More Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 rumors have surfaced due to an interview that executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff had with Deadline this week.
It seems that Vernoff is planning both for a series finale to take place at the end of the current season and for the possibility that ABC renews the show for an 18th season.
There is a lot up in the air when it comes to Grey’s Anatomy’s future, and its fate could tie into whether or not star Ellen Pompeo can come to terms on a new contract.
At the end of Grey’s Anatomy Season 17, Pompeo’s contract to play Meredith Grey comes to an end. It means that the network and the show need to get Pompeo on a new deal if they want to come back for more episodes.
Krista Vernoff addresses Grey’s Anatomy rumors
When Deadline asked Vernoff if Season 17 will be the final one for Grey’s Anatomy, she said, “I don’t know yet.”
This echoes what we reported from Pompeo recently, when she stated that, “We honestly have not decided. We’re really trying to figure it out right now.”
Pompeo spoke about whether they would be ending the show in Season 17 or filming new episodes for Season 18.
It’s a given that ABC would like to have Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 as part of its television programming in fall 2021. The show still brings in strong viewership numbers and continues to do really well in the key advertising demographics.
Still, it could all come down to how expensive it is for the show to film another season. Ellen Pompeo’s last contract paid her $20 million per year to be on the show.
Would she want a raise to dedicate another year of her life to Meredith Grey’s character?
Why should ABC renew Grey’s Anatomy for Season 18?
In addition to giving fans another year of the medical drama, Season 18 of Grey’s Anatomy could give the network a springboard for a spin-off. Certain characters could go on to other things and an audience that might be willing to follow them to a new show.
It worked for several years when Addison Montgomery (played by Kate Walsh) joined the spin-off Private Practice at the network. ABC aired six seasons of the drama, and it gave Addison Montgomery even more room to work with.
If ABC and the show’s fans know in advance that Season 18 will include the final episodes, it would also allow the writers to bring finality to a lot of the storylines.
From that standpoint, there could be many open threads left if Season 17 spells the end of Grey’s Anatomy.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC.