‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Could See 3 More Seasons With 3 Fan-Favorite Cast Members

Good news for Grey’s Anatomy fans! This is as Kevin McKidd, Camilla Luddington and Kim Raver sign new multi-year agreements. Contracts were up for all three at the end of Season 16, but their new contracts reportedly cover them for three more years. This is, of course, assuming ABC Studios extend the Shonda Rhimes drama past Season 17.

Three fan favorites renewed for Grey’s Anatomy

Deadline reported the news on Friday about Kevin McKidd, 46, Camilla Luddington, 36, and Kim Raver, 51. It is good to hear they have all three signed new, multi-year agreements. Fans will remember that in May last year, there was an announcement that Grey’s Anatomy will be back for at least Season 17. Hopefully, ABC will extend this at least two more seasons.

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It was also reported by Deadline that McKidd, Luddington and Raver will receive a significant increase in salary. As fans know, McKidd plays the role of Dr. Owen Hunt, while Raver plays Dr. Teddy Altman. Luddington joined the Grey’s Anatomy cast in 2012 and plays Dr. Jo Wilson.

While all this is happening, Ellen Pompeo (Dr. Meredith Grey) is also busy negotiating a new contract. Her current contract expires at the end of Season 17. Let’s face it, Grey’s Anatomy wouldn’t be the same without Mer!

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What can we expect from Season 17?

While fans know they will be seeing some familiar faces in the upcoming season, there will also be familiar storyline in place. This is after Krista Vernoff, executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy, revealed the series will tackle the ongoing coronavirus pandemic in the upcoming season.

In an interview with the Television Academy, Vernoff opened up about this. She said they are going to “address this pandemic for sure” in Season 17. Moreover, there is no way a long-running medical show wouldn’t cover the medical story of our lifetimes. This was discussed during the Quaranstreaming: Comfort TV That Keeps Us Going panel. The panel was also attended by Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey) and McKidd.

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COVID-19 stories in Season 17 of Grey’s Anatomy

Vernoff added that the show’s normal writing process involves writers interviewing doctors to find out their “funniest or craziest stories.”  This year, of course, meeting with doctors and hearing their stories has been different. Obviously, this is as their stories relate to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Krista explained in the panel interview that it has felt more like therapy to them. She said, “The doctors come in and we’re the first people they’re talking to about these types of experiences they’re having. They are literally shaking and trying not to cry, they’re pale, and they’re talking about it as war — a war that they were not trained for.”

Vernoff, of course, teased that in the storyline, Dr. Owen Hunt has already been trained for this. His character already has experience other doctors don’t have. Although, of course, Dr. Teddy Hunt has had a similar background. Krista stressed how “really painful” it has been to hear such tragic stories and how important it is for them to be shared.

Viewers have become accustomed to watching the daily shows and reality shows in a virtual, social-distancing manner. Now, we will get to see drama involving the coronavirus pandemic itself.