Grey’s Anatomy‘s Shonda Rhimes was not tight-lipped when it came to season 12 at today’s TCA presentation. Find out what’s in store this fall!
Shonda Rhimes, the Queen of ABC’s Thursday night, or TGIT as they call it, revealed more than her thoughts regarding the decision to kill off the beloved neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd. Rather than focus on the gravity of that decision, Rhimes moved on to offer a few more tidbits about season 12.
ICYMI: Read what Rhimes had to say about the decision to have Derek leave Grey’s Anatomy
Time jump
Just as the end of last season pushed viewers ahead nearly one year following Derek’s death, Grey’s Anatomy season 12 will return three months after the events of the finale. This will provide Meredith with plenty of time to pack and move three kids back into her mother’s home without wasting too much air time taping boxes and loading vans.
Is Meredith ready to move on?
In a way, we’ve already seen Meredith make some decisions that pushed her into a new trajectory of her life. She is now a single mother of three children, working full-time as a surgeon, and heading back to her roots to live among her sister and extended family of friends.
Rhimes spoke about Meredith’s new life, saying, “We do have this world in which Meredith is single, and she is living this life that she’s never thought she’d be living again. She’s living in a house with her sisters. There’s a lot of single women right now. She’s surrounded by women who are dating and having a whole life. She’s not interested in all that. She’s pondering, ‘Is there a second life there or are the best years behind you?'”
Well what about that guest star?
The new McDreamy
Announced a few months ago, Martin Henderson is heading to Grey’s Anatomy. But do not expect to see him until we near the dreaded winter hiatus. Rhimes commented on Henderson, saying, “I don’t even know what I’m doing yet with that. I mean, honestly, I don’t know.”
One thing she can confirm, he is not trying to be McDreamy. “That’s not really the point. Meredith’s on a journey, Meredith’s always been on a journey, and I’m taking her where the journey leads her, so we’ll see what that feels like,” Rhimes said.
Callie and Arizona
They may not be getting back together, but things are certainly heating up for Arizona and Callie in season 12. After trying to make it work in seasons 10 and 11, Callie and Arizona called it quits, but neither found a relationship that stuck.
“Definitely some new romances for them this season, and some pretty exciting ones, too, which I think are going to be kind of interesting,” said Rhimes. Maybe season 12 is their second chance for love!
Expect some levity
After a dramatic, heavyhearted season 11, expect to see a lighter season 12. Meredith is about to embark on a rebirth, Bailey’s fight for chief is sure to inspire a few chuckles, and the new interns are bound to keep Edwards on her toes. Although, there is always a bit of drama that must ensue. Rhimes also confirmed that April Kepner did make the decision to get on the plane to return for another tour as a surgeon, a choice that may have left Jackson a bachelor in Seattle.
Grey’s Anatomy season 12, episode 1, “Sledgehammer,” premieres Thursday, September 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC.