamme-Snow) will travel back in time to 1974, when Del and Colton met. Playing the teen versions of Kat and Jacob’s parents are Julia Tomasone and Jordan Doww. Also joining the cast for Season 3 is Devin Cecchetto as Evelyn, a young girl Alice meets, “but their friendship could complicate the present.”

    What are you hoping to see in The Way Home Season 3? What do you think of the new release schedule?

    The Way Home, Season 3 Premiere, Thursday, January 2, 2025, Hallmark+

    Grey’s Fall Finale Recap: Mika Scrubs Out for Good — Plus, Who Got Shot?!?

    (11/22/24) Is it hot in here, or is it just the midseason finale of Grey’s Anatomy? In Thursday’s episode, a heatwave descended on Seattle. But that was only part of what set temperatures rising. By the end of the hour, Lucas and Jo found themselves in the crosshairs of a convenience-store holdup. How’d that happen?

    Well, as “Drop It Like It’s Hot” began, Teddy tasked Ben with managing the overflow in the E.R. He, in turn, sent Lucas and Jo to a convenience store to get ice, which was in short supply and badly needed to cool down patients. No sooner had the doctors discovered that all that was left at the store was a single bag than they were cowering in fear from a robber, who pulled a gun on cashier Gladys and ordered her to open the safe. While she struggled to do so, Jo discovered that she was bleeding.

    At that point, it appeared that the thief had started to soften toward his anxious hostages. But then Gladys grabbed a handy baseball bat and took a swing at him. In the blink of an eye, Lucas leapt into action, a struggle ensued, the gun went off, and… and that was it. We didn’t find out who, if anyone was shot! Keep reading, and we’ll go over all of the rest of the action in the episode.

    Grief Consumed Mika

    Returning to work after six weeks, Mika was, as you’d expect, still in mourning for her late sister, Chloe. But what Yasuda was going through seemed to go even deeper. Everywhere she looked at the hospital, she was reminded of her beloved younger sibling. At one point, when a patient in the E.R. suffered a heart attack, Mika altogether lost it, yelling at Bailey, “You’re letting him die. Aren’t you supposed to be a doctor?”

    Mika Quit the Hospital — and Jules

    Later, Mika pulled Jules into an on-call room and pleaded for help in feeling normal. A bit of sexual healing seemed to do the trick. When Mika apologized for her breakdown, Bailey assured her that she could take all the time she needed to recover mentally as well as physically. The trouble was, “I don’t think I can come back,” Yasuda said. So she packed up her locker, gave Jules one helluva goodbye kiss and left.

    Amelia (Almost) Pulled Off a Miracle

    Playing the field as he is, it was probably bound to happen: Winston ran into a woman he’d ghosted. Skye wasn’t fazed by that, though — not if he and Amelia could help her daughter Jackie, whose hoop dreams were being threatened by multiple aneurysms. In surgery, Amelia managed to get even the aneurysm that was like “Godzilla on steroids.” But when she and Winston tried to restart Jackie’s heart, all they got was… heartbreak.

    Blue and Molly Reunited

    Early on, Molly showed up at Grey Sloan and admitted to Blue that her boyfriend Dave had proposed. Yep, he’d popped the question, and her response was to make a beeline for her ex-fiancé. What with the heatwave and all, Kwan couldn’t talk just then, but as the episode neared its ending, he and his lost love were kissing and confessing that since they’d last crossed paths, they hadn’t been able to stop thinking about each other.

    Cass Unnerved Owen

    When Cass scrubbed in to help out during the crisis, she and Owen cleared the air, and everything seemed to be hunky dory. But then he eyeballed an innocent moment in which Cass had her hand on Teddy’s arm and clearly had a reaction. Off that upset, he offered old friend Nora a ride to her hotel since her car had broken down. What do we think? Will Owen’s insecurity land him in bed with Nora? And were you satisfied with Mika’s sendoff?

    Midori Francis On Her ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Exit, The Scene That Made Her Break Character & If She Would Come Back

    (11/22/24) After Grey’s Anatomy bid farewell to Jake Borelli’s Levi Schmitt last week, it was Midori Francis‘ turn to say goodbye to the show. Her exit was one of several major storylines in a jam-packed fall finale that left multiple lives hanging in the balance.

    Set more than six months after the events in the previous episode, the finale chronicles Mika’s (Francis) first day back after the van accident which left her fighting for her life, with her younger sister Chloe ultimately dying. Mika is not herself all day, evoking her late sister anywhere she goes, including the room Chloe died in and the morgue.

    Mika then becomes hysterical when a male patient starts coding, screaming at Bailey (Chandra Wilson) “He’s dying”, “you can’t just let him die like that,” before abruptly switching to “you have to save her, please save her” and “just take me, Dr. Bailey, take me.”

    It soon becomes clear that this is all too much too soon for Mika. “Chloe, she was my heart. And now I’ve lost it,” she tells Simone (Alexis Floyd).

    After the coding patient incident, Bailey was already going to ask Mika to take more time off. Instead, Mika told her that she was leaving Grey Sloan. “I need to find a way forward but I can’t do it if everything around me reminds me of her.”

    Having had sex with Jules (Adelaide Kane) for the first time a little earlier in the episode, she and Mika have a heart-wrenching goodbye, and Mika walks out.

    In an interview with Deadline from the set of a movie Francis would not identify, she addressed her decision to depart Grey’s Anatomy after two and a half seasons, which Deadline reported exclusively in May. She discussed filming Mika’s dramatic final arc and her three big scenes with one of her acting heroes, Wilson.

    Francis also spoke about Mika and Jules finally hooking up, the strong bond with the actors from her class of interns, Kane, Floys, Niko Terho and Harry Shum Jr., and the one scene with them this season where she is not in character. She also shared her vision for Mika’s future and whether she would return to Grey’s. (In a September interview, series showrunner Meg Marinis called Francis and Borelli “fantastic actors” who “will always be part of the Grey’s Anatomy family.)

    DEADLINE: Being a series regular on Grey’s Anatomy is a dream job for so many actors. What made you decide to walk away from such a hit show?

    FRANCIS: First of all, not only did I love the show, I watched the show when I was in middle school. I can still remember watching it with my friends and my mom and just being like, Oh my God, this is TV. Obviously they were older than me, and I just thought that the characters were so cool and interesting.

    So when I joined this new group of interns, it was so surreal and awesome to be a part of that. I had a full-hearted, full-throated, wild, beautiful ride that I am so grateful for. Creatively, it’s about coming together to find the right story, the right moment for Mika’s exit that could fit into the larger season and arc, and I think that the writers did such a good job. Because when I think about Mika, she’s so ambitious and she’s so competitive, so what would cause her to leave Grey Sloan? And boy, did they set that up well.

    I worked pretty close with Meg Marinis, our incredible, kind showrunner. We talked about sister stuff, got very into it, because Meg is a younger sister, and I’m an older sister, and the writers came to me and said, you’re getting a sister, and she’s younger. It was really interesting because I thought she might be older, but the fact that she was younger put Mika in this kind of leadership position, and made her more mature, in a way. And then, when they did what they did to Chloe. Oh, my God. I think they called themselves monsters in the most loving way.

    But what it did is it made for a freaking great episode and so iconically Grey’s, which is a very full circle moment for me, because I started with watching Grey’s. I just felt like the only way Mika would leave the hospital is something really bad happening. And boy, they created something so incredible for me to play. I honestly, had such a great time this season.

    DEADLINE: Mika has been a largely comedic character. Were you surprised how dramatic her final arc was?

    FRANCIS: I was just so excited. You know how I say full circle. How cool it was that for a few seasons, we got to know this character as being very funny and having this quirkiness about her and being, at times, comic relief. And then to be led by the writers’ hand into this darker place — I mean, how well rounded Mika became. That I got to do that as an actor, that I got to do both sides of the iconic Grey’s Anatomy pendulum in one character, I was so, so happy about that.

    DEADLINE: Did you ask for a great Grey’s death?

    FRANCIS: In terms of who dies on the show, that is entirely up to those creative, delightfully wicked minds, of which character fits, what makes sense when.

    DEADLINE: Mika looked like a different person on her first day back at work, almost like a zombie. How was it playing her in that subdued mode until her meltdown?

    FRANCIS: There are many things going on here. There was our director, [Grey’s star] Kevin McKidd, who we had two weeks together; he really led me into these spaces. I had probably the best time I’ve ever had working with him as a director. I came with what I was thinking, he came with what he was thinking. My makeup artist, Tai Young, helped me put the bags under my eyes. It was just about psychologically making sure that Mika was not okay.

    So that was a very conscious choice. And then, it was just playing what it would be like to be this person who really wants to work and to be a good doctor, but then everywhere you turn, you see reminders of this horrible thing that just happened.

    In Episode 4, which I loved, you meet Chloe, who’s played by Julia Rose. Me and Julia went out to get lunch, we got to know each other and weirdly, it did feel like she was my little sister. Because we did such a good job of, you built that love, and you saw why Mika loved her. So it was almost an easy transition to then go into the sorrow, because we had already built the love. I think those two things are two sides of the same coin, you can’t really grieve or be bereft without having an immense amount of love for the thing that or the person that you’re grieving. They just set it up really well, quite frankly.

    DEADLINE: Including the coding emergency, you got to close out your run on Grey’s with not one, not two, but three scenes opposite the great Chandra Wilson, going back to the very end of the previous episode when Mika woke up. How was it working with Chandra and finding that closure for Mika in her final conversation with Dr. Bailey?

    FRANCIS: I don’t think I knew that it was going to be Dr. Bailey who led Mika through this until very close to when it happened. And as you can imagine, being somebody who watched the show in middle school. Dr. Bailey seemed super real to me when I first met Chandra Wilson, it was very difficult for me to be like, you are a person, you’re not Dr. Bailey. It was only as I kept getting the scenes, and I was like, Oh, Dr. Bailey is leading me out here.

    There are lots of great moments as an actor, specifically. The moment when Mika wakes up and it was Dr. Bailey holding her hand was one of the more profound experiences for me as an artist. Because here’s this person that I respect, this powerhouse actor who’s still killing it, 21 seasons in, and she’s the one holding me through this.

    Then I started to learn more about how she’s helped so many other interns, and I got to be part of the cycle. But yes, looking up in her eyes during that scene was one of the more profound experiences for me as an actor. So simple answer, if you had to choose, Dr. Bailey is a pretty good one to go through those things with.

    DEADLINE: What was the hardest scene for you to film in the finale?

    FRANCIS: I’ll give you a funny one — how about that, very Mika. It’s only funny to me, but Kevin had this amazing idea for the opening shot on the chair. I don’t know if he would want me to share it, but he had this very specific inspiration. So I had to turn my head very technically during that shot. Sometimes, as an actor, when you’re trying to live through your emotions, then you also have to do very technical things, it could be challenging. So I was like, how slowly am I moving my head? Am I going right first or left first? And I will say that is something that Grey’s Anatomy has made me much better at, be a better technical actor.

    DEADLINE: You mentioned the interns. The five of you started on the show at the same time, you’re the first one to leave. Talk about the friendship of the characters on-screen and your relationship as a group off-screen. How was it saying goodbye to them?

    FRANCIS: Well, I have a photo of the five of us — I don’t think it’s a public photo actually — all of us laying on the ground in a circle that is currently in my trailer on the movie that I’m making, along with some photos of my girlfriend and my best friend and some quotes. So that kind of explains it.

    It was really special. Those are not only stand-up talents, but they’re really good people, and I can’t imagine we won’t stay close. I won’t imagine we won’t stay close because that would be too sad. In Episode 7, specifically, it was kind of fun because — well, it was hard to keep my eyes closed for that long [while Mika was unconscious]. But there was something really awesome about being there with my eyes closed, and just feeling all this incredible work they were doing, from Addie’s meltdown to Harry’s monologue about the laundry, to Niko as Lucas to Alexis rushing in, it was just so cool, that’s how I was closing out, seeing my real-life friends, and feeling proud and connected.

    Oh, and if you want to know, a sad moment was a little at the end of Episode 4, when they [Jules, Benson, Lucas and Simone] gave me that stuff [care package for Mika and Chloe]. I think maybe there was a chance we’re all clocking a little bit, coming soon there could be a moment that this won’t be the same exactly anymore, the five of us.

    And I had a moment as Midori in that scene at the end of 4 when I was just looking up at the four of them. And if you saw Mika’s eyes tear up, that was just me. I was filled with love. And I assure you, I know this sounds like a love fest, but there are other experiences, there are other groups of people that’ve I worked with that I do not feel this excited about.

    DEADLINE: Mika’s scene with Jules. Obviously, it was rewarding for the fans who had invested into their relationship since last season’s finale to see the two of them finally do the deed before Mika left. How was it filming that as well as Mika and Jules’ emotional goodbye, with Mika walking away from love, which is as hard as — and possibly even harder — than walking away from a job?

    FRANCIS: Yeah, Addie and I came together not too long ago to play these characters who then developed a more romantic relationship. I don’t want to speak for Addie, but I know that for both of us, how that story was told was very important to us on a personal level, and because we had already had this trust and this friendship, we could really get into it and talk about the scenes on and off screen.

    It was one of those things where it was great chemistry, it just happened. And we also work really well together. She knows when I’m doing my weird thing in my corner with my AirPods. I know when she’s doing her little, very specific and unique quirks. We both just cared very much about how it was told, and it was really fun to do that together. As far as Mika walking from love, I feel terrible for Jules, but I feel like she has more pressing things at this moment. That’s life sometimes, isn’t it?

    DEADLINE: Was there a final scene with someone else on Grey’s you were hoping for but didn’t get to do? Mika’s storyline with Taryn was awhile back but it felt a bit rude to leave without saying goodbye.

    FRANCIS: I feel that given the extent of Mika’s grief in that moment, I forgave her for walking away pretty quickly. But gosh, I could be greedy and name every single one of them but I won’t, because I’m deeply happy with with how it all played out. And I hope fans are too, happy in the way that sometimes you’re not happy when you watch Grey’s Anatomy, but you’re happy because it is Grey’s Anatomy.

    DEADLINE: What do you think happens to Mika next, would she return to surgery in the future? And would she — and you — return to Grey’s if there’s an opportunity?

    FRANCIS: I think Mika has a lot of healing to do, and she’s going to go home and do that. In the back of my mind, because I know how passionate she is about what she does, do I think and do I hope that she will find a way to use this grief as a way to continue pursuing caring for other people? Yes, I do.

    As far as returning to Grey’s, I would be so delighted. These people and this world has become part of my trajectory of acting families, and I would be absolutely delighted to return. I don’t know if Mika would, I think for Mika it would be triggering.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Bids Farewell To Mika As Fall Finale Cliffhangers Leave Lives In Limbo

    (11/22/24) Grey’s Anatomy is known for its jam-packed finales but even by those standards, this year’s fall closer was a doozy. Set against the backdrop of a deadly heat wave, it featured the Grey Sloan exit of Mika (Midori Francis) who struggled to move on from her sister’s death. There was a risky surgery that may have killed a patient, a store robbery gone wrong that may have killed one or more people, more marriage woes for Owen and Teddy and rekindled love for Kwan.

    Taking place more than six months after the events in the previous episode when Mika woke up after her surgery to find out that her sister Chloe had died, the finale chronicles Mika’s first day back at Grey Sloan after a recovery time off.

    She keeps saying that she was OK but she clearly isn’t. Things boil over when a patient with a heat stroke crashes and she freezes before going into a meltdown and screaming at Bailey.

    Mika eventually realizes that she can’t stay at Grey Sloan where everything reminds her of Chloe. Bailey tries to convince her to take some time off instead, but in the end, she supports Mika’s decision to leave.

    Having just taken their budding relationship to the next level with a hookup earlier in the episode, Jules is left devastated by Mika’s exit. (You can read Francis’ exit interview about her Grey’s departure and possible return here.)

    The big medical case of the week involves a teenage girl with multiple aneurisms taken on by Amelia after she had been turned away by several other doctors because of the perils of her condition. Amelia teams with Winston — who had ghosted the girl’s mom after a date — for a complex and very risky surgery. They seem to have pulled it off until it’s time for the girl’s heart to restart and it doesn’t. Multiple resuscitation attempts are unsuccessful, with the girl’s fate among two major cliffhangers in the finale.

    The other came out of a somewhat bizarre subplotline involving Jo and Lucas running to a nearby convenience store to buy ice needed to cool off patients suffering from heat-related illnesses.

    They get pulled into the slowest, most clumsy robbery where a gunman stands with his gun drawn for 10 minutes by the glass door and somehow no one walks in or notices him from the outside. Then there is a second awkward, drawn-out standoff as the store clerk tries to open the safe in the back of the store. She eventually attacks the robber with a baseball bat. Lucas then jumps the perpetrator. As the two wrestle for the gun, in a classic TV cliffhanger, a gunshot is heard as the screen fades to black.

    Being in close proximity to Adams and the criminal as the gun went off, Jo and her unborn twins could also potentially be in danger. She already found herself in a different, pregnancy-related emergency earlier in the robbery when she had vaginal bleeding.

    In other developments, Ben is still struggling to fit in at Grey Sloan. Teddy asks him to tap into his first responder skills as the heat wave bring an influx of patients the hospital. He does but — having been on the other side, riding in an ambulance with nowhere to go — later defies Teddy’s order to start diverting patients until she finds out and shuts him down.

    Speaking of Teddy, her marriage with Owen continues to deteriorate. Grey’s is working hard on pushing them apart this season. Sophia Bush’s Cass is back in the picture after that surprise kiss with Teddy, making Owen jealous by casually caressing Teddy’s arm in the elevator. He responds by giving childhood friend Nora a ride to her hotel.

    Amid all the chaos at Grey Sloan, Benson’s ex-fiancée Molly shows up. Her boyfriend had proposed but she could not shake off her meeting with Kwan from earlier in the season and wants to see him before she makes her decision. It turns out Benson had not been able to get Molly out of his head either, and the couple seals the restart of their relationship with a kiss.

    Grey’s Recap: Mika’s Fate Revealed — Plus, Not One But Two More Exits?

    (11/14/24) After falling asleep at the wheel in the November 7 episode of Grey’s Anatomy (recapped here), Mika along with sister Chloe was wheeled into Grey Sloan Thursday. And, given that we knew Midori Francis was leaving the show, we couldn’t be too optimistic that Yasuda would ever be wheeled back out. In other developments, Levi, having accepted a peds research position in Texas, had a big ask of new boo James. Would the chaplain be exiting stage left along with his significant other? Read on…

    ‘IS YOUR HAND BROKEN?’ | As “If You Leave” began, Simone and Blue noticed that nobody had slept in Mika’s bed. At that very moment, she and Chloe were being extricated from Mika’s van by EMTs. Levi and James were bracing for Schmitt’s last day and trying to accept the fact that time together was about to become extremely scarce. At Grey Sloan, Teddy tried to make peace with Owen, but she might as well have been talking to a brick wall. Lucas attempted to generate support for a resurrection of the hospital softball team. And then came the exclamation points: Mika and Chloe arrived via ambulance.

    Though Yasuda had suffered blunt trauma to the abdomen, she still found the strength to tell Skywalker to go take care of Chloe, whose legs were hurting a lot. (No wonder — they looked like meat that had been tenderized.) When Simone, Blue and Jules arrived, Bailey was saying that Mika was bleeding in the abdomen. “She’s coding,” Winston hollered, at which point poor Millin totally lost it and had to be pulled away. (How, how, how are Jules and Mika not Grey’s next supercouple?!?) Yasuda’s liver had herniated into her chest, Hunt said. Not sure what that meant, but that couldn’t be good. Chloe’s situation was dire, too; she’d just gone through her first round of chemo, and now this?!?

    ‘YOU’RE A TERRIBLE ROOMMATE’ | Alone with Simone and Blue, Jules recalled that she’d switched with Mika to let her scrub in with Winston the night before. If she hadn’t, maybe Yasuda wouldn’t have fallen asleep at the wheel. “Maybe that doesn’t matter to your stone heart,” Millin told Blue, “but it does to me.” Before operating on Mika, Teddy had the shakes, remembering as she did how she’d once barked at her. “I’m sorry about Cass,” Altman said. “Don’t think about that right now,” Hunt replied. “We can do this.” But could they? The way everybody was sharing their memories of Yasuda, it felt almost like we were watching a pre-eulogy. When Simone tracked down Jules, she confessed that she and Mika were more than friends. In that case, “you’re gonna need something stronger than Gummy Bears,” Griffith suddenly understood. Her solution? Making Jules look at babies and sit in a comfy chair.

    In the O.R., Bailey, Winston, Owen and Teddy argued over whether or not to remove Mika’s liver. “You got a better plan?” Hunt asked. “Let her stabilize for a few hours” while the docs plotted out a miracle, Miranda said, adding that anyone who disagreed could scrub all the way out, thanks. Sitting with an unconscious Mika, Blue joked that she’d messed up the laundry again. “But I tell ya what, you pull through this, and I’ll do your laundry for as long as we live together.” On the treadmill, Bailey came up with an idea: something super complicated having to do with using Mika’s spleen to help save her liver. With Simone, Jules shared that she’d never had a relationship that felt as easy and electric as the one she has with Mika. “She’s not going down without a fight,” Griffith reassured her, “especially if she has you to fight for.”

    ‘I DIDN’T LIKE HER WHEN I FIRST MET HER’ | While in one O.R., it was starting to look like Chloe might lose a leg, in another, Bailey & Co. got back to work trying to save Mika. Seeing Yasuda on the table when he called for Teddy to assist Link, Ben and Richard next door, Lucas was so wrecked that he upchucked in the hall. When all was said and done, it appeared that not only had Chloe’s leg been saved, but Mika had pulled through. Somehow, while Jules was reminiscing about her first meeting with Yasuda, it came out that Millin had slept with Link. “She’s stable,” Bailey told the residents. “Now we wait and see.”

    ‘SHUT UP, I AM NOT CRYING BEFORE LUNCH’ | While Levi tried to psych himself to move to Texas, leaving behind James, Jo and his whole life, he also admitted to Wilson that long-distance was already feeling harder than he expected. Soon, he was distracted by baby Ruby, who was turning blue. The tot was fine, but would Levi be? He got all sentimental with Jo, who, hormonal or not, refused to get misty-eyed that early in the day. While performing a procedure on Ruby, Levi sang “You Are My Sunshine” to her. “You’ve come a long way” from dropping your glasses in a patient, Jo noted. She then offered advice: If he was committed to making long-distance work, despite how awful it is, it would work.

    Later, Levi stopped by James’ office to ask… if he’d move to Texas with him. “You’ve lived all over the world, why not San Antonio?” Schmitt said, adding that he was falling in love with the chaplain. At the end of the day, James was a no-show meeting Levi in the lobby. Schmitt figured he’d scared him off. “Getting drunk and sleeping with you was the best mistake I ever made,” Jo said by way of cheering him up. “Will you be my babies’ godfather?” He would love to, he replied. Let the Star Wars tutorials begin!

    ‘GUESS THIS IS ONE WAY TO GET OUT OF CHARTING’ | As the hour drew to a close, Owen admitted to Teddy that he had overreacted to her and Cass’ kiss. A code blue was called in Chloe’s room. The residents leapt into action, but despite their best efforts, she died. Somehow Link and Ben didn’t show up until the interns had been performing CPR for 40 minutes in the surgical ICU. Horrified, Jules didn’t want to give up performing CPR even after Chloe was pronounced dead. “Crush injuries on top of chemo was too much for her to handle,” Ben told Bailey, who was going to sleep at the hospital to watch over Yasuda. “You make something good happen,” Miranda told her husband. “I need something good to happen.” Meanwhile, Lucas was beating himself up because Mika had told him to take care of her sister. “She’ll understand,” Simone insisted. But he wasn’t too sure.

    Before bicycling away from the hospital, Levi (and we) saw his life there flash before his eyes. We’ll miss you, Schmitt. Just then, James came running up — he’d missed their rendezvous because he’d been in admin resigning from his job. “You still want me to go to Texas with you, right?” Aww, a happy ending… sorta. If Mika ever awakened, devastating news still awaited her. Days passed, then at last, Yasuda opened her eyes. “Welcome back,” said Bailey. “You’re gonna be OK.” Mika’s first word: “Chloe?” Miranda shook her head no and held Yasuda’s hand as she wept. OK, so not a happy-happy ending. But at least Mika survived!

    Jake Borelli Exit Interview: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star On How Levi Was Written Off, One Scene He Wished He Had, Levi’s Queer Legacy & Possible Return

    (11/14/24) Popular longtime Grey’s Anatomy cast member Jake Borelli bid farewell to the venerable medical drama in the Nov. 14 episode as his character, Levi Schmitt, left Grey Sloan for a peds research position in Texas, joined by his hot Chaplain boyfriend, James.

    In an interview with Deadline, Borelli recalled how he found out that his character’s time on the show was up after eight years. (Deadline broke the news of Borelli’s pending exit after a final Season 21 arc on his 33rd birthday in May.)

    While Levi only got to have two meaningful scenes with fellow doctors after he made his decision to take the Texas job in a relatively low-key Grey’s exit, Borelli didn’t mind as they were with Levi’s closest friends on-screen, Taryn Helm and Jo Wilson, played by two of Borelli’s closest friends off-screen, Jaicy Elliot and Camilla Luddington, respectively. Still, he shared that there was one character he wanted to see Levi break the news to.

    In the interview, Borelli discussed filming the emotional goodbyes with Elliot and Luddington and revealed the last scene he filmed as well as the significance of the fleeting encounter with the interns. He reacted to Grey’s adding “hot Chaplain” to the “hot Priest” and “hot Rabbi” TV lore and Levi’s happy ending with James.

    While Borelli had not seen the moving Levi montage from the episode when he spoke with Deadline (You can watch it below), he recalled one theme throughout Levi’s journey of Grey’s that stood out to him.

    He also spoke of his trepidations about being part of Season 15’s groundbreaking storyline of Levi and Nico’s romance, which prompted him to come out — revealing that it almost didn’t happen — and stressed how important highlighting Levi’s queerness on the show has been to him since.

    Addressing the fact that two queer characters, Levi and Mika, played by two queer actors, Borelli and Midori Francis, are leaving Grey’s at the same time in contrasting ways (Mika and her sister got in a car crash), Borelli also explained why, while he filmed his last episode as Levi weeks ago, he still is on the set of the show every day. He also referenced the “terrifying times” we live in again that may make it difficult for openly gay performers like him.

    DEADLINE: How did you find out that that Levi’s story would be coming to an end?

    BORELLI: Essentially, me and my team got a call from the showrunner [Meg Marinis], and she told us that this was the route that they were thinking about taking for Levi — to round out his growth and to give him a place to be outside of Grey Sloan, someplace that could see him for who he was, and for the audience, to be able to see him grow, finally, into the doctor we’ve all known he could be.

    DEADLINE: So you knew from the get-go that they were not going to kill Levi off and there was going to be a brighter future ahead for him?

    BORELLI: Look, I’m a fan of the show so I know, nothing is safe (laughs). So while I knew their intention wasn’t to kill him off, you get these scripts, I still scroll through them and I’m like, maybe they changed it, maybe they changed it. But, yeah, the intention was certainly laid out at the very beginning, and that was a good thing to know, too, because then I got to sit down with Meg and figure out what we wanted to say as we wrapped up this character and where we wanted this character to be. I certainly didn’t want him under a bus or anything like that, so I’m glad we moved to the way that we moved.

    DEADLINE: That final arc had a lot going on for Levi: he regained his self-confidence, got to be a hero with the helicopter rescue, got a dream job while fulfilling a dream of being an attending at Grey Sloan for a day, and got a great love story too. What was your reaction to cramming all of that growth that you mentioned in the final arc and giving Levi a happy ending?

    BORELLI: It was certainly important for me to see his growth wrapped up in his queerness, because I know when back in Season 15, when Krista Vernoff was the showrunner and she pitched me this idea of Levi coming out, her idea from the beginning had always been, his coming out will be the catalyst for him stepping into his own and stepping into himself.

    So throughout my part on the series, we really tried to track his growth and his confidence stemming from him finally stepping into his true self. And as he’s wrapping up his time for now at Grey Sloan, I really wanted that also to be wrapped up in his queerness. We finally see him in a relationship where their communication is good, where they truly do want to be with each other, even though they’re facing obstacles in terms of job and in terms of religion and in lots of different ways. So I think it’s perfectly paired to have him going after his dream career job while also going after his dream guy, I think it is really poetic, especially from where we started with Krista.

    DEADLINE: Like Levi’s entire final arc, its ending was condensed: he literally made the decision at the end of the day and the next day was his last at Grey Sloan. Were you hoping for a longer goodbye to be able to have more final scenes with more cast members?

    BORELLI: I certainly would have loved to have it stretched the whole season. I knew, in terms of the cast being so large and the storytelling that Meg wanted to do this season, it wasn’t going to span that long; we knew the time period that we had.

    But honestly, if I had everything, I would have loved there to be a couple scenes with him and his mom. I’d be so curious what his mom felt about him leaving the state because so much of his neurosis and his co-dependence stems from that relationship. But I think in the future, there might be some some moments to speak on that.

    We certainly had to cram it into these seven episodes, which I would have loved for it to be longer. I would have loved for it to keep going forever, but we’ll see. Time will tell.

    DEADLINE: We’ll talk about a potential return in a bit. Your final episode was surprisingly low-key. Levi got to save a baby but it was mostly him and Jo in the NICU. How did you approach that final episode and those scenes with Jo?

    BORELLI: Camilla Luddington is truly a dream scene partner; she’s been my partner since the beginning of this. We started with that fateful night where Levi and Jo slept together, that bonded me and Camilla from the beginning, and she really showed me how to navigate through the world of Grey’s.

    Eight years later, we’re playing best friends, and they’re honestly the most fun scenes that we have. They’re fun scenes for the writers to write too because it gives a little comic relief. So I’m glad that the last episode really focused on their relationship and them moving forward.

    You should have seen us at the table read. We were bawling, and we were right there with the characters. So honestly, it was not difficult to play these intense moments with Camilla, because that’s pretty much how we both felt in real life.

    DEADLINE: By bawling you mean crying, right?

    BORELLI: Oh, yeah, not laughing. I mean, there was certainly laughter, but it was a sad moment to be closing this friendship.

    DEADLINE: What was the very last scene that you shot?

    BORELLI: It was with Camilla and all the stuff in the NICU; we had the baby on the last day, we had all those surgeries in the NICU. My last moment was me giving that monologue to the baby, talking about, it’s time to leave the hospital, which was obviously a crazy thing to have to shoot for the last scene, but it was wonderful. And then I walked out, and the whole crew was there clapping, and I got to say goodbye to everyone. They made me a cake. It was nice.

    DEADLINE: There was a little bit of a passing of the baton situation, with Levi stopping by some of the interns, as they awaited word on Mika and her sister, to bring them coffee. It was 10 seconds with no dialogue but was it intentional?

    BORELLI: I think it was definitely intentional, because there certainly is a passing a baton. Grey’s is certainly known for that, for having new intern classes coming in and the old guard either turning into attendings or getting electrocuted or whatever. And there definitely was some of that. I think it was also a way to reconnect Levi and Jo to the storyline that’s going on with Midori and Mika, which is also a crazy, big moment. And so I think that they wanted some sort of connection there as well.

    DEADLINE: How do you feel about the contrast, this picture perfect ending for Levi while Mika got into a horrible car crash, and now her sister is dead. What do you think about the juxtaposition of the two exits?

    BORELLI: Gosh, there’s so many ways that characters have left the show, like so many ways characters have come back. I think both of these big things are catalysts for change in both of these characters’ lives. Certainly I would say Levi is having a happier exit but Mika is having this crazy, big Grey’s exit too, with this wonderful, crazy, horrible crash that audiences love to see. So honestly, I think it’s just a really great final two episodes to wrap up the first half of the season.

    DEADLINE: Have you talked to Midori about you both being on the same track, how you are approaching your characters’ arcs coming to an end?

    DEADLINE: Definitely, I’ve gotten super close with the interns over the last three years; we hang out all the time outside of work, we talk all the time. And I think it was an interesting moment for Midori and I, especially as two queer actors playing queer characters, which is massive for television in general, really big for Grey’s Anatomy. I think it was a tricky road to navigate, knowing that both of our characters were ending at the same time, and I’m glad that we had each other during that.

    DEADLINE: Speaking of queer characters, the first person Levi told about his decision besides his bosses was Taryn Helm at the end of the previous episode. It was a really emotional scene between friends and the last of their group of interns. How was it filming it?

    BORELLI: Jaicy is, literally, I can’t understate how much of my best friend she is. We’ve gone through so much together. We’ve lived right next to each other for years, we take care of each other’s families, we travel together. She’s my sister. So that was a really incredible scene for me to have with her: one, just because, on a personal level, it was her and I closing out this eight-year work relationship we’ve had, and this eight-year friendship that we’ve had.

    And similarly to the Jo storylines, it was written really close to how we were feeling in real life. I know that Levi, in that moment, was trying to be the strong one and trying to be the one saying, this is going to be okay and this is what I want. But in reality, it was like, at the table read, I couldn’t keep it together, and we had to stop a couple times because we could not make it through there.

    Filming it was more of a celebratory moment for her and I closing out this massive thing that we had been through and that we got to go through together. And I still see her every day, so that’s not going to change.

    DEADLINE: At the end of that sixth episode, Levi is dreading the most telling his boyfriend about his decision but the show actually skipped over that moment. In Episode 7, we pick up after Levi already had told him. How do you feel about not showing the conversation and, in your mind, how did Levi break the news to him? James clearly took it pretty well from what we saw after.

    BORELLI: In my opinion, the two of them, the reason why their relationship works is because they’re so good at communicating. It’s something that Levi and Nico never really had. So I would love to think that he told him, and then they tried to figure it out together. For me, that’s what the struggle and the drama for them was in the last episode, to know that they loved each other so much, but to know they’ve also only known each other for three weeks.

    Do they do this big leap for each other? Do they move across the country for one another? Do they go into a long distance relationship, which we all know is hard. That was the struggle that I thought was interesting because it’s a struggle that so many relationships have. So yeah, I think more than seeing the actual conversation on camera, we got to see them figure it out on camera and stumble through it a little bit, which I think was more important.

    DEADLINE: A quick side note. Have you through about parallels between the hot Chaplain on Grey’s and the hot Rabbi on Netflix’s Nobody Wants This; two interfaith romances that played out at the same time?

    BORELLI: I immediately went to hot Priest from the Phoebe Waller-Bridge show [Fleabag], that’s the one I went to. And I was like, this works for me. It was super fun to play.

    DEADLINE: The montage in your last episode (below) featured many highlights from Levi’s eight years at Grey Sloan. For you, what are some of the scenes and storylines that felt most impactful over the years?

    BORELLI: There has been a throughline with blood with Levi, we know this. He was nicknamed Blood Bank after being hooked up by Meredith Grey to one of the patients, and he actively had to give his blood throughout the surgery.

    That shows up again with the Golden Blood storyline, which is one of my favorites, where he’s trying to find this golden blood, there’s only seven donors in the entire world, and it ends up being this massive, 200-car pileup on the freeway.

    And then it jumps to realizing that queer people can’t donate blood, that gay men specifically can’t donate blood, which feels like such a hypocritical thing, knowing that he has a universal blood-donating type blood, he’s saved people’s lives, and here he’s now helpless because of this bigotry in the government and in the medical world.

    So that has been one massive storyline that I’ve loved be a throughline for him. There’s also been some moments, like even in Episode 4 of this season, where we see Levi finding out that his Chaplain had been married before, and just seeing him standing there almost naked in his tighty whities, full body out, was such a huge moment that I wanted to be in the script because seeing queer people in a private moment like that, accepting their bodies for how they are, was something that I really wanted to show. It was not in the script. So choices like that, little choices that I got to make outside of the scripts that highlighted his queerness, have been really important for me.

    DEADLINE: The Season 15 storyline, which has become part of Grey’s — and your –legacy because you came out at the same time. Was it scary for you at the time when it was pitched to you?

    BORELLI: Oh yeah, it was terrifying. I almost didn’t do it. I almost told Krista, I actually did tell Krista that I didn’t know if I wanted the character to come out, I didn’t know if I wanted to come out publicly like that, because I knew they would be hand in hand on a show this massive.

    She told me to take some time to think about it, and I did, I talked to my family about it and ultimately decided to do it. But I only wanted to do it if we were not going to be focusing on shame and not going to be focusing on the turmoils around coming out, but we wanted to make it a hopeful and empowering coming-out story. And that’s what we did for the last seven years. So yes, it was terrifying. I almost didn’t do that. I’m so glad that I did it.

    We’re sort of in terrifying times again, and so it’s going to be interesting being out so publicly, not on the show, but we’ll see. We’ll take it as it comes.

    DEADLINE: In your final scenes, Jo talked about Levi’s big heart. Everybody loved him. What would you miss the most playing him?

    BORELLI: I’m just going to miss knowing what he’s doing. For eight years, I got to pretty much weekly read more about this human that I love so much, and that is very close to me. We know he’s off in Texas, and I don’t know what he’s up to, and that’s kind of sad.

    DEADLINE: You mentioned earlier potentially coming back, and there was the reassuring for fans moment when Jo asked Levi to be the twins’ godfather and he agreed. Earlier this fall, I asked Meg about the two exits and she was clear that you and Midori will always be part of the Grey’s Anatomy family and as such, you could possibly come and go. Are you hopeful that Levi will come back?

    BORELLI: I’m very hopeful that Levi will come back. I think the audience is interested to see what Levi is up to, I certainly am. He has so many connections to people still at the hospital, like you said, Jo, so I couldn’t imagine the birth of those babies without Levi bending the world to get there.

    We’ll see what Meg does. I think we also have this wonderful opportunity to have him grow off camera, and then to have him come back at some point and really be this boss that we know he can be. We’ll see what’s in store for the future of the show.

    What’s kind of crazy is it feels like I haven’t left because I’m still on set right now. I’ve been shadowing Debbie Allen, our executive producer and director, for several years, and I’m still there. I’m shadowing Allison Liddi-Brown right now, our current director, so I still very much feel part of the world. These are relationships that I’ve cherished for so long and that I still have. I would love to hop back on camera, but maybe it’ll also be behind the scenes.

    DEADLINE: What is next for you beyond Grey’s. You mentioned that we may be living in scary times again; what are your plans?

    BORELLI: I hope to continue telling queer stories on platforms like Grey’s, if not Grey’s. I’m also very, very excited to start directing my own films. We’re in the process of doing that, me and a producing partner of mine are starting to develop one of her plays into a film.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Bids Farewell To Levi As Mika Faces Uncertainty & Tragedy

    (11/14/24) As ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy is approaching its fall finale, so are the tenures of cast members Jake Borelli, who has played Levi Schmitt since 2017, and Midori Francis, in her third season as Mika Yasuda. Their exits could not be more contrasting, with Levi leaving Seattle to pursue his dream career in pediatrics while Mika got into a horrible car accident with her sister. Here is how Grey’s Anatomy wrote off Levi in “If You Leave” and geared Mika’s story for conclusion, expected in the next episode.

    And just like that, merely hours after Levi chose a peds research position in Texas over Bailey’s Webber general surgeon attending offer, he was headed to his final day at Grey Sloan. His Chaplain boyfriend James was supportive in his initial reaction but seemed taken aback when Levi later floated the idea of James moving to Texas with him as the two had been grappling with the daunting prospects of a long-distance relationship.

    Levi spent most of his last day with his friend (and one-time one-night stand) Jo, first in the NICU and then in the hospital lobby. As the two teamed up to save one more baby together, they also had time to say a proper goodbye, something Levi couldn’t do with anyone else in his final episode.

    “I’m not dying, we are going to talk all the time,” Levi tried to reassure Jo who, overcome with emotion, told him, “You walk through life with this giant open heart. I want you in my kids’ lives.”

    She asked Levi to be the unborn twins’ godfather and he, with the caveat that he was unsure how that would work as he is Jewish, accepted.

    Initially stood up by James, Levi was ready to leave Grey Sloan one last time when James caught up with him and told him that he had just resigned and was moving to Texas with him, completing Levi’s happy ending.

    As Grey’s Anatimy does for most of its longtime cast members, Levi’s farewell was accompanied by a montage of some of his most memorable moments on the show, including the infamous grasses drop into a surgery patient’s abdomen.

    “You’ve come a long way,” Jo remarked.

    Meanwhile, Mika and her sister Chloe spent the episode fighting for their lives with the Grey Sloan doctors fighting to save them. Mika’s state was so dire, Bailey, Owen, Teddy and Ndugu had to take time out from the OR to figure out a strategy to stabilize her. They ultimately succeeded, with Bailey delivering the breakthrough. After hours of uncertainty over her fate post-op, Mika finally woke up in the final seconds of the episode only to find out that her sister didn’t make it, the news leaving her devastated.

    The impact of Mika’s accident and its aftermath on the other interns is already felt, with all of them worried sick and feeling helpless. Jules, who has been in a budding relationship with Mika, is also wracked by guilt as she was the reason Mika stayed for the night shift and went on to scrub in for surgery, rendering her so tired by the morning, she dozed off behind the wheel while taking Chloe home from the hospital. Lucas soon joined her on the guilt squad, tearing himself apart over not being able to keep his word to Mika when she asked him to take care of her sister as the two were being wheeled into the hospital.

    As Levi and James are on their way to Texas, leaving the door open to return for the birth of Jo and Link’s babies, Mika is left picking up the pieces in the next episode, her last — at least for now.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Starts Schmitt & Yasuda Goodbyes With Expected Career Move & Shocking Twist

    (11/9/24) (Video) Grey’s Anatomy has set up the upcoming exits of cast members Jake Borelli (Levi Schmitt) and Midori Francis (Mika Yasuda). And in a typical Grey‘s fashion, after slowly and methodically building the groundwork for Levi’s departure in the Mov. 7 Episode, “Night Moves,” the series threw in a shocking Yasuda surprise at the very end of the episode.

    After an unplanned extra night shift, Yasuda fell asleep at the wheel of her beloved van while taking her little sister home after her cancer surgery, resulting in a head-on collision. A promo for next week’s episode, titled “If You Leave,” shows that both survived the accident and are rushed to Grey Sloan where Yasuda starts coding. Her fellow interns try to console a despondent Jules who had just had a sweet hear-to-heart with Mika hours earlier.

    Grey’s Anatomy has a history of having main characters exit after being hot by a vehicle, most notably Derek Shepherd George O’Malley.

    Things appear pretty straight-forward for Levi, for whom the biggest remaining obstacle is how to tell his Chaplain boyfriend that he has accepted the peds research position in Texas, which had been mulling for quite awhile. In “Night Moves,” Bailey and Webber put up a fight with a competitive offer for an attending general surgeon position, and Levi got a trial run but in the end, he went with his heart which had been set on a career in pediatrics. Not surprising, a tearful Helm was the first to get the news, with the two sharing a hug.

    Grey’s Anatomy Teases Heartbreaking Exit for Midori Francis’ Mika

    (11/9/24) (Video) As reader Sam commented on TVLine’s recap of Thursday’s Grey’s Anatomy, it sure looks like “Yasuda is getting the O’Malley exit.”

    In the episode’s final moments, Midori Francis’ Mika was driving sister Chloe home from the hospital. But, since Yasuda was dead tired after working double time to make up for the break she took to care for her sibling, who has cancer, she dozed off at the wheel, and… crash!

    In the promo for the Thursday, Nov. 14, episode, things appear to go from bad to worse. As Mika’s fellow residents freak out — especially poor Jules, who so recently left the friend zone with Yasuda — the patient starts coding. In other words, Mika sure seems destined to follow in the toe-tagged footsteps of such ill-fated Grey’s Anatomy characters as George, Mark, Lexie and Derek.

    News that Francis would not be sticking around to finish a third season as Mika broke in May. But as Season 21 got underway, the show only made us love the character more as she fell into a new romance with pal Jules.

    Thursday’s episode also seemed to set up Jake Borelli’s exit after seven years as Levi. Schmitt informed bosses Richard and Bailey, as well as bestie Helm, that he’d accepted a peds research position in Texas. Per the logline for next week’s “If You Leave,” Levi asks new boo James a shocking question that could impact their future. Grey’s Anatomy wouldn’t write off Michael Thomas Grant as the hospital’s newly introduced chaplain so soon… would it?

    Sophia Bush Makes Grey’s Anatomy Debut — Who Did Dr. Cass Beckman Kiss?

    (11/7/24) Not only did primetime mainstay Sophia Bush make her Grey’s Anatomy debut in Thursday’s episode, but Simone dropped the “L” word on Lucas, and, under Bailey’s watchful eye, Schmitt spent his first night as an attending. How’d he fare? Read on…

    ‘NEXT TIME, I’LL IGNORE THE VOMITING KID TO FIND A CHARGER’ | As “Night Moves” began, Owen and Teddy, eating out ahead of their scheduled nookie, met up with Grey Sloan colleague David Beckman and his wife Cass (Bush), a Seattle Pres trauma surgeon. Immediately, Owen and David were called back to work, leaving their wives behind to enjoy dinner. Tensions were running high at Jo and Link’s, even more so once he had to make a U-ey to the hospital. Though Mika and Jules had agreed not to pursue a relationship just then, Millin kept scoring points with Chloe, if not Yasuda. (But let’s be real — her, too.) Monica congratulated Levi on getting a research position with a Dr. Wilkinson in Texas — which she hastened to add was not a guarantee of his then getting a peds fellowship. As Lucas stepped into the elevator, Simone said without thinking about what she was doing, “Love you.” Ack! And the doors closed before he could say it back — a point of great amusement for Blue. Aaand Winston took off to pick up a new lung for music teacher Mr. Reilly.

    Shortly, Levi was called in to Richard and Bailey’s offices, where they offered him an attending job with a healthy paycheck to compete with his Wilkinson option. “I’m not sure what to say,” he said. Maybe he should try out being an attending — that very evening, Bailey suggested, on her service. Taryn was green with envy. In the blink of an eye, her bestie had gotten a boyfriend and not one but two offers. “Whatever’s in this rig,” Bailey told Schmitt as ambulances started pulling in, “we are following your lead.” On tap were a goofy young couple named Joannie and Vaughan, the latter of whom had been… eesh. Impaled in the side as if he was a vampire that somebody with really bad aim had tried to stake through the heart.

    ‘EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER AFTER MILITARY RATIONS’ | Before Cass and Teddy had even ordered dinner, they decided to ditch the fancy restaurant and go for fries. In no time, Altman had admitted to her new friend that she and Owen were now scheduling sex, things were so fraught between them. Eh, no big, Cass replied. She and David had been through the same thing. What had saved their marriage was making it an open one — with rules, of course. Oh, and a hot tennis player. (That never hurts.) “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” Cass said, resting her hand on Teddy’s wrist… and then, oh hi, kissing her. “Me and Owen, it’s closed, very closed,” Teddy said before quickly excusing herself to go home.

    At Link and Jo’s, Amelia showed up to bail out an overwhelmed Wilson. Or, as Amelia put it, “I just want to take care of my sick kid”… right as Scout puked up on her. Little by little, Jo admitted that she was struggling. Who wouldn’t be? When Luna had woken up sick, she’d asked for her daycare teacher, not her mom. Luna wouldn’t remember any of that, Amelia assured her. But Jo couldn’t be consoled. If it was this hard now, what would it be like when she and Link had not one but two more?!? Later, Jo shared that she really wanted a big family for Luna but was aware that it would be hard at the beginning… and middle. Where is Link in all of this? Amelia asked. Jo confessed that they hadn’t been in a great place lately, at which point Amelia shared that, even when she was with him, she’d thought that he’d wanted to be with Jo.

    ‘LET’S NOT INVOKE VIOLENCE IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM’ | Soon, Link and Monica learned from Joanie that boyfriend Vaughan was an ace air guitarist. What he wasn’t great at was maintaining his blood pressure. Not to fear, Levi leapt into action to save him. In the O.R., Schmitt was large and in charge. Even at a crisis point, he rose to the occasion with a confidence that showed just how far he’d come from his days as “Glasses.” “Beats the hell out of research,” doesn’t it, Miranda pointed out. “I saved a man’s kidney,” Levi told James post-surgery. What’s more, he was starting to think that there was more for him in Seattle than Texas — including a certain nice guy. But then the little girl that he helped last week gave Levi a thank-you card, and he had to re-rethink everything.

    In other developments, Mika admitted to Jules that every time she tried to sleep, she saw worst-case scenarios play out for Chloe. Just then, Mr. Reilly’s pump failed and required manually cranking… for the next 12 hours. Yasuda would do it, she insisted, even as tired as she was. “I am singlehandedly keeping this guy alive. What’s better than that?” No sooner had the new pump arrived than Mr. Reilly started… convulsing? Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. He was about to code. Winston tried to give instructions over the phone, but he kept cutting out. Mika wouldn’t wait and risk Mr. Reilly’s life. Thankfully, her fast action stabilized the patient. To Jules’ credit, she gave Mika credit for what she’d done and got her a spot in the surgery Winston was then performing. Unfortunately, this meant that the would-be girlfriends had to take a rain check on the kissing that they were dying to do.

    ‘GO MAKE US PROUD’ | As the hour drew to a close, Winston and Mika transplanted a new lung into Mr. Reilly’s chest — successfully, it bears mentioning. (So… many… staples.) The following morning, Richard congratulated Levi on his heroism. “But my love is peds,” Schmitt told Webber and Bailey. “When I save a kid, I’m not just saving a life, I’m saving a lifetime.” That being the case, he accepted the research position in Texas. When Link got home, Jo told him that she knew this wasn’t what he wanted. “What if you leave me? Everyone else has. I don’t want to do this alone.” Link didn’t take it well and was upset that she’d lumped him in with all the losers who’d disappointed her. When Teddy disclosed to Owen that Cass had kissed her, he took it… oh, jeez. In the most Owen way possible. (Break up already!) Blue came thisclose to reaching out to his ex-fiancée. Simone reaffirmed to Lucas that she loved him. “You don’t have to say it back,” she assured him. Good news: He loved her, too. Levi shocked Helm s—tless by revealing that he’d taken the job in Texas. She hadn’t taken the residency at Grey Sloan to make friends and had wound up finding a bestie. “These are happy tears,” she insisted. “You’re following your dream… or whatever.” Good luck telling James. As Mika drove Chloe home from the hospital, the sleep-deprived resident dozed off and aw, crap! They were in an accident. Is Mika about to be the show’s latest casualty?!?

    Minnie Driver & Patrick Dempsey In Talks For ‘The Household Guide To Dying’, The Comeback Film Of Oz Director Emma-Kate Croghan

    (11/7/24) Minnie Driver (Good Will Hunting) and Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy) are in talks to star in Emma-Kate Croghan’s dramedy The Household Guide to Dying, based on the book by Debra Adelaide.

    The film marks Australian director Croghan’s return to features after a 25-year absence. The director first made waves in 1996 with debut Love And Other Catastrophes, which garnered five Australian Film Institute award nominations and was picked up by Fox Searchlight.

    She followed that up in 1999 with Strange Planet, starring Naomi Watts, but has only returned since then to direct a segment of music documentary I’m Only Looking: The Best of INXS back in 2004.

    Ellen Wander of Film Bridge International is selling The Household Guide to Dying at this week’s American Film Market in Las Vegas. CAA Media Finance and WME Independent are co-repping domestic.

    The plot reads: “Acerbic household influencer Delia Bennett decides to write ‘The Book’ on how to die well. When things don’t go according to plan, she is forced to consider that dying well is not as simple as laundry. Delia embarks on a road trip with her daughters to come to terms with her past and help her family face the future.”

    Pic is being produced by Leesa Kahn (Come Away) and Catriona Hughes (Kokoda: 39th Battalion) of GFN Productions, as well as James Spring (Finding Your Feet) of Fred Films.

    As for Croghan’s long absence from directing, she moved to LA after Strange Planet, ostensibly to work on an adaptation of Philip K Dick’s A Scanner Darkly with Charlie Kaufman writing and Jersey films producing, but the project didn’t take flight (Richard Linklater later directed a different version). She continued to write and develop film and TV projects for the next decade but then changed course, first trying her hand at teaching and then in 2011 selling up her family home to sail the world for a year.

    Driver is coming off Amazon-acquired sci-fi The Assessment and David Ayer action film The Beekeeper. Dempsey recently starred in Michael Mann’s Ferrari and Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving and is in production on anticipated Paramount series Dexter: Original Sin.

    Ratings: Georgie & Mandy, Matlock Lead Thursday in Viewers; Elsbeth Returns Bigger

    (10/18/24) In the latest TV show ratings, CBS‘ Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage premiere was first in viewers while also tying (Ghosts) for the nighty demo win.

    CBS | Georgie & Mandy debuted to 6.6 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating, down in viewers but steady in the demo vs. sire Young Sheldon‘s final season (7.3 mil/0.5). Ghosts returned to 5.6 mil and a 0.5, down a tick in audience from Season 3. Matlock (6.4 mil/0.4) slipped 17% in audience from its Sunday sneak preview but held steady in the demo. Elsbeth (4.8 mil/0.3) was up in audience vs. its Season 1 average.

    Facing full-on competition, including MLB playoff games and Thursday Night Football….

    ABC | 9-1-1 (4.2 mil/0.4) slipped to season lows. Doctor Odyssey (2.8 mil/0.3) and Grey’s Anatomy (2 mil/0.2) each hit season lows in audience and tied lows in the demo.

    NBC | Law & Order (3.1 mil/0.3) and Found (2 mil/0.2) each shed viewers, while SVU (3.2 mil/0.3) dipped in both measures.

    FOX | Hell’s Kitchen drew 1.5 mil/0.2, followed by Crime Scene Kitchen‘s 1.1 mil/0.2.

    THE CW | Scrabble racked up 320K/0.1, followed by Trivial Pursuit‘s 360K/0.1.

    Grey’s Recap: Sister’s Doing It for Her Health — Plus, Surprise, Jo and Link!

    (10/17/24) Every week, it seems that Grey’s Anatomy is making us miss Midori Francis and Jake Borelli more as their exits as Mika and Levi grow nearer. Thursday’s episode was no exception. While Schmitt grew a lot closer to cute chaplain James, Yasuda did everything in her power — and her colleagues’ power — to keep cancer from claiming the life of her kid sister, Chloe. Read on, and we’ll go over all the details.

    ‘YOU WANNA USE ONE OF OUR OTHER THREE BATHROOMS TO VOMIT?’ | As “This One’s for the Girls” began, Bailey prepped Ben for his first day back at work. But he wasn’t worried; after all, he’d been a resident before. Miranda insisted to the other interns that no, her husband wouldn’t be getting special treatment. Despite this, Blue immediately viewed Warren as competition. And perhaps rightly so: Owen suggested that Kwan could assist Ben. But it turned out that Blue actually knew more at this point than fourth-year “boss” Warren did.

    While that was going on, Bailey asked Simone to check on “things” in the pit and quietly report back. It wasn’t going great for Ben, who was lapped by Kwan at every turn. But Warren leapt into action when he saw that Judith, who had taken a fall on her recently lifted butt, had developed a soft tissue infection. And just when she was saying how empowered she’d felt after the cosmetic surgery, too! In the O.R., Owen favored Ben over Blue, but that gave Warren a chance to invite Kwan in. (This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.)

    ‘HER FUTURE SHOULD BE WIDE OPEN, NOT LIMITED BY AN AWFUL DISEASE’ | Upon Chloe’s arrival at Grey Sloan, Yasuda’s pals could immediately see why she was her sister’s “Mini Mika.” Shortly thereafter, Richard took on the unenviable task of telling the siblings that the younger woman’s cancer had likely advanced to stage 3B. As Webber explained the possible complications of treatment, Mika fidgeted as if on the verge of a panic attack. Later, Yasuda filled in Jules on the fact that her sister had to start treatment immediately — no time to protect her fertility. Millin tried to be comforting, but Mika was so stressed out that she just snapped at her.

    Off that upset, Mika was inspired by Richard to try to find a way to protect Chloe’s fertility — and, by extension, countless other female cancer patients’. Yasuda’s first move? Recruit Jo and her inventive brain. Good move. Soon, Wilson had thought of a procedure that had up to an 80 percent chance of allowing Chloe to get radiation and someday have children. Since Mika couldn’t scrub in, Jules sweetly did so for her; she wanted to make sure Chloe felt surrounded by people who cared. Mika, as you’d imagine, was deeply touched.

    ‘THE MILLENNIUM FALCON CAN GO FASTER THAN LIGHT!’ | Freshly back from France, Taryn immediately sensed the chemistry between Levi and James. It was also evident on a walk that the twosome took to get coffee, during which the chaplain explained that he’d only found his faith again because his parents had died. Before we knew it, the fellas’ coffee date had extended into lunch. Debating the merits of the Enterprise and the Millennium Falcon got Levi and James so hot that they ran back to the chaplain’s place to get busy. Post-sex, they agreed that they felt a strong connection. Cue the other shoe dropping in three, two…

    ‘THE PRETTIER PERSON ALWAYS GETS AHEAD’ | In other developments, Owen and Teddy mildly clashed over his insistence that he understood what her position as chief entailed. It was very different, she said, than the job that it was a decade ago when he’d done it. He later made the mistake of asking why a patient would get a butt lift. In response, Teddy schooled him on the way that the world treats women and downplays their talent in favor of their looks. Finally, Hunt challenged his wife to notice that since they had reclaimed their jobs, they’d stopped connecting. What was up with that? Meanwhile, treating Darren, a high-school band director recovering from pneumonia, Winston warned Simone that the patient wasn’t doing so hot. Like, beyond just recovering-from-pneumonia not so hot. Clearly, Darren’s chances of getting sprung that day as he hoped were slim to none.

    Needless to say, when the patient required observation the most, Simone was busy checking on Ben for Bailey. So Griffith was in some scaldingly hot water with Winston. Luckily, Miranda intervened on her behalf with Ndugu. (Not that that was gonna help Darren, who might never breathe on his own again.) Reluctantly, Bailey confessed to Winston that she’d wanted to keep an eye on Ben. Let him be his own person, Maggie’s ex advised — strongly. Anyway, it appeared that Warren still knew his way around a patient in need; he convinced Judith that, even without the lift, she still had “big butt energy.” He also reassured Bailey that they were going to be fine with her being his boss. In the hour’s final moments, Mika’s fellow residents revealed that they’d taken all her shifts for the next week so she could spend time with Chloe. Levi discovered a wedding album — James had been married. Or was he still? And as Link performed an ultrasound on Jo, the parents-to-be learned that they were having twins!

    Sophia Bush Joins ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as a Spicy New Surgeon

    (10/16/24) One Tree Hill and Chicago P.D. alumna Sophia Bush has been tapped for a major recurring role on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy. This marks the highest profile new cast addition to the venerable medical drama’s 21st season so far.

    First appearing in episode 2106, which airs Nov. 7, Bush will play Dr. Cass Beckman, an amiable, fun and a little messy around the edges trauma surgeon at Seattle Presbyterian whose husband David Beckman is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Grey Sloan. (It is unclear whether David, who is believed to be a minor character, has been cast.)

    Bush has medical drama experience — she played the title role, a heart surgeon, in the CBS 2022 series Good Sam, which she also executive produced.

    Returning recurring Grey’s Anatomy cast members include Scott Speedman, Natalie Morales and the series’ director/executive producer Debbie Allen.

    Bush and fellow One Tree Hill original star Hilarie Burton Morgan are set to executive produce and reprise their roles as Brooke Davis and Peyton Sawyer, respectively, in an OTH sequel series, which is in development at Netflix. The duo, along with Bethany Joy Lenz, also host the One Tree Hill rewatch podcast Drama Queens.

    Additionally, Bush hosts her podcast, Work in Progress. She recently starred in Bryan Greenberg’s directorial debut, Junction. Bush is repped by CAA and Entertainment 360.

    ‘Hacks,’ ‘Abbott Elementary,’ ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Among 2024 Sentinel Award Winners

    (10/16/24) The 2024 Sentinel Awards has unveiled its winners ahead of next week’s ceremony, when awards will be handed out at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills to honor TV series including Grey’s Anatomy, The Morning Show, Abbott Elementary and Hacks.

    Presented by Hollywood, Health & Society at the USC Annenberg Norman Lear Center, the Sentinel Awards recognize writers for meaningful and accurate portrayals onscreen on such timely topics as abortion, systemic racism, climate change and mental health. Laraine Newman is set to host the upcoming October 24 ceremony.

    HH&S has presented the Sentinel Awards for nearly 25 years, aiming to recognize some of the past year’s best TV that “responsibly informs audiences on critical topics.”

    “Television has the power to affect audiences’ perceptions and influence how they view and engage with the world. While entertainment is vital, it should never compromise accuracy, especially when addressing important topics — a hallmark of Norman Lear’s legacy, Kate Folb, program director for Hollywood, Health & Society said in a statement. “Thoughtful and responsible storytelling can educate, inspire and drive meaningful conversations, something critical to the evolution of our society.”

    Below is the full list of winners:

    The Culture of Health:
    Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Body of work for 20 Seasons — Shonda Rhimes (Creator, Executive Producer), Meg Marinis (Executive Producer/Showrunner, Writer)

    Depiction of Abortion:
    The Morning Show (Apple TV+), “The Kármán Line” – Charlotte Stoudt (Executive Producer/Showrunner, Writer)

    Depiction of Addiction:
    Lopez vs Lopez (NBC), “Lopez vs Sobriety” & “Lopez vs George” – Debby Wolfe (Creator, Executive Producer/Showrunner, Writer), George Lopez (Creator, Executive Producer), Mayan Lopez (Creator, Producer), Dan Signer (Writer)

    Depiction of Caregiving:
    Expats (Prime Video), “Central” – Lulu Wang (Creator, Showrunner, Director, Writer)

    Depiction of End of Life:
    Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX), “Beautiful Babe” – Jon Robin Baitz (Executive Producer, Writer, Developed by)

    Depiction of Mental Health:
    Gen V (Prime Video), “#ThinkBrink” – Michele Fazekas(Executive Producer/ Showrunner), Erica Rosbe (Executive Producer, Writer)

    Depiction of Smoking and Vaping:
    Abbott Elementary (ABC), “Smoking” – Quinta Brunson(Creator, Executive Producer/Showrunner), Jordan Temple (Co-Executive Producer, Writer)

    Depiction of Racism:
    The Big Cigar (Apple TV+), “Panther/Producer” – Jim Hecht(Executive Producer, Writer, Developed By), Janine Sherman Barrois (Executive Producer/Showrunner)

    Depiction of Racism in Healthcare:
    Dark Winds (AMC), Multi-episode Storyline – Graham Roland (Creator, Executive Producer, Writer), John Wirth (Executive Producer/Showrunner, Writer)

    Depiction of Climate Consciousness:
    Hacks (Max), “One Day” – Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs and Jen Statsky (Creators, Executive Producers, Showrunners), Carol Leifer (Co-executive Producer, Writer), Carolyn Lipka (Writer)

    Depiction of Economic Disparity
    The Simpsons (Fox), “Night of the Living Wage” – Matt Selman (Executive Producer/Showrunner), Cesar Mazariegos (Writer, Supervising Producer)

    Mistletoe Murders Promo: Sarah Drew and Peter Mooney Investigate a Hallmark+ Christmas Mystery

    (10/15/24) (Video) This holiday season, Sarah Drew is uncovering the dark underbelly of a seemingly perfect little town in TVLine’s exclusive promo for the Hallmark+ series Mistletoe Murders. But the biggest secret in the six-episode mystery drama, starring the Grey’s Anatomy vet and Peter Mooney (Burden of Truth, Rookie Blue), may be what Drew’s character is hiding.

    Based on the Audible series of the same name (voiced by Cobie Smulders and Raymond Ablack), Mistletoe Murders premieres Thursday, Oct. 31, exclusively on Hallmark’s streaming service. It follows Emily Lane (Drew), “the outwardly friendly, and optimistic shop owner of a charming year-round Christmas-themed store, Under the Mistletoe,” reads the official synopsis. “However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss…because Emily has a big secret.

    “Residing in the quaint tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, Emily finds herself compelled to investigate not-so-quaint local murders,” the description continues. “And when Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Sam Wilner (Mooney), a smart local cop – with a crush on Emily that is not completely unrequited – begins to wonder if there’s more to Emily than meets the eye.”

    The cast also includes newcomer Sierra Marilyn Riley as Sam’s teenaged daughter, Jean Yoon (Kim’s Convenience), Lara Amersey (Operation Nutcracker) and Kylee Evans (Good Witch). Additionally, David Hewlett (See) recurs, while Tom Cavanagh (The Flash), Jake Epstein (Suits) and Steven Lund (Schitt’s Creek) appear in guest-star roles.

    Former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Writer Elisabeth Finch Posts Apology In Response To Peacock Doc About Her: “I’m Sorry Feels Like The Smallest Words Compared To What I’ve Done”

    (10/15/24) Former Grey’s Anatomy scribe Elisabeth Finch has posted an apology in response to today’s premiere of Anatomy of Lives, a Peacock docuseries about her “rise and fall” on the ABC series.

    The streamer said the series features some of Finch’s “closest contacts, many speaking for the first time.” It used a Vanity Fair article as source material that chronicled Finch’s lies while writing for the Shonda Rhimes series.

    In a lengthy Instagram post, Finch wrote today that “I lied about so much; things so many people have been devastated by in real life. I’m sorry feels like the smallest words compared to what I’ve done, yet they are the truest. I trapped myself in the addition of lies, betraying and traumatizing my closest family, friends and colleagues. I’m making amends and expressing my genuine remorse as best I can when people are ready.”

    Finch, who is best known for penning “Silent All These Years,” a 2019 episode about a rape victim that also featured Finch in a non-speaking role as a nurse, left Grey‘s in 2022 after revelations about her behavior behind the scenes became public. Among the allegations were how she lied about her medical history, like how she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, how she lost a kidney and part of her leg but was then misdiagnosed and how she had endured verbal and sexual abuse by a male director while writing for The Vampire Diaries.

    In a 2022 interview, Finch admitted: “I know it’s absolutely wrong what I did. I lied and there’s no excuse for it. But there’s context for it. The best way I can explain it is when you experience a level of trauma a lot of people adopt a maladaptive coping mechanism. Some people drink to hide or forget things. Drug addicts try to alter their reality. Some people cut. I lied. That was my coping and my way to feel safe and seen and heard.”

    Anatomy of Lies is directed and executive produced by Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall. It is produced by Vanity Fair Studios and Dorothy St. Vicki Cooper, Melanie Archer and Julia Nottingham of Dorothy St. Pictures; Helen Estabrook, Sarah Amos, Claire Howorth and Samantha Smith of Vanity Fair Studios serve as the executive producers.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Alum Sarah Drew Recalls Her Firing “Felt Mean And Unjust”

    (10/15/24) Sarah Drew is reflecting on the time she was let go from Grey’s Anatomy after being on the show for nine seasons.

    Drew played Dr. April Kepner and exited the ABC drama series after Season 14 when her option was not picked up alongside Jessica Capshaw.

    During an appearance on the Call It What It Is podcast, co-hosted by Drew’s former co-stars Capshaw and Camilla Luddington, Drew explained how she felt about leaving the show.

    “[I] was unceremoniously let go in a way that felt mean and unjust, and because of that, the outpouring of love was so enormous it was like you were sitting there watching people [eulogize you],” Drew said.

    She gave an interview to Vulture following her exit in 2018, in which she likened getting cut from the show to “attending [my] own funeral.”

    After Deadline broke the news that Drew and Capshaw were exiting the medical drama, Drew took to social media to address her fans.

    “I know you’re sad. I’m sad too,” Drew wrote on the X, formerly known as Twitter. “I haven’t really had the time to process this information. I’ve been with it for less than 48 hours, so I’m not ready to say my thank yous and give an all encompassing statement about my 9 years here.”

    Drew since has returned to Grey’s Anatomy to reprise her role of April and says that coming back was “freeing,” adding, “I have no attachment to [the show] at all. … I had zero anxiety [going back because] I don’t need anything from anyone on that set anymore. They’re not responsible for my livelihood anymore. They’re not responsible for my success or my joy… I’m like, ‘Hey! This is a fun spot to come visit.’”

    During the same interview, Drew revealed that her character originally was supposed to have a one-night stand with Eric Dane’s Mark Sloan.

    “Before they made my character love Jesus and a virgin, there’s a scene where Sloan and Reed [Nora Zehetner] have sex, a random one-night stand. That was supposed to be me originally. It was supposed to be April,” Drew recalled. “April was supposed to have some random one-off with Sloan, and it was in the original production draft [of the script], and then they changed it. I didn’t have anything to do with it, but then they changed their mind.”

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Sarah Drew Reveals the Surprising April & Mark Storyline That Got Nixed

    (10/15/24) Sarah Drew reunited with her former Grey’s Anatomy costars Jessica Capshaw and Camilla Luddington to discuss the soapy medical drama. Drew played the beloved Dr. April Kepner for nearly a decade and became one-half of the Grey’s Anatomy supercouple Jackson (Jesse Williams) and April.

    Drew was asked who would have been the worst love interest for April on the show, and the actress didn’t hesitate to say Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), aka McSteamy. However, she revealed that an April and Sloan storyline almost happened.

    “On Season 7, before they made my character love Jesus and [become] a virgin, there’s a scene where Sloan and Reed have sex, a random one-night stand,” Drew explained on iHeartRadio’s Call It What It Is podcast. “That was supposed to be me originally. It was supposed to be April. April was supposed to have some random one-off with Sloan. And it was in the original production draft, and then they changed it. I didn’t have anything to do with it. But they changed her mind.”

    Capshaw and Luddington were stunned by the April and Sloan storyline reveal. Capshaw stated that April and Sloan hooking up would have completely changed April’s trajectory on the show.

    As Japril fans are well aware, April and Jackson’s romantic relationship didn’t start until Season 8 when April has sex for the first time with Jackson. Their characters had a whirlwind romance — remember when Jackson interrupted April’s wedding and they ran away together? — and faced a massive tragedy with the death of their baby son.

    These two have never been able to quit each other. Despite not being together, Jackson and April welcomed their daughter, Harriet, in the Season 12 finale. April married Matthew (Justin Bruening) but they divorced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to April and Jackson reuniting and moving to Boston.

    Grey’s Anatomy could have looked very different if the original plan for Drew had worked out. Drew revealed on the podcast that she was only supposed to be on for a two-episode arc. She was actually originally offered the role of the woman George (T.R. Knight) saved when he got hit by the bus and later died. She couldn’t play the role — which went to Shannon Lucio — due to a scheduling conflict. Thankfully, everything worked out and we got April Kepner!

    Justin Chambers Explodes With Rage in Accused Sneak Peek — Plus, His Latest Prognosis for a Grey’s Return

    (10/14/24) (Video) Justin Chambers‘ Tyler would like to have a (pretty harsh!) word with Taylor Schilling’s April in TVLine’s exclusive sneak peek from this week’s episode of Fox‘s Accused crime anthology.

    In “Taylor’s Story” (airing Tuesday at 9/8c), former Orange Is the New Black inmate Schilling stars as the titular nurse, who is put on trial following an incident of intense road rage.

    Chambers in turn co-stars as Tyler, “a regular at the same local coffee shop” that April frequents, the Grey’s Anatomy alum tells TVLine. “They’re not friends, just familiar faces who recognize each other from their daily coffee runs.”

    As hinted by the sneak peek above, “April’s Story” aims to show “how a moment of road rage can escalate into something truly terrible, reminding us how easily anger can take control,” Chambers previews.

    As with every Accused case, the episode should spark conversation among those who watch it — in this case, “Can people agree to disagree without resorting to violence or harsh words?” says Chambers. “Anger only ends up destroying itself, and sometimes that can escalate into situations like Tyler’s.”

    An original Grey’s Anatomy cast member, Chambers wrapped his 16-season run more than four-and-a-half years ago, when his Dr. Alex Karev left Seattle to reunite with ex-wife Izzie and settle down with their two children, who he’d only recently learned existed.

    Having played Marlon Brando (in The Offer, Paramount’s making-of-The Godfather miniseries) and other roles since putting Grey Sloane Memorial in his rear view mirror, Chambers’ prognosis for any imminent encore is pretty firm.

    “That chapter is closed for now,” Chambers tells TVLine, while heralding his Grey’s Anatomy run as “one of the most incredible experiences of my life.”

    “Thank you forever, Shonda Rhimes,” he added.

    “But getting the opportunity to play characters like Marlon Brando in The Offer and Tyler in The Accused, both completely different from Alex, is why I’m excited to embrace new roles from talented writers and storytellers,” he explained.

    So, in what specific ways is The Accused‘s Tyler different from Grey’s doc Alex…? Other than that explosive, hair-trigger temper evidenced above.

    “Tyler prefers briefs,” Chambers quips, “while Alex opts for boxers.”

    Grey’s Anatomy Boss Teases a ‘New’ Ben Warren — and a Potential Work/Wife Imbalance

    (10/11/24) Grey’s Anatomy fans may be cheering the return of Jason George as Ben Warren after he spent seven seasons on spinoff Station 19. But the doctor that they get back may not exactly be the doctor that they remember.

