AceShowbiz - Grey's Anatomy wrapped up its 22nd season without the usual dramatic cliffhangers, but showrunner Meg Marinis has hinted that season 23 may bring fresh surprises, including possible cast departures and story developments. In an interview with Deadline on May 7, Marinis stressed that fans will have to wait and see which characters return in the upcoming season.

The season 22 finale featured fewer returning cast members than usual, a choice Marinis said was not premeditated. She explained, "When we realized that we needed to exit two characters, we wanted to spend the most time on the characters that we have currently." This decision also impacted the screen time allocated to the new interns introduced this season.

Despite their limited presence in the finale, Marinis expressed enthusiasm about the new interns, describing them as “fun characters to interact with” and hopeful for their return in future episodes. However, she pointed out that the last two episodes focused heavily on the established main cast to cover essential creative ground.

Grey's Anatomy, which debuted in 2005, centers on the intertwined personal and professional lives of surgical interns, residents, and attending physicians at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, formerly known as Seattle Grace and Seattle Grace Mercy West. The show has long been known for its intense plot twists and unexpected character exits, often involving shocking deaths.

In recent years, cost-cutting measures across scripted television have influenced screen time and cast stability, and Grey's Anatomy has not been exempt. The season 22 finale saw significant changes: Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) decided to leave the hospital to start a new life in Paris, while Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) proposed to Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman) following a near-death experience.

The finale included other dramatic moments such as several possible breakups and a proposal, continuing the show’s tradition of emotional storytelling. However, the stability of the cast remains uncertain as Grey's Anatomy heads into its 23rd season.

The future of multiple characters is unclear. Notably, after Monica’s (Natalie Morales) death earlier in season 22 and Amelia Shepherd’s (Caterina Scorsone) decision to take a sabbatical, the show has experienced considerable cast upheaval. Marinis acknowledged that these shake-ups contribute to an evolving dynamic at Grey Sloan Memorial.

Regarding Meredith and Nick’s potential wedding, Marinis revealed logistical challenges due to Scott Speedman’s commitments to his own show, R.J. Decker. She said, "It will depend on if [Scott's show] R.J. Decker goes, and I hope it does for Scott. But he was so game, he flew in on a Friday, we filmed on a Saturday, and we worked it out." Marinis emphasized the collaborative spirit of the cast and production but noted that scheduling will need to be coordinated carefully moving forward.

Marinis also left open the possibility of additional cast exits in season 23. She mentioned Harry Shum Jr.’s character, Kwan, who was officially fired, stating, "His fate is still undecided. Blue is scared out of his mind, so we'll just have to see when we come back in the fall. He doesn't have a job at Grey Sloan right now, so we'll have to see what happens to him."

When asked about the show's longest-standing members, James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson, Marinis reassured fans, saying, "[James] is in every episode. And those two are our OGs that are the pillars of the show." However, she hinted that Chandra Wilson’s character, Bailey, might be seen in a different role or capacity in future episodes, indicating some creative shifts while maintaining her presence on the show.

Grey's Anatomy has remained a staple of network television and continues to stream on Hulu, providing fans with access to past seasons and the latest episodes. As season 23 approaches, viewers can expect the show to blend its trademark emotional intensity with new storylines shaped by ongoing cast changes and fresh character dynamics.

Overall, while season 22 concluded without major shockers, the showrunner has made it clear that season 23 will not shy away from evolving the ensemble’s composition and exploring new narrative directions, ensuring Grey's Anatomy remains unpredictable and engaging.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Us Weekly.