    Though historically Bailey’s better half has had a habit of going rogue and landing himself in hot water, “he’s had seven years with the Seattle fire department, where there are a lot of protocols and rules, just like a hospital,” showrunner Meg Marinis reminds TVLine. “He’s had more experience.”

    True. But even on Station 19, Ben never met a rule that he didn’t want to bend or a protocol that he didn’t want to break. Marinis can’t help but agree. At the end of the day, she admits, “it’s Ben Warren,” she laughs, “so… ”

    Yeah, we know.

    Despite the fact that in Thursday’s episode, Ben was rehired by another returnee — Kali Rocha’s Sydney Heron — it wouldn’t be her to whom he’d be reporting. By the end of “I Can See Clearly Now,” the surgical residency program was taken over once again by his wife, who’d been canned by Catherine in the wake of her siding with the interns to save Lucas’ job in Season 20’s finale. So this time around, “the difference is that [Miranda is] the residency director,” Marinis says. “So you’ll have that dynamic” for the marrieds to work out.

    Grey’s Recap: Ben There, Done That — Plus, [Spoiler]’s Secret Ages Like Milk

    (10/11/24) In Thursday’s Grey’s Anatomy, retired firefighter Ben sought to return to Grey Sloan and pick up his surgical residency where he left off. But, given that Sydney is now in charge of the program, not Ben’s wife Bailey, things didn’t go quite according to plan. Did he manage to get in? Read on, and we’ll discuss not only that, but the opportunity that knocks on Amelia’s door, Simone and Lucas’ stab at achieving work/love balance and more.

    ‘WHEN YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO DO SOMETHING JUST THE TWO OF US, I EXPECTED SOMETHING ELSE’ | As “I Can See Clearly Now” began, Link challenged Jo on her decision to keep her pregnancy a secret from their colleagues at Grey Sloan; if he was pregnant, he’d want Carina on the case! Teddy offered Amelia the chance to help Ms. Fletcher, a patient who was 20 weeks pregnant but didn’t want to terminate in order to have a life-threatening tumor removed; the kid was going to her brother and his husband. Simone was miffed that Nick had requested Lucas, not her, on the kidney transplant for which she’d prepared beyond thoroughly. And Mer floundered when Richard wondered what she was doing at Grey Sloan. Immediately after that exchange, she told Catherine that she wished Dr. Fox had told her husband that she was getting biopsied. Oh, hush, the boss said. “The only enemy in here,” Bailey pointed out, “is cancer.”

    Nick’s reluctance notwithstanding — he knew that Richard didn’t want to pick up a scalpel — he invited Webber to join him on the kind of kidney transplant that had only been done once before: the awake kind. For “reasons,” Richard not only agreed, he brought in Simone on the case — right after she’d poked Lucas about being the Shepherd who’d been asked to scrub in first. (Cue the issues… ) Maybe they’d all just been excited because the patient was Jack McBrayer from 30 Rock. At any rate, things went mostly but not entirely according to plan. “Are you whispering?” asked the patient, panicking. Whew — the docs found the pad that had gone missing. Underfoot, no less!

    ‘I’M MORE A DANCE WITH THE ONE WHO BRUNG YA TYPE’ | In his meeting with Sydney, Ben found that his commitment came into question. “I’m not sure you have what it takes,” she said. He made a passionate case for himself, but in the end huffed that if Grey Sloan didn’t want him back, that was fine with him. Though Catherine’s biopsy was supposed to be a simple procedure, it didn’t turn out to be one. She started hemorrhaging; there was a chance that she could go into liver failure and never wake up. They needed to fill in Richard, Meredith told Bailey. Unfortunately, at that very moment, Webber was elbows deep in surgery with Nick. Thankfully, Marsh insisted that Catherine’s husband scrub out. Needless to say, he was horrified to discover what his wife was going through — and that he’d been kept out of the loop.

    Upon coming to, Catherine understood why Mer and Bailey had told Richard what was going on. “You are a big part of what makes this hospital great,” Dr. Fox added, rehiring Miranda. “Don’t make me say it twice.” Off his interview from hell, Ben approached Richard for a pep talk — to give one, to be clear, not to receive one. “Was there a point to that story?” Webber asked. “Not really,” Ben replied. Well, he tried, anyway. Richard wasn’t nearly so nice with Mer. “I think Catherine was scared,” she told him. “And that’s exactly why you should’ve told me,” he barked back. “Shame on you!”

    ‘CHEST COMPRESSIONS ON AN OCTOGENIARIAN WITH BONES LIKE TOOTHPICKS… IT COULD KILL HER’ | Despite the fact that Ms. Fletcher was willing to roll the dice, even her brother wanted her to end her/their pregnancy to ensure her own well-being. Finally, knowing that the patient wasn’t about to back down after all of their efforts to make her her brother’s surrogate, Amelia scrubbed in with Teddy, Jo and Mika. When troubles arose, Yasuda passionately advocated on behalf of taking a moment and remembering that the patient on the table was someone’s daughter, someone’s sister… a person. “I’ll show myself out,” she added after her outburst had bought enough time for Ms. Fletcher to bounce back and pull through.

    In other developments, Blue was delighted to be working with Owen; anything to distract him from his memories of amnesiac fiancée Molly. Besides that, Kwan was interested in specializing in trauma. Levi, Winston and Jules struggled with a patient named Donna who didn’t have an advance directive — and didn’t want one, thank you very much. Desperate, Schmitt decided to call in reinforcements: James. “I refuse to die before my bastard ex-husband,” Donna told him. What’s the opposite of progress? At last, being informed that her ex had croaked inspired Donna to tearfully sign her DNR.

    ‘YOUR OUTBURST WAS INAPPROPRIATE, BUT YOU WEREN’T WRONG’ | As the hour drew to a close, Nick suggested to Lucas that repeating his intern year wasn’t a punishment — it could make him as good as Simone. Teddy revealed that a number of other impossible cases were petitioning to get Amelia to see them. Freshly canned, Sydney informed Bailey that she had hired Ben. She figured that Miranda didn’t need whispers of nepotism following her around. “By the way,” Dr. Heron added, “I promised the interns a retreat.” Jo revealed to Link that, off the events of the day, she’d changed her mind about going elsewhere for care during her pregnancy. Levi and James bonded big time — sparks galore. And, sadly, Mika revealed to Jules that her little sister had been diagnosed with cancer. “As great as whatever this thing between us was beginning to be,” Yasuda added, “I don’t think I can start anything new right now.” Damn it!

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts Julia Rose As One Of Mika Yasuda’s Sisters: First-Look Photo

    (10/11/24) (Photo) We will get to know a little more about Mika Yasuda’s (Midori Francis) personal life before she leaves Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Julia Rose (Baskets) has been cast in a recurring role as Mika’s sister, Chloe Yasuda. She will be introduced in Episode 2104 and will appear in four episodes.

    Witty with a great sense of humor, Chloe Yasuda (Rose), who has been admitted to Grey Sloan as a patient, is a harried honor student and VP of student activities who also runs varsity cross-country at her college. You can see above and below exclusive first-look images of Chloe’s reunion with her sister and introduction to the rest of the interns.

    Chloe is the first Yasuda family member to be introduced on Grey’s Anatomy. She is one of eight siblings and seven sisters Mika has revealed she has.

    As Deadline reported in May, Francis is one of two Grey’s Anatomy series regulars, along with Jake Borelli (Levi), who will be leaving after their characters’ arc are brought to an end this season. Mika is currently in a good place professionally and personally, with her internship going well and her budding relationship with fellow surgical intern Jules Millin progressing.

    In Episode 2104, Mika will struggle with a life-altering personal matter. Meanwhile, Bailey and Ben will be navigate their personal and professional roles, while Levi will find a connection in an unlikely place. Jo and Link will get surprising news.

    Rose recurred as Crystal Baskets alongside Zach Galifianakis on the FX comedy series Baskets. She also has done several short films, including We Belong Here.

    Sasha Pieterse & Mitchell Slaggert To Lead New Lifetime Holiday Film From Sarah Drew

    (10/8/24) Sasha Pieterse (Pretty Little Liars) and Mitchell Slaggert (The Sex Lives of College Girls) are set to lead the new Lifetime holiday film A Carpenter Christmas Romance from writer and executive producer Sarah Drew.

    Drew also penned A Cowboy Christmas Romance which made hearts race with a steamy love scene and became Lifetime’s highest-rated holiday title last year. The network noted that Drew will continue to infuse the holiday steaminess in A Carpenter Christmas Romance, which follows bestselling author Andrea (Pieterse) who is reunited with her sexy ex-crush Seth (Slaggert), who is working as a carpenter.

    “After the success of A Cowboy Christmas Romance, it solidified that there is an audience hungry for spicy Christmas romance movies,” Drew said in a statement. “Working with Autumn Federici and Jake Helgren at The Ninth House was as dreamy this time, as it was last time. I’m thrilled that Lifetime is supporting us in bringing a little more naughty into the nice this holiday season. I can’t wait for you all to see Sasha Pieterse and Mitchell Slaggert absolutely sizzle and shine on screen together. I could not have imagined a more perfect duo as the leads.”

    In the movie, when Andrea hints her upcoming book may be taking a heartbreaking turn, her fans begin protesting, demanding their favorite character doesn’t get killed off. Needing a haven where she can finish the novel, Andrea flees to her family’s farmhouse in the town of Wildwood. Much to her surprise, she ends up running into her ex-crush Seth, an artisanal woodworker who’s helping rebuild the town after it was nearly destroyed by a fire. It doesn’t take long for sawdust and sparks of romance to fill the air once the two team up and work together to reignite the town’s Christmas spirit. Is this romance just a holiday fling that ends when her trip is over, or can the two build a love that is made to last?

    A Carpenter Christmas Romance is produced by Federici and Helgren for The Ninth House in association with Apex Content Ventures. Drew executive produces with Eric Levin, Allie Dvorin and John Turner for Apex. Helgren will direct.

    Lifetime’s holiday movie slate also includes The Holiday Junkie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, A Very Merry Beauty Salon starring Tia Mowry, and Christmas in the Spotlight starring Jessica Lord, Laith Wallschleger, Jennie Mai and Haley Kalil.

    Justin Chambers guests on all-new episode of Accused

    (10/4/24) A nurse (Schilling)– who let her anger get the best of her – is put on trial after an incident of intense road rage in the all-new “April’s Story” episode of Accused airing Tuesday, October 15 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. (ACU-201) (TV-14 L, V)

    Guest Cast: Taylor Schilling as “April Harris,” Justin Chambers as “Tyler,” Danny Pino as “Jake Harris,” Luca Thunberg as “Wyatt Harris,” Carolyn Scott as “Candace.”

    Grey’s Anatomy Recap: Tumor Has It — Plus, What’s Got Richard So Teed Off?

    (10/3/24) Although Thursday’s Grey’s Anatomy was titled “Take Me to Church,” it was looking more and more like Catherine didn’t have a prayer of surviving Season 21. Would Meredith find a miracle up her lab-coat sleeve? Read on, and we’ll discuss not only how she handles Grey Sloan’s most contentious patient but how Owen and Teddy navigate their returns to work, how Bailey fares in attempting to get her job back and how Richard takes a swing at R&R.

    ‘I KNOW WE’VE HAD OUR DIFFERENCES, BUT… ’ | As the episode began, Lucas and Simone were still getting busy — and annoying Mika in the process! — and Molly was sleeping in Blue’s bed. (He was on the couch.) The morning after, the amnesiac tagged along with her ex-fiancé to Grey Sloan in hopes of getting him to tell her about their past. When Teddy, Owen and Amelia reported back to work, the rude awakenings began. First Amelia learned that her lab was no longer her lab. Then Teddy found out from Richard that she was no longer chief; she was basically on probation as a surgeon till she proved that she could do the job without thievery or rule-breaking. Though Bailey was waiting in Catherine’s office to ask to reclaim her post as residency director, the boss lady blew her off to discuss her hush-hush condition with Meredith.

    Later, unaware of whose scans she was seeing, Amelia eyeballed Catherine’s and immediately clocked all the tumors on her liver. “So this is it,” Catherine sighed to Mer. “This is how I die.” Despite her certainty that her days were numbered, Dr. Fox refused to fill in Richard and have him panic 24/7 for whatever amount of time she had left. Determined to save her frenemy, Mer approached Bailey for a consult and, always having been a terrible secret-keeper, disclosed the identity of the patient. Bailey advised Catherine that her tumors might well be benign, so they should do a biopsy, stat. Catherine was mid-protest when she received a text from Richard saying that he’d swing by her office soon. Suddenly, she wanted to get moving. Hiding out at Joe’s, Catherine told Mer and Bailey that she didn’t know whether her body had enough fight left for the battle that it was facing. Again, she had to be urged to get the biopsy and finally relented.

    ‘THIS IS GONNA SOUND WEIRD, BUT I FEEL LIKE A MOVIE STAR’ | Knowing that he wasn’t getting the peds fellowship, Levi took a stab at professional detachment. But that was going to be tricky to pull off as he and Monica treated a boy named Cal with a genetic disorder that predisposed him to cancer. Schmitt also clashed with the hospital’s new chaplain, James (Michael Thomas Grant), who wasn’t nearly as reluctant as the co-chief resident to discuss death with the patient. (The reverend was even willing to give the boy a casket catalog.) Their conflict escalated further as Levi demonstrated his God complex in doing his job. “Screw your job,” James suggested. “Be a person.” After Monica and Amelia successfully performed surgery on Cal, he… started shaking and coding. His prognosis was as grim as could be. He had weeks to live, months at best, Levi had to tell Cal and his father. But “we can cram a lot into a few months,” Schmitt said. Then, taking a page from James’ book, he invited Cal to make a list of the things he wanted to do before he died. At the end of the hour, Levi admitted to James, “I thought that if I walled off the pain, it wouldn’t hurt, but I was wrong.”

    When Nora, an old friend of Owen and Megan’s (played by Floriana Lima), was wheeled into the hospital, the busy mom wound up kind of enjoying the break from her hectic day-to-day. But that was before she started throwing up blood — never a good sign, that. Desperately, Teddy tried to find someone to operate with her on Nora’s esophagus, and what were the odds? Owen volunteered. Thankfully, Nora pulled through the surgery and shared what seemed like a telling memory of Owen’s dad. (It wasn’t just me, right? That felt like… something.)

    IN OTHER DEVELOPMENTS… | Eventually, Molly wore down Blue, who recalled for her the night they met at a Halloween party. Why’d they break up? “It was complicated,” he said just before they were interrupted. When she later pressed the issue, he explained that he had cheated on her. “A stupid, drunk mistake that I have regretted every day since.” Off the ensuing fight that they’d had, she’d gotten in the car wreck that had erased her memory. She wasn’t angry, though. “I got to start over,” she said. Later, she admitted that she could see why she had liked him, right down to his sparkly eyes. “I wish I remembered you,” she said, and just like that, Blue planted a kiss on her. Awkward. But the door seemed to be left open for them to stay in contact… or get back in touch. (Let’s hope; they were sweet together.)

    Off their kiss in the season premiere, Jules and Mika kept right on kissing — and were spotted by Amelia. Winston invited Lucas to join him and Richard in the skills lab… which quickly turned into a day on the golf course. Potentially a very valuable day for Adams: Webber recommended a friend of his Uncle Derek’s who might be willing to help with his remediation. For his part, Winston seized the opportunity to point out to his former father-in-law that his focus on the links suggested that he was also still sharp in the O.R. At day’s end, Teddy told Richard she wanted to be chief again, and he was like, “OK. Whatevs.” Immediately, she was recruited by Mer and Bailey to perform Catherine’s biopsy. After Sydney made fun of Lucas for thinking he’d gone golfing with his higher-ups because he was such a good doctor, not because he was so well-connected, he changed his mind about trying to get out of redoing the past year.

    Don Cheadle, Debbie Allen And Sheryl Lee Ralph Among Co-Chairs Of Black Hollywood And Friends Fundraiser For Kamala Harris

    (10/3/24) Hollywood fundraising continues this weekend for Kamala Harris, as Debbie Allen, Don Cheadle and Sheryl Lee Ralph are among the co-chairs of an event with the Democratic presidential nominee’s sister, Maya Harris.

    The Sunday event is billed as a Black Hollywood and Friends reception for the Harris Victory Fund.

    Co-chairs are Allen and Norm Nixon; Don Cheadle and Bridgid Coulter Cheadle; Jotaka Eaddy; Lorna and Cedric Kyles; Vincent Hughes and Sheryl Lee Ralph and Black Women in Entertainment for Kamala, per an invite. Hosts include Ralph Farquhar and Melba Farquhar, Todd Hawkins, Channing Johnson, Areva Martin, and Bill Nash and Shannon Nash.

    Tickets to the event start at $1,000 per person, rising to $100,000 for the “champion” level.

    Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) also will be in Southern California for fundraisers, with events planned for La Jolla and Montecito, while he also makes an guest appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night.

    Harris herself headlined a Los Angeles fundraiser last weekend that raised more than $28 million.

    Ratings: 9-1-1 Returns Bigger, Doctor Odyssey Gives ABC a 5-Year High, TNF Makes History

    (9/28/24) In the latest TV show ratings… but pending possible adjustment due to Hurricane Helene-related news preemptions in some markets… ABC’s 9-1-1 was Thursday’s most-watched broadcast program, while CBS’ Big Brother delivered broadcast’s best demo rating.

    Opening ABC’s night, 9-1-1 dialed up 4.77 million total viewers and a 0.5 demo rating, improving on its average Season 7 audience and matching its demo number.

    The freshman… something… Doctor Odyssey led out of that with 4.2 mil and a 0.4, marking ABC’s most-watched drama debut in five years and the highest-rated in four.

    Now airing in its latest (Thursday) time slot ever, Grey’s Anatomy opened Season 21 with 2.7 mil and a 0.3, matching and hitting series lows.

    Elsewhere…..

    Though facing stiffer competition, CBS’ Big Brother (3.1 mil/0.6) held steady week-to-week.

    The People’s Choice Country Awards on NBC (3.3 mil/0.3) were down 18% in audience from last year, but steady in the demo. A Brilliant Minds rerun added 1.8 mil/0.2 to the freshman drama’s opening week tally.

    Of Fox’s kitchen-themed season premieres, Hell’s Kitchen (1.6 mil/0.3) returned down from its previous averages, while Crime Scene Kitchen (1.1 mil/0.2) was steady.

    And on the streaming front: The Cowboys’ 20-15 victory over the Giants averaged 16.22 million viewers, marking an all-time high for Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and the most-streamed NFL regular season game in history.

    Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Premiere Recap: Reversal of Misfortune — Plus, That Steamy Kiss… Damn!

    (9/26/24) Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy got off to a promising start Thursday… even as it teased one character’s ending.

    Picking up shortly after the events of the Season 20 finale (recapped here), “If Walls Could Talk” quickly resolved the issue of Catherine firing Meredith, Amelia, Owen, Teddy and, it turned out, Bailey, too. As soon as Jackson arrived in Seattle, he made it clear to Mer that “I’m not here to make things easier for you.” He wanted the conflict over her research settled, stat — and so should she, he argued. “Progress takes money, and we have it.”

    Duly chastised, Mer was about to try to make nice with Catherine when Mommy Warbucks collapsed. It turned out that Catherine had a tumor on her spine about which neither her husband nor her son knew. And they weren’t going to know, either, she insisted. “You’re threatening me over your health?” Mer asked, incredulous. “I’ve blackmailed people over far less,” Catherine replied, adding that she had no interest in invasive treatments. She wanted to be remembered for the surgeries she’d performed, not the ones that she’d undergone.

    When all was said and done, though we weren’t privy to the exact bargain that Mer and Catherine struck, we did know that the doctors who had been fired with Mer had been rehired. And what about that groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research? It “will go in a different direction,” she said rather ominously. Now keep scrolling, and we’ll go over everything else that happened in the Season 21 premiere — and at least one thing that didn’t happen.

    No, Bailey Didn’t Really Slap Catherine

    As satisfying as the smack might have been, for viewers as well as Bailey, it was only a dream. In reality, Miranda was working at the clinic while volunteer Ben made plans to continue his surgical residency at Seattle Pres. (Seattle Pres? Seriously?) But it would soon become damn near impossible for Bailey to stay away from Grey Sloan: Her replacement as residency director was none other than perky Sydney Heron, who wasted no time getting under her former co-chief resident’s skin. (The interns weren’t a fan, either; they preferred being yelled at.) By the end of the hour, Bailey told Ben that he should forget about Seattle Pres — whew! — and apply at Grey Sloan. “I’m getting my job back,” she declared. As if there had ever been any doubt!

    Link Found Out Jo’s Pregnant

    GREY’S ANATOMY - “If Walls Could Talk” - After firing some of Grey Sloan’s best, Catherine continues to interfere with Meredith and Amelia’s research. Accidents at a climate change protest bring unique cases to the hospital, and Bailey encounters a blast from the past. THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Ser Baffo) CHRIS CARMACK

    Throughout “If Walls Could Talk,” one thing (climate-change protesters) after another (the mom-to-be’s fears) kept Jo from revealing to Link that Luna and Scout were getting a younger sibling. Finally, Link figured it out for himself at Joe’s. “You’re turning down fries?” he marveled to Jo. “And wine?” With that, the lightbulb went off over his head, he came up with three when he added one and one, and happily embraced both Jo and the idea of expanding their family.

    Richard Schooled Winston

    Treating a patient whose bungee cord had snapped at the climate-change protest, Winston encouraged Richard to get over his fear of surgery. The attempt didn’t quite work, but it did put Webber in the right place at the right time to help his former son-in-law see a life-or-death problem from a different perspective. After saving the patient, Winston asked Richard to walk him through what he’d caught and how he’d caught it. Perhaps teaching rather than operating is in Webber’s future?

    Jules Kissed Mika — Big Time

    GREY’S ANATOMY - “If Walls Could Talk” - After firing some of Grey Sloan’s best, Catherine continues to interfere with Meredith and Amelia’s research. Accidents at a climate change protest bring unique cases to the hospital, and Bailey encounters a blast from the past. THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 (10:00-11:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Ser Baffo) ADELAIDE KANE, MIDORI FRANCIS

    After spending the day being awkward about their near-kiss, Jules and Mika decided that it had been nothing. They’d just lost a patient and had been trying not to feel terrible, that was all. Only when they went to shake on the fact that they were still friends, Jules pulled Mika into a steamy kiss. (Sorry, but how on earth can Grey’s Anatomy be letting Midori Francis scrub out when she’s right on the verge of starting such a promising new story arc?)

    Blue’s Fiancée Remembered Him

    It wasn’t happenstance that Blue confided in Lucas that, when his mom had been so sick, it was fiancée Molly who had saved him. No, we didn’t get the backstory that Molly had lost her memory in a car crash that immediately followed a fight with Blue for no reason. In the episode’s closing moments, Molly showed up at Grey Sloan again, this time having realized that one thing had been missing as she’d put together the pieces of her life: Blue.

    Lucas Decided to Stay

    Off a pep talk from Link, Levi was encouraged to think that just because peds might not work out for him, that didn’t mean that he couldn’t still have a terrific career in medicine. And at last, Lucas revealed that he’d chosen not to accept Maggie’s Chicago job offer. He was sticking around Grey Sloan — a decision that he celebrated by making love with Simone.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Showrunner Talks Premiere’s Twists & Big Return, Teases Resilience-Themed Season 21 As 2 Cast Members Prepare To Exit

    (9/26/24) The Season 21 premiere of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy started and ended with a bang, leaving us with a few questions.

    That shocking slap from the promos came down at the very beginning of the episode, with Bailey hitting her boss Catherine when the latter called her “just another doctor.” Turns out it was a recurring dream Bailey had been having after she was let go from Grey Sloan over her objection to the decision to have Lucas repeat a year.

    Spared by Catherine only because they bring in funding, the interns were assigned a new supervisor, Sydney Heron (Kali Rocha) — in her return to Grey Sloan after 17 years — but they quickly soured on her overly sweet demeanor and “healing with love” attitude. Their reaction was similar to that of Meredith and her fellow interns back in Season 2 when Sydney first got the gig, filling in for Bailey while she was on a maternity leave. Working again at the free clinic, Bailey found a way back to Grey Sloan where she saved a patient’s life and came face-to-face with Sydney.

    There was no indication in the premiere of the pending departures of Yasuda and Levi. (As Deadline reported exclusively, the actors who portray them, Midori Francis and Jake Borelli, will be leaving this season after wrapping their characters’ arcs.) After some doubts about his future, Levi ended the episode in a good place with the help of some encouraging words from Link. And by the end of the episodes, Yasuda and Jules got to clear the air about that “moment” they shared in last season’s finale and soon were making out.

    As for Link and Jo, after a couple of comical situations where Levi almost spilled the beans, Link figured out that Jo was pregnant, with the two sharing a sweet embrace.

    Meredith continued to defy Catherine — and her legal summons. Urged by Jackson — who’d flown in to try and smooth over the situation — to apologize to his mom, Meredith begrudgingly agreed but before she had the chance to properly do it, she rushed to Catherine’s aid after she collapsed. The medical emergency helped turn the tables, with Meredith getting the upper hand and making Catherine reinstate everyone she had fired in exchange for her keeping the state of Catherine’s cancer and her decision not to undergo invasive treatments secret from Jackson and Richard.

    There was a condition though — Meredith would resume Alzheimer’s research for Catherine but “take it in a different direction.”

    In another major twist, Blue’s surprise “blast from the past” from last season, his amnesiac ex fiancee, was back — and so seemed to be her memory, at least some of it.

    In an interview with Deadline, Grey’s Anatomy executive producer and showrunner Meg Marinis explains the decision to bring Sydney back, what is next for the interns and for the feuding Catherine and Meredith and why everyone may be in for some awkward workplace dynamic having Jason George’s Ben Warren back at Grey Sloan alongside his wife Bailey.

    Marinis also addressed Yasuda and Levi’s pending exits. While she would not divulge details, Marinis indicated that none of them would be killed off so we can see them back on the show. Speaking of characters who are coming back, neither Monica (Natalie Morales) nor Nick (Scott Speedman) were in the premiere but both actors are set to reprise their recurring roles, with Marinis teasing the future of the Monica-Winston and Meredith-Nick relationships.

    She also revealed the theme for Season 21 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 mirror a storyline from 17 years ago and bring back Kali Rocha’s Sydney Heron to fill in for Bailey?

    MARINIS: Sydney Heron has been pitched numerous times over the years to return to Grey Sloan and it’s never felt right until now. The dynamic between Bailey and Sydney from back in season 2 was so entertaining that it seemed like the perfect fit asking her to come back and take over for Bailey. Especially since these particular interns don’t know her. The first line Kali delivered at the table read got so many laughs. It was great having her back on set.

    DEADLINE: Is it safe to assume that Bailey will retake charge of the interns who have not been very keen on Heron’s “Healing With Love” approach? And what is in store for the interns this season after they spent most of last season grappling with the aftermath of the S19 finale?

    MARINIS: It’s never safe to assume anything when it comes to Grey’s Anatomy! When it comes to our interns this season, we’re getting to dive deeper into their storylines because we have a full season order vs last season’s 10 episodes post strike. Lucas may be repeating his intern year, Blue has an ex-fiancee that 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, so I’m excited for fans to see them make mistakes as they’re learning to try and clean up after previous ones.

    DEADLINE: Can you tease how Yasuda and Levi’s exit story arcs will play out as they both found themselves in a pretty good place by the end of the premiere, with Yasuda in a relationship and Levi regaining his self-confidence?

    MARINIS: While I can’t speak to either of their storylines this season because of spoilers, what I can say is that I’m really happy with the way we’re honoring the characters we’ve built over the years thisseason. Jake and Midori are fantastic actors and will always be part of the Grey’s Anatomy family. And because of the longevity and power of this show, we all know– If you’re part of the Grey’s family, you’re always part of the family and possibly can come and go through the years.

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

    MARINIS: Catherine and Meredith are much more alike than they think. They’re both ground-breaking, powerful women in the surgical field, but they have different approaches when it comes to breaking barriers. Catherine struggles with Meredith because she’s constantly breaking the rules. Her cancer complications are going to force the two of them to work together and Catherine is going to have to lean on Meredith for support when she’s used to being in charge.

    As far as Meredith’s research goes, the Alzheimer’s storyline is something that’s obviously very near and dear to the show. Even though it SEEMS like Meredith’s research has briefly paused, she’ll always find a way to keep pushing towards finding a cure for the disease that took her mother and Amelia will be right there with her.

    DEADLINE: Are Monica and Winston still on? Natalie Morales was not in the premiere, so we didn’t get an update on the brand new couple. Same on Meredith and Nick, any bumps for them this season after the romantic reunion in the S20 finale?

    MARINIS: You’ll have to just wait and see when it comes to Monica and Winston! But Natalie is a delight on and off-screen, and we’ve loved telling more pediatric stories with our characters. When it comes to Meredith and Nick, she made a commitment to him last season and we’ll get to see that play out 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 now that we’ve taken it to the next level.

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

    MARINIS: Jo’s pregnancy will be a big change for their relationship this season. We’re going to see them try and figure out how to manage work, the kids they already have, and finding 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 Grey Sloan? Will the return to medicine be hard for him?

    MARINIS: We’re so excited to have Jason back! Ben’s relationship with Bailey is one I count as being so solid. As far as Ben’s return to Grey Sloan, I’ll say it’s not going to be as easy as he thought it would be. If he comes back to the hospital and Bailey possibly gets her job back, his wife will be his boss so that’ll be an interesting dynamic to navigate if it happens. It will also create fun dynamics between the other residents. Can they trust Ben as a colleague or is he a spy?

    DEADLINE: Season 20 had a “back to basics” theme. What is the theme for Season 21?

    MARINIS: This season’s theme is definitely resilience. The first half of the season everyone’s coming back from how season 20 ended. So much is in jeopardy. The second half will be resilience surrounding where we leave off in the midseason finale.

    I think resilience as a whole is something all of the doctors at Grey Sloan over the years have had to lean into. It’s part of the fabric and longevity of Grey’s Anatomy. Being a doctor has the highest of highs and the lowest of lows and you have to learn and work hard to come out of all of that and survive. Is the dream of finally becoming a surgeon worth all the personal sacrifice?

    DEADLINE: The premiere was dedicated to Stephanie Leifer. Can you share your memory of her and her work on Grey’s?

    MARINIS: Stephanie Leifer was an incredible person and devoted champion of Grey’s. She truly believed in us from the early years all the way through and supported our creative vision. I started my career as a PA, delivering Grey’s scripts to her office, and I remember her door always being open. She was so encouraging to writers and attended several Grey’s milestone events. It was a heartbreaking loss for this family.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Pays Tribute To Late Disney TV Executive Stephanie Leifer In Season 21 Premiere

    (9/26/24) The Season 21 premiere of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy ended with a card dedicating the episode to Stephanie Leifer. While the name may not be recognizable to the average Grey’s fan, the tribute is deeply meaningful to those who have worked on the show at any point of its run.

    Leifer, who died in June of cancer at the age of 56, was a beloved programming executive who had worked a combined 28 years at ABC and its sister studio before leaving the company in 2022. She oversaw Grey’s Anatomy as a current executive at the network and then at ABC Signature (fka ABC Studios), which produces the hit medical drama.

    In an interview with Deadline tied to the Season 21 premiere, Grey’s Anatomy executive producer/showrunner Meg Marinis spoke about the decision to dedicate the episode to Leifer. Marinis had worked with Leifer for more than a decade and a half as she climbed through the ranks on the show from a PA to a staff writer, to executive producer and now also a showrunner.

    “Stephanie Leifer was an incredible person and devoted champion of Grey’s. She truly believed in us from the early years all the way through and supported our creative vision,” Marinis said. “I started my career as a PA, delivering Grey’s scripts to her office, and I remember her door always being open. She was so encouraging to writers and attended several Grey’s milestone events. It was a heartbreaking loss for this family.”

    For more on the premiere’s twists and what to expect from the rest of the season, read Deadline’s interview with Marinis.

    Jane Fonda, Shonda Rhimes & Pedro Pascal Urge Gavin Newsom To Sign AI Safety Bill In Open Letter

    (9/25/24) As AI becomes more of a reality by the day, Hollywood is organizing to regulate its usage in the entertainment industry.

    Although California Gov. Gavin Newsom previously signed two AI bills last week giving performers greater protections, Jane Fonda, Shonda Rhimes and Pedro Pascal are among 125 industry professionals to sign Artists 4 Safe AI’s open letter urging him to pass Sen. Scott Wiener’s SB 1047.

    Other signators include JJ Abrams, Mark Ruffalo, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jean Smart, Hannah Einbinder, Ava DuVernay, Rosie O’Donnell, Mark Hamill, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jessica Chastain, Allison Janney, Judd Apatow, Fran Drescher, Sean Astin, Janelle Monáe, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Don Cheadle, Mariska Hargitay, Sophia Bush, Connie Britton, Alec Baldwin, Mahershala Ali, Annaleigh Ashford, Alyssa Milano, Jessica Alba, Rosanna Arquette, John Cho, Jennifer Beals and Tom Arnold.

    SB 1047 would require AI developers in the state to implement security precautions before training their models. The bill has drawn opposition from major companies like OpenAI, as well as from former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. But backers of the legislation say that it is light-touch regulation that merely codifies voluntary safety commitments that AI firms already have made.

    Last week, Newsom signed two AI bills, including AB 1836, which expands the scope of the state’s postmortem right of publicity, including the use of digital replicas, meaning that an estate’s permission would be needed to use such technology to re-create the voice and likeness of a deceased person. AB 2602 bolsters protections for artists in contract agreements over the use of their digital likenesses.

    Read Artists 4 Safe AI’s open letter below:

    “As you well know, some of the most lucrative and powerful companies in the world are currently racing to dominate the enormous business opportunity known as AI. Many of those companies are based in your home state of California.

    “Last week, you signed two bills into law that will help protect the rights and livelihoods of artists from various unethical uses of AI by those big tech companies. We are genuinely grateful for that.

    “But right now, there’s another bill urgently awaiting your signature that would regulate AI: Senator Wiener’s SB 1047. This bill is not about protecting artists — it’s about protecting everyone.

    “Grave threats from AI used to be the stuff of science fiction, but not anymore. Even though the billionaire opponents of SB 1047 dismiss these concerns as fantastical, many of the industry’s leading engineers, academics and policymakers warn otherwise. In a recent open letter in support of SB 1047, over a hundred current and former employees of OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Meta, and xAI said:

    “‘We believe that the most powerful AI models may soon pose severe risks, such as expanded access to biological weapons and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure. It is feasible and appropriate for frontier AI companies to test whether the most powerful AI models can cause severe harms, and for these companies to implement reasonable safeguards against such risks.’

    “SB 1047 would implement the safeguards these industry insiders are asking for. The bill passed with overwhelming majorities in the California State Senate and Assembly. Polling shows 77% of Californians approve of the bill. Why would the Governor not sign it into law?

    “Governor Newsom, most of us are residents of California. We are your supporters. We voted for you. We want to continue to believe that you are a leader who will stand up for everyone’s wellbeing, not just for a few Silicon Valley giants.

    “We fully believe in the dazzling potential of AI to be used for good. But we must also be realistic about the risks. Now is our moment, Governor, for California to set that practical and positive example for all of the United States, as well as the rest of the world.

    Tracker Enlists Floriana Lima for Season 2 Arc — What’s Her Connection to Colter?

    (9/23/24) Floriana Lima is keeping busy. In addition to joining Season 21 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, TVLine can exclusively confirm that the Supergirl and A Million Little Things alum has booked a recurring role on CBS‘ Tracker.

    Eagle-eyed viewers might have already spotted Lima’s character in a recently released trailer; in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, she appears and locks lips with Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw (see below).

    TVLine can now reveal that she’s playing Camille Picket. “Haunted, attractive… Camille has been Colter’s off-and-on lover for at least the past 10 years,” according to the official character breakdown. “Camille’s sister went missing 10 years ago and her case was never solved — which brings up some trauma for both Camille and Colter on every anniversary of her disappearance, but also causes them to reconnect, at least for an evening.”

    In the Season 2 opener, titled “Out of the Past” and airing Sunday, Oct. 13 (CBS, 8/7c), Colter investigates “the strange disappearance of a missing family whose car was found abandoned on the side of the road in the backwoods of Arkansas.” Along the way, he makes “a shocking discovery about the mother’s past that leads him into the world of organized crime.” Reenie, meanwhile, “opens up her new law firm and enlists Velma’s help in setting up shop.”

    In addition to Lima, TVLine can confirm that Matt Long (Manifest) and Lindy Booth (The Librarians) guest-star in the Oct. 13 premiere, both in pivotal roles tied to the aforementioned missing family case. Enuka Okuma (Rookie Blue) and Ryan Dorsey (Sons of Anarchy) also appear.

    Tracker, based on the best-selling novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver, stars This Is Us vet Hartley as the aforementioned Colter Shaw, “a lone-wolf survivalist who roams the country as a reward seeker, using his expert tracking skills to help private citizens and law enforcement solve all manner of mysteries,” according to the official logline.

    In his spare time, Colter contends with a fractured family — and a potential conspiracy involving his late father. Season 1 guest stars Melissa Roxburgh, Wendy Crewson and Jensen Ackles — who appeared as the Colter’s sister Dory, his mother Mary and his brother Russell — all are due back in Season 2, with Ackles scheduled to make his second appearance in Episode 2 (airing Oct. 20).

    Grey’s Boss Promises a ‘Delightful and Fun’ Arc Awaits Returning Doc

    (9/21/24) Don’t be concerned if you feel as if your heart is swelling when you tune into Grey’s Anatomy this fall. The return of Kali Rocha as Dr. Sydney Heron — after a 17-year (!) absence — is likely to have that affect, showrunner Meg Marinis tells TVLine.

    Sydney’s three-episode arc “is delightful and fun, and if you’re a longtime fan of the show, it is going to be a great, great treat,” the EP says. “Kali is fantastic. The second we heard her voice at the table read, we all had big smiles on our faces.”

    In fact, Sydney was rarely seen without a smile herself. During her previous stint in Seasons 2-4 at what is now Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, she was as perky and upbeat as perky and upbeat could get. And now? “If you remember how our original interns kind of responded to her,” Marinis teases, “you can think about how our doctors in Season 21 will respond to her. Fans will be very satisfied to see her back.”

    Also scrubbing in once again when ABC begins airing new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10/9c is Jason George, whose Station 19 character Ben Warren is coming back to complete his surgical residency. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist vet Michael Thomas Grant is joining the cast in the recurring role of gay hospital chaplain James. On their way out are Jake Borelli as co-chief resident Levi Schmitt and Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda.

    Grey’s Season 21 Trailer Brings Out the Scalpels as Meredith and Catherine’s Battle Becomes an All-Out War

    (9/19/24) (Video) The surgical gloves are off in the trailer ABC just dropped for Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy. Not only does it appear that Catherine is suing Meredith over ownership of her groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research, but the boss lashes out at Bailey for standing with the interns in defense of Lucas. “You think you’re God’s gift to this hospital?” Catherine scoffs. “You’re just another doctor.”

    “Talk to the hand,” Miranda replies — not in words, though, with a slap!

    Elsewhere in the extended promo, Richard and Winston have their hands full with a bungee jumper whose cord snapped. Jules and Mika face the awkward aftermath of their near kiss. After years and years away, Kali Rocha’s Dr. Sydney Heron is back to “heal with love.” And Jo — as she as well as we knew that she’d have to eventually — tries to broach the subject of her surprise pregnancy with significant other Link.

    As you may have read, when Grey’s Anatomy returns on Thursday, Sept. 26, there will be changes left, right and center. For starters, the long-running drama has a new time slot — 10/9c. On top of that, Jason George, who spent the last seven seasons fighting fires as Ben on much-missed spinoff Station 19, will be bringing back Bailey’s husband to complete his medical residency. Jake Borelli (Levi) and Midori Francis (Mika) are on their way out, and on his way in is Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist alum Michael Thomas Grant as James, Grey Sloan’s new chaplain.

    Holidazed: Hallmark’s First-Ever Holiday Series Gets November Premiere Date

    (9/19/24) Prepare to be Holidazed even before you’ve bought your Thanksgiving turkey.

    Hallmark’s first-ever holiday series Holidazed will premiere with two episodes on Thursday, Nov. 14, exclusively on Hallmark+, the streamer announced Thursday.

    After the premiere, one episode will follow every Thursday through Dec. 24.

    The limited series’ ensemble cast includes Ser’Darius Blain (The CW’s Charmed), Lindy Booth (The Librarians), Erin Cahill (Red Widow), Osric Chau (Supernatural), Nazneen Contractor (24), Loretta Devine (Grey’s Anatomy), Noemi Gonzalez (East Los High), Ian Harding (Pretty Little Liars), Dennis Haysbert (24), Rachelle Lefevre (Under the Dome), Virginia Madsen (Witches of East End), John C. McGinley (Scrubs), Holland Roden (Teen Wolf) and Lucille Soong (Fresh Off the Boat).

    Holidaze showcases six diverse families, each with distinct backgrounds, cultures, and generations, residing on the same cul-de-sac. As they navigate the joyous chaos of the holiday season, they embrace a family dynamic unique to them. Amid heightened emotions, these families and neighbors engage in both humorous and heartfelt celebrations of their traditions and quirks. Throughout the festivities, they uncover the universal thread binding them all: the various manifestations of love.

    ‘Anatomy Of Lies’: Debut Date & Trailer Revealed For Doc About Former ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Scribe Elisabeth Finch

    (9/17/24) (Video) NBCU’s streamer Peacock is taking a shot at Disney’s crown jewel.

    On Oct. 15, it will debut Anatomy of Lies, a docuseries about the “rise and fall” of Grey’s Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch, whose “jaw-dropping lies fooled Hollywood for years, and became fodder for many high-profile episodes of Grey’s.”

    The story, the streamer promises, is told by some of her “closest contacts, many speaking for the first time.”

    Using the Vanity Fair article “Scene Stealer” as source material, the docuseries promises to reveal how Finch, a “master of manipulation, saved her best fiction for her own life story and exploited the empathy of those around her.” It also addresses how Finch leaned into trauma survivor Jennifer Beyer and used her “deepest secrets” to her benefit.

    Finch, who is best known for penning “Silent All These Years,” a 2019 episode about a rape victim that also featured Finch in a non-speaking role as a nurse, left the show in 2022 after revelations about her behavior behind the scenes became public. Among the allegations were how she lied about her medical history, like how she was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, how she lost a kidney and part of her leg but was then misdiagnosed, and how she had endured verbal and sexual abuse by a male director while writing for The Vampire Diaries.

    At the time, the Los Angeles law firm of Lavely & Singer, which represented Finch, said that “Ms. Finch will not disclose her private health matters.”

    Anatomy of Lies is directed and executive produced by Evgenia Peretz and David Schisgall. It is produced by Vanity Fair Studios and Dorothy St. Vicki Cooper, Melanie Archer and Julia Nottingham of Dorothy St. Pictures; Helen Estabrook, Sarah Amos, Claire Howorth and Samantha Smith of Vanity Fair Studios serve as the executive producers.

    ‘Mistletoe Murders’ Featuring Sarah Drew Reveals Premiere Date On Hallmark+

    (9/16/24) The new Sarah Drew starrer Mistletoe Murders has a start date.

    The six-episode holiday series will premiere Thursday, Oct. 31 on Hallmark+. The series features the Grey’s Anatomy alum as Emily Lane, an optimistic shop owner of a charming year-round Christmas-themed store. However, her inner voice reveals a sardonic sense of humor, cunning intellect, and keen eye for details most people would miss…because Emily has a big secret. Residing in the quaint tourist town of Fletcher’s Grove, Emily finds herself compelled to investigate not-so-quaint local murders. And when Emily begins her personal investigations, Detective Sam Wilner (Peter Mooney), a smart local cop – with a crush on Emily that is not completely unrequited – begins to wonder if there’s more to Emily than meets the eye.

    The series also stars newcomer Sierra Marilyn Riley (Violet), Jean Yoon (Kim’s Convenience), Lara Amersey (Operation Nutcracker), Good Witch alum Kylee Evans and David Hewlett (The Shape of Water). Guest stars this season include Tom Cavanagh (The Flash), Jake Epstein (Suits) and Steven Lund (Schitt’s Creek).

    “We’re excitedly dipping our toe in the Christmas Noir space by bringing Hallmark’s cozy mystery viewers a holiday murder mystery for the first time,” Kelly Garrett, VP, Programming, Hallmark Media. “This deftly layered story is based on the beloved Audible Original series by Ken Cupurus and will take us deeper into who our characters are and will give the audience fun new twists and turns.”

    Executive Producer/Showrunner is Ken Cuperus (Carter). Other EPs are Michelle Melanson (The Next Step), Jocelyn Hamilton (Burden of Truth), Drew and co-EP Grant Harvey (The Way Home) and producer Robbie David (Dark Matter). The series comes from Lionsgate Canada and Headspinner Productions.

    Mistletoe Murders was adapted from the Audible Original series of the same name starring Cobie Smulders, Raymond Ablack and a full ensemble cast. Two seasons are currently available and season 3 will premiere on Nov. 7.

    Grey’s Anatomy EP Teases ‘Huge Consequences’ in the Wake of Meredith and Catherine’s Showdown

    (9/14/24) When Season 21 of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 26 (at 10/9c), Meredith is going to be up to her stethoscope in trouble. You’ll recall that in Season 20’s finale (recapped here), she refused to cave to Catherine’s demand that she hand over her Alzheimer’s research and instead made it public. Quicker than you could call time of death, Mer, Amelia, Teddy and Owen were all given the chop.

    “Meredith feels very responsible [for them being pink-slipped],” showrunner Meg Marinis tells TVLine, “especially because one of them is Amelia, who is family to her and went along on this ride with her. But Meredith made a huge decision in walking away from Catherine, and that is definitely going to have huge consequences” going forward.

    Has it occurred to Meredith that she could just rally the rest of Grey Sloan’s co-owners and give Catherine the boot? “Given her track record, I’m sure every thought like that is going through Meredith’s head,” Marinis laughs, adding, “Her rivalry with Catherine is one of my favorite things to write. [Ellen Pompeo and Debbie Allen] are both incredible actors and play so well off one another.”

    On a lighter note, Mer finally seems to be on the same page with significant other Nick. “She made a big step at the end of last season by kind of agreeing to let him in on all of her drastic life changes,” the EP notes. “He has the ability to also challenge her in ways that previous love interests haven’t done since Derek, so that adds a new dynamic that’s really fun.”

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 21 Teaser: Jackson Avery Returns As Trouble Brews At Grey Sloan — Watch

    (9/14/24) (Video) Things aren’t looking great for the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

    A teaser for the upcoming 21st season of Grey’s Anatomy hints that Catherine Fox (played by Debbie Allen) is on a mission to overhaul the hospital after everyone’s jobs were left in limbo in the previous season finale.

    In the final moments of Season 20, Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) puts herself in the line of fire with Catherine to protect her interns. And in the trailer released this week, Bailey isn’t done there, slapping Catherine across the face when she calls her “just another doctor.”

    Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) and Teddy (Kim Raver) are also on the outs after Teddy agreed to secretly continue funding the Alzheimer’s research that Catherine had tried to shut down. It looks like Meredith will be recruiting the help of her son, Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) to get back in her good graces, per the trailer.

    Watch the entire clip above.

    Though they aren’t in the teaser, expect to see the return of Scott Speedman, who plays Meredith’s love interest Nick Marsh, as well as Jason George’s Ben Warren in Season 21. Kali Rocha is also set to reprise her role of Sydney Heron 17 years after she last appeared on the show.

    Season 21 arrives September 26 at 10 p.m. on ABC.

    Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Promo Reveals Jackson’s Return — to Save the Day?

    (9/13/24) Dr. Jackson Avery is back, but he doesn’t look too pleased with what is going on with Meredith et al, in a newly released promo for Grey’s Anatomy Season 21.

    The promo, posted to People.com, largely revolves around series vet Kali Rocha’s return as onetime resident Dr. Sydney Heron. But midway through, we see Mer greet Grey’s alum Jesse Williams‘ Jackson with a “Welcome back!” — though his face isn’t exactly saying “happy to see me.”

    Remember, the Season 20 finale left Meredith, Amelia, Teddy and Owen pink-slipped. When the new season opens, “We’re picking up right in the middle of this mess,” showrunner Meg Marinis shared as part of TVLine’s fall preview, though it’s a safe bet that the aforementioned docs won’t be unemployed for long. “How that situation resolves will be very surprising,” Marinis teased. “It’s not as easy as kissing and making up [with Catherine].”

    So, is Jackson on-scene to help save the day, by helping his mother Catherine come to her senses?

    Williams was a series regular on Grey’s from Seasons 6 through 17, after which Jackson has popped up now and again — most recently, in a November 2022 episode.

    In addition to Williams’ encore and Rocha’s return (after a 17-year absence), Season 21’s casting moves include Jason George bringing Ben Warren back to Grey’s, now that Station 19 has ended; Michael Thomas Grant (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist) recurring as James, the hospital’s new, gay chaplain; and Jake Borelli and Midori Francis bumped from series regular status, as Dr. Levi Schmitt and surgical intern Dr. Mika Yasuda.

    ABC‘s Grey’s Anatomy returns Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10/9c.

    Dexter Prequel Original Sin Gets December Premiere Date — See Sarah Michelle Gellar, Christian Slater and More in First Trailer

    (9/13/24) (Video) Prepare for a killer holiday season.

    Dexter‘s prequel series Original Sin will get underway in December, TVLine has learned. The drama, which follows the original show’s central character during his teenage years, will premiere on Sunday, Dec. 15, on the linear Paramount+ With Showtime cable network; the episode will be available to stream on Paramount+ (for subscribers with the Paramount+ With Showtime plan) two days earlier, on Friday, Dec. 13.

    The spinoff is set in the 1990s and is centered on a younger version of the serial-killer character played by Michael C. Hall in the original series. (Hall will narrate the show, as well as star in another spinoff, Dexter: Resurrection.) Per Original Sin‘s official description, young Dexter is unable to control his “bloodthirsty urges” and must learn to “channel his inner darkness.”

    In conjunction with the premiere date news, the network released the series’ first teaser trailer, which you can watch above. “I am a killer, but I wasn’t born this way. I was made — by my history, by the people around me,” Hall narrates as we watch flashes of Dexter’s formative years. “They say it takes a village to raise a killer.”

    Patrick Gibson (Shadow and Bone) will play Dexter, with Molly Brown (Billions) as his sister Deb and Christian Slater (Mr. Robot) as his adoptive father, Harry. The cast also includes Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy), James Martinez (Love, Victor), Christina Milian (Grandfathered), Alex Shimizu (The Blacklist) and Reno Wilson (Good Girls).

    Jesse Williams Wants More Time With Kids, Rips Ex Wife

    (9/10/24) Jesse Williams is back to fighting with his ex-wife over their child custody schedule ... and it's getting nasty.

    The actor just filed new docs, obtained by TMZ, seeking a change in their child custody agreement ... and he's taking a few shots at his ex in the process.

    Jesse is looking for a 50/50 split in their custody schedule and wants to see their kids more than the one or two overnight stays he gets with them during the school year ... but he says his ex, Aryn Drake-Lee, is not playing ball.

    In the docs, Jesse claims he's trying to cooperatively co-parent their 10-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son with Aryn ... but he's accusing her of repeatedly interfering, obstructing and stealing his visitation and communication time with the kiddos.

    Jesse says his ex blocks and interferes with his FaceTime calls with the children, and blocks the kids from attending activities he signs them up for.

    What's more, Jesse claims Aryn strategically plans vacation schedules to eliminate his scheduled time with the kids.

    The way Jesse sees it ... "Causing drama and trying to fracture our children's experiences with me is far more important to Aryn than their peace, health, and happiness." Shots fired!!!

    Child custody disputes are nothing new for Jesse and Aryn ... and the judge has already ordered them to try to work things out in mediation.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts Floriana Lima In Season 21

    (9/9/24) Floriana Lima (A Million Little Things, Supergirl) has joined Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy in a recurring role, Deadline has confirmed.

    Lima will play Nora, a childhood friend of Owen (Kevin McKidd) and Megan Hunt’s (Abigail Spencer). Nora comes to Grey Sloan when a routine operation at another hospital results in dangerous complications. A devoted mother and recent divorcee, Nora is determined to do whatever it takes to survive so that she can be there for her children and experience the next chapter of her life. Her character will be introduced in the October 3 episode.

    In an interview last month with Deadline, showrunner Meg Maranis gave a hint of what’s to come in the upcoming season. Season 20 concluded with several of the doctors at Grey Sloan without jobs, and Maranis said Season 21 will “pick up pretty close to where we ended after the finale, and we’re gonna see how and if those doctors get their jobs back.”

    She also suggested that Jason George’s Ben Warren will return to Grey Sloan quite swiftly, as the actor is rejoining the cast as a series regular following the cancellation of Station 19.

    Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey), who has scaled back her on-screen presence, is set to be in at least seven of Season 21’s 18 episodes, sources tell Deadline. Following Season 20, Meredith’s career is at crossroads after she defied her boss and head of the Catherine Fox Foundation (Debbie Allen) by refusing to give up her controversial Alzheimer’s research and hand all her notes to Koracick. Instead, Meredith published an abstract online.

    On the bright side, Meredith’s relationship with Nick (Scott Speedman) got a major boost in the finale after he flew in from Boston to profess his love and she revealed that she had put an offer on the house he had scouted for the two of them and Ellen’s kids to move in together.

    Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy will premiere September 26 on ABC.

    Lima most recently portrayed Darcy Cooper in A Million Little Things. She also appeared on all six seasons as Maggie Sawyer in Supergirl and portrayed psychiatrist Krista Dumont in Netflix’s The Punisher.

    Sandra Oh Just Won Her First Emmy For ‘Quiz Lady’

    (9/8/24) TV veteran Sandra Oh — you know, the beloved actress from Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve — has been nominated for an Emmy 14 times but it took a little known Hulu movie called Quiz Lady for her to finally get a much-deserved attagirl by the TV Academy.

    Sadly, Oh wasn’t there to receive her award at the Creative Arts Emmys Sunday for producing Quiz Lady. But her fellow co-star/producer Awkwafina as well as the movie’s writer/producer Jen D’Angelo were astonished to learn backstage that Oh has never won the golden girl — until now. They were straight-up gobsmacked when a reporter told them.

    No one had the chance to check in with Oh before collecting the final Emmy of the night. Apparently, Oh is in Canada so she missed how the film — about a game-show-obsessed woman and her estranged sister work together to help cover their mother’s gambling debts — won the final prize on night 2 of the Creative Arts Emmys.

    Oh’s other Emmy noms in the past have been for Killing Eve, SNL, and Grey’s.

    Quiz Lady, which also stars Will Ferrell, Holland Taylor and Jason Schwartzman, had its world premiere at TIFF last year. It was picked up by Hulu, which debuted it last November.

    “It was such a surreal experience,” recalled D’Angelo about TIFF after Sunday’s show. “We were all so proud that the movie got in there and was able to screen there, but it was during the strike, so none of us were able to go except for [director] Jessica Yu. We were so sad to miss out on that. But that’s sort of the story of Quiz Lady. We’ve gone through a lot of stuff. We shot during Covid, we premiered during the strike, and we just sort of like kept going. We were the original comedy that could and it’s just been so wonderful to be able to share it with the world and to be able to have nights like tonight to celebrate it.”

    Jason George Teases Ben Warren’s ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Return Is “Very Much Mirroring” His Own Life After ‘Station 19’

    (9/6/24) Jason George is starting to see art imitate life as he transitions back to a recurring role on Grey’s Anatomy following the cancellation of Station 19.

    Seven years ago, George’s character Ben Warren left Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, where he’d been training as a fifth year surgical resident, to pursue his second dream of being a firefighter.

    Now, Ben is back for Season 21, resuming his residency program at the hospital with a lot more experience and a bit of a different perspective on life — which is basically how George feels about returning to the ABC medical drama.

    “I’m loving being back,” he told Deadline in a recent interview, admitting that it does feel a little “weird.”

    “It’s like, there’s the house you grew up in, and there’s the house you made as an adult. It’s not like my mom’s house is not mine. That’s my journey. That’s where I grew up. But this is the house that I made with my wife,” he explained. “So they’re very different, but I love them both dearly and for different reasons.”

    “Now that I’m back at Grey’s, it feels like being in your late 20s and coming back to live with your parents, but your parents are cool…you still come home when you want. You live your life as an adult, and you’re all good, but you’re in your room that you grew up in,” he continued.

    In fact, George teases that Ben puts this feeling into words during one of the first episodes of the season, describing how “everything you’ve done comes with you, even it feels like you’re going backwards.”

    George has been on Grey’s Anatomy since Season 6, and he was a series regular from S12-S14 before leaving to help launch spinoff Station 19.

    While George hasn’t been around full time, he’s made guest appearances on Grey’s Anatomy over the past few seasons, as Ben is still married to former Chief of Surgery Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson). Ben’s Season 7 storyline on Station 19 also saw him tapping more and more into his medical skills while he questioned his future as a firefighter.

    But there’s a different feeling to putting back on a pair of scrubs and stepping into an operating room, which both George and his character are experiencing again for the first time in years.

    “The journey right now is very much mirroring each other for both Ben and Jason,” the actor said.

    Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy will premiere September 26. At D23 in August, showrunner Meg Marinis remained fairly cryptic about what’s to come, but she did indicate that Ben’s return to the fray would be quite swift.

    “It’s not going to be a super easy journey for him, but we’re excited to have him back at around Grey Sloan,” she said at the time. She added that, as always, the season will have “some fun relationship” moments, which kick off in the premiere, as well as “some very fun event medical, very Grey’s Anatomy, shocking moments.”

    Grey’s Season 21 Trailer Delivers a Shocking Dis and an Even More Shocking Slap as Push Comes to Shove

    (9/4/24) (Video) The surgical gloves are off in the trailer ABC just dropped for Season 21 of Grey’s Anatomy. Not only does it appear that Catherine is suing Meredith over ownership of her groundbreaking Alzheimer’s research, but the boss lashes out at Bailey for standing with the interns in defense of Lucas. “You think you’re God’s gift to this hospital?” Catherine scoffs. “You’re just another doctor.”

    “Talk to the hand,” Miranda replies — not in words, though, with a slap!

    Elsewhere in the promo, Richard and Winston have their hands full with a bungee jumper whose cord snapped, and Jo — as she as well as we knew that she’d have to eventually — tries to broach the subject of her surprise pregnancy with significant other Link.

    As you may have read, when Grey’s Anatomy returns on Thursday, Sept. 26, there will be changes left, right and center. For starters, the long-running drama has a new time slot — 10/9c. On top of that, Jason George, who spent the last seven seasons fighting fires as Ben on much-missed spinoff Station 19, will be bringing back Bailey’s husband to complete his medical residency. Jake Borelli (Levi) and Midori Francis (Mika) are on their way out, and on their way in are Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist alum Michael Thomas Grant as James, Grey Sloan’s new chaplain, and Kali Rocha, who’s returning after 17 years to play out an arc as Dr. Sydney Heron.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’s Kate Burton & ‘The Boys’ Colby Minifie To Topline Julia Max Horror ‘The Surrender

    (8/26/24) Kate Burton (Grey’s Anatomy) and Colby Minifie (The Boys) will lead the cast of The Surrender, an indie horror film from first-time feature filmmaker Julia Max.

    Others to appear in the film, currently shooting in Los Angeles, include Neil Sandilands (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes), Vaughn Armstrong (Star Trek: Enterprise), Mia Ellis (Lavender Men), Pete Ploszek (You), Chelsea Alden (13 Reasons Why), Riley Rose Critchlow, Lola Prince Kelly and Alaina Pollack.

    A sales title with all rights available, The Surrender centers on a fraught mother-daughter relationship that is put to a terrifying test when the family patriarch dies and the grieving mother hires a mysterious stranger to bring her husband back from the dead. As the bizarre and brutal resurrection ritual spirals out of control, both women must reconcile their differences as they fight for their lives, and for each other.

    “The Surrender is an incredibly personal project for me as it was loosely inspired by the experience my mother and I went through when my stepfather passed away,” said Max, who is directing from her own script. “I could not ask for a more talented and empathetic team of actors, producers, and crew to bring this story to life and do it justice.”

    Ushered to production by Codependent Films, The Surrender‘s producers include Mia Chang (It Follows), Lovell Holder (Peak Season), Ian McDonald (Woman of the Hour) and Emmy-winning casting director Robert J. Ulrich (The Boys). Susan Gelb, Adam Maffei (Griffin in Summer) and Rob Massar (Peak Season) are exec producing, with Brenden Rodriguez and Daniel Schwab co-producing, and KW Campol serving as associate producer.

    “Having had the privilege of producing Julia’s previous short film,” Holder stated, “I believe she represents a brilliant and unique new voice within the horror genre. Her work seamlessly blends humor, pathos, and the supernatural to capture deep truths about the human experience, and The Surrender is no exception, weaving a smart and heartbreaking portrait of what it is to lose a parent. I’m honored to collaborate with Julia, Kate, Colby, and all our team members in telling an original story that is simultaneously so intimate and also so universal.”

    A three-time Emmy and Tony Award nominee who has been seen in such classic films as Big Trouble in Little China, The First Wives Club and The Ice Storm, Burton’s most notable recent feature credits include Sony’s Dumb Money and the custody battle drama Our Son starring Luke Evans and Billy Porter. Also known for her role as Dr. Ellis Grey on Grey’s Anatomy, her other recent small-screen credits include Bosch: Legacy, The Dropout and Inventing Anna.

    Best known for her role as Vought International exec Ashley Barrett on Prime Video’s hit superhero series The Boys and spin-off Gen V, Minifie’s also recurred on Fear the Walking Dead, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Jessica Jones. Feature credits include Radium Girls and Charlie Kaufman’s I’m Thinking of Ending Things.

    Burton is repped by Gersh, Lou Coulson Associates, and Principal Entertainment LA; Minifie by Innovative and Brillstein; and Max by Entertainment 360.

    Blast From The Past: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Brings Back Kali Rocha For Guest Arc As Sydney Heron After 17 Years

    (8/15/24) Grey’s Anatomy has proven time and time again that characters may be gone but they are never forgotten. A return this coming season will take that to a new level as Kali Rocha is set to reprise her role as Sydney Heron 17 years after she last appeared on the popular ABC medical drama.

    In what is likely a record-long gap for a character coming back to an ongoing series, Rocha is set to do three episodes in the upcoming 21st season of Grey’s Anatomy, setting up a Sydney-Bailey reunion and giving fans an update on how Sydney is doing almost two decades after we last saw her.

    Sydney was first introduced in Episode 15 of Grey’s second season as a perky fourth-year resident who filled in for Bailey (Chandra Wilson) overseeing the interns while she was on maternity leave. Rocha came back as a recurring the following season, appearing in five episodes, and was brought back in Season 4 for two additional episodes, making the last of her eight guest stints on the show in Episode 8, which aired in November 2017.

    Sydney immediately made an impression on the interns with her eternal optimism and “heal with love” philosophy, which she had adopted after suffering a nervous breakdown over losing a patient and taking a break from medicine.

    She then unsuccessfully ran against Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Bailey for the Chief Resident position and she also went on a date with Derek (Patrick Dempsey) before realizing that they were not compatible.

    Always delightfully — or irritatingly, depending on who you ask — chipper, Sydney has divided fans with her positive attitude. But she has been a standout character, serving as the narrator of the book The Grey’s Anatomy Guide to Healing with Love. She also has developed a following over the years as new, younger viewers discover the series on streaming.

    Bringing familiar faces back for a visit — and a life and career update — to Grey Sloan after years away is a longstanding Grey’s Anatomy tradition. Kate Walsh returned in Season 18 a decade after her character Addison was last seen on the show. Last season, Jessica Capshaw’s Arizona was back after a 5 1/2-year break. And Scott Speedman became a series regular in Season 19 some 3 1/2 years after his character Nick was introduced in an episode. He has been a recurring for the past two seasons and will be back again this coming season for more episodes.

    Rocha is also known for her roles in Liv & Maddie and Man with a Plan. She recently starred in the Showtime limited series Waco: The Aftermath. Rocha is repped by Innovative Artists and The Rosenzweig Group.

    Scott Speedman Sets ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Return, Upping Number Of Episodes In Season 21

    (8/12/24) Meredith and Nick may indeed be moving in together. Scott Speedman, who plays Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) on- and off- love interest Nick Marsh on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, has closed a deal to continue to recur on the hit medical drama in its upcoming 21st season. I hear he is set to appear in at least five episodes.

    That is more than the abbreviated Season 20 when Speedman did four episodes. He is joining Pompeo, who, as Deadline revealed exclusively last month, also will ramp up her on-screen presence next season, appearing in at least seven episodes. Reps for ABC, Shondaland and ABC Signature, which are behind the long-running series, declined comment.

    Asked by Deadline at Comic-Con whether he would be doing more episodes now that his on-screen partner Pompeo will be featured more prominently in Season 21, Speedman was noncommittal but hopeful.

    “Maybe, yeah, we’ll see. I never know what’s going on over there,” he said. “But I hope so, it’s a fun show.”

    Speedman has had an unusual love interest trajectory on Grey’s. He originally signed a one-year series regular deal for Season 18 in what was expected to be a season-long arc. That looked to be the case when, by the Season 18 finale, Nick and Meredith had fallen out, she told him that he should probably go back to Minnesota, he walked out, she eventually ran after him but he was gone.

    But fans liked Meredith and Nick and a couple, and so did the Grey’s Anatomy writers. Speedman has recurred on Grey’s ever since, doing 14 episodes in Season 19 and four in Season 20. That included key appearances in the Season 19 and 20 premieres and finales, delivering swoon-worthy love speeches in romantic reconciliations with Meredith in both closers.

    “We’re just so excited for Meredith and Nick to be together,” new Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Meg Marinis told Deadline after the Season 20 premiere. “We’ll follow that relationship.”

    In the Season 20 closer, Nick flew in from Boston to again profess his love despite Meredith making it very hard for him to be part of her life, something he acknowledged. She responded with a grand gesture of her own, revealing that she had just put in an offer on the Chestnut Hill house he had mentioned in the previous episode as a place they could make into a home together.

    Speedman, who nest stars in Peacock’s James Wan-produced horror series Teacup, is repped by CAA.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Showrunner Teases Season 21 As Cast Celebrates Medical Drama’s 20th Anniversary At D23

    (8/10/24) Grey’s Anatomy returns next month, and showrunner Meg Marinis teased a bit of what to expect from Season 21 of the ABC medical drama during the series’ 20th anniversary celebration at D23 on Saturday.

    “My favorite thing to do is to tie up our characters in the messiest knot possible in a finale, which I feel like we did pretty successfully,” she said. “We have doctors who do not have jobs, and we pick up pretty close to where we ended after the finale, and we’re gonna see how and if those doctors get their jobs back.”

    Marinis also suggested that Jason George’s Ben Warren will return to Grey Sloan quite swiftly, as the actor is rejoining the cast as a series regular following the cancellation of Station 19.

    “It’s not going to be a super easy journey for him, but we’re excited to have him back at around Grey Sloan,” she explained.

    As always, the season will have “some fun relationship” moments, which kick off in the premiere, as well as “some very fun event medical, very Grey’s Anatomy, shocking moments,” Marinis said, assuring fans: “I think you’re gonna be happy.”

    Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 premieres September 26 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

    ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Casts ‘Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’ Alum As Gay Hospital Chaplain In Season 21

    (8/8/24) Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist alum Michael Thomas Grant will be joining the 21st season of Grey’s Anatomy as the hospital’s new gay chaplain, James, Deadline has confirmed.

    Per ABC‘s character description, “James joins Grey Sloan as the hospital’s openly gay Episcopal chaplain. He holds a special place in his heart for his younger patients, and his warmth, training and spirituality make him comfortable and confident in any situation. In his personal life, James finds himself at a crossroads where he is open to love and taking great leaps of faith.”

    The character will be introduced in the second episode of Season 21.

    As it was reported earlier, first by TVLine, the series had planned to add a new, male gay character amid the exit of Jake Borelli, whom we learned in May would be leaving the series next season after wrapping up his storyline as gay doctor Levi Schmitt.

    In the Season 20 finale, Levi was having to rethink his future after not doing well enough on the ABSITE test to be eligible for a peds fellowship.

    Grant is perhaps best known for his role as Leif Donnelly opposite Lauren Graham in Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist on NBC. His other credits include The Rookie: Feds, Roadies The Fosters. On stage, he has performed frequently in heatre shows throughout Los Angeles. He just finished recording on Storm of Whispers, the second outing of the TTRPG actual-play podcast Roll Play Game. Grant is repped by Buchwald and Atlas Artists.

    ‘A Different World’ Sequel Series About Whitley & Dwayne’s Daughter From Felicia Pride In Works At Netflix

    (8/7/24) An A Different World sequel series chronicling Dwayne and Whitley’s daughter’s time at Hillman College, is in early development at Netflix, sources tell Deadline. The single-cam, half-hour comedy comes from writer/executive producer Felicia Pride (Bel-Air, Grey’s Anatomy) and executive producers Debbie Allen, Mandy Summers, Tom Werner, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Bythewood.

    Netflix declined to comment for this story.

    Allen, Werner, Prince-Bythewood and Bythewood all worked on the original hit NBC series, a spinoff of The Cosby Show, which ran for six seasons. Allen was director-producer, Prince-Bythewood and Bythewood were writers, and Werner executive produced for The Carsey-Werner Company.

    A Different World followed Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) and her new classmates at Hillman College, a fictional historically Black college. Though Bonet exited after one season, the show continued with the leading cast of Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Darryl M. Bell, Sinbad, Charnele Brown, Cree Summer and Glynn Turman.

    The retooled second season continued to follow the students’ lives, with the love story between Guy’s Whitley Gilbert and Hardison’s Dwayne Wayne at the center. Dwayne, famous for his glasses that flipped up, finally put a ring on it in the Season 5 episode “Save the Best For Last.” Though Whitley was adamant she didn’t want children, she discovers she’s pregnant in “When One Door Closes,” the penultimate episode of the series, and everyone is elated. However, things get somber when Dwayne reveals he’s accepted a job in Japan where he and his wife will raise their family — a different world.

    The sequel will center on the couple’s youngest daughter, who is now also attending Hillman, sources share. While casting is yet to begin officially, we hear conversations with original cast members have taken place regarding interest and availability and the response has been positive.

    A continuation of the series has been in various stages of development throughout the years but was paused for multiple reasons including the legal issues surrounding Bill Cosby, the creator of A Different World.

    The cast reunited earlier this year on Today and The View to celebrate A Different World‘s ongoing impact and legacy. In February, they kicked off a 10-city tour stopping at many HBCUs to encourage student enrollment.

    Other notable A Different World alums include Marisa Tomei, who made her TV debut in Season 1, and Jada Pinkett Smith, who starred in the last two seasons early in her career.

    The Different World sequel follows the template Werner used for another classic sitcom from the Carsey-Werner library, That ’70s Show, at Netflix. Its sequel series, That ’90s Show, which also focuses on the daughter of the main characters from the original, is in the middle of its Season 2 release on the streamer.

    Before selling the pilot to Netflix, Pride served as supervising producer on the third season of Peacock’s hit series Bel-Air, a dramatic take on Will Smith’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Additionally, she was a writer and producer on Grey’s Anatomy, ABC’s hit medical drama from Shonda Rhimes.

    Currently, she’s developing the series Livelihood, based on her spec, for Netflix, and Seven Days in June for Amazon. Her production company Honey Chile Entertainment is executive producing and writing the Lifetime original movie Black Magick. Previously, she was a writer on Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar for multiple seasons.

    'Grey's Anatomy' Star Sara Ramirez Settles Divorce With Estranged Hubby

    (8/6/24) Sara Ramirez is one step closer to being legally single ... as Sara has settled their divorce from their estranged husband, Ryan Debolt.

    In new court documents obtained by TMZ ... Sara and Ryan have reached a settlement on all issues between them. Neither Sara nor Ryan will be receiving spousal support.

    The settlement is pretty cut and dry ... as the exes share no minor children and have been separated for the last 6 years.

    A judge has yet to sign off on the agreement ... but if it all goes according to plan, Sara and Ryan's marriage will officially be terminated on December 16.

    Sara -- who is best known for their work in "Grey's Anatomy," "Madam Secretary," and the "Sex and the City" spinoff series "And Just Like That..." -- filed for divorce back in June.

    The update came 3 years after the former couple went public with their separation ... though, court documents later proved the twosome had been apart for a lot longer.

    Sara and Ryan got engaged in June 2011 after dating for a few years, and they wed in July 2012. The duo exchanged their vows in a private beachside ceremony in New York.

    In 2016, Sara came out as queer and bisexual following the Pulse nightclub shooting. A few years later, Sara opened up once more ... as they shared they were gender nonbinary.

    Sounds like Sara and Ryan are ready for their next chapter.

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