Grey’s Anatomy is coming back not just once ... but twice! Thanks to the show's dedicated fans, ABC announced in May that Shonda Rhimes’s epic medical drama is returning for two more seasons , making it the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history. Best of all: The wild (and wonderful) world of Grey Sloan resumes with season 16 on Thursday, September 26. Season 16, which kicks off on Thursday, September 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC, is already shaping up to be one of the show's best yet. Even Jake Broelli, who plays Levi Schitt, told ET that the new season promises to be "scary and exciting at the same time." Because of the way season 15 ended (more on that later), the hospital has "completely turned on its head," making it a "different landscape than we've been used to." Watch the season 16 promo to see what he's talking about: This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. In a brand-new trailer for the season 16's first episode titled "Nothing Left to Cling to," we see Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) picking up trash for community service. As you know, Meredith, Richard (James Pickens Jr.), and Alex (Justin Chambers) were all fired on the basis of insurance fraud at the end of last season. From the looks of the promo, season 16 begins with the search for Jackson (Jesse Williams) after he disappeared into the fog at the end of season 15. We also see a pregnant Teddy (Kim Raver) in the hospital with Owen (Kevin McKidd) by her side, and they're shocked to hear about the firings. So with that, here's everything else we know about Grey's Anatomy season 16. When is Grey’s Anatomy coming back for season 16? Fans will return to Grey Sloan on Thursday, September 26 at 8 p.m. on ABC. So, you know what that means: Shondaland's #TGIT is here to stay (FYI: How to Get Away with Murder, Rhimes' other hit show, follows Grey's and Station 19 at 10 p.m. for its final season.) Will Ellen Pompeo still be on the show? ABC has made it clear that Grey Sloan doesn't exist without Meredith Grey. So much so, that their entertainment chief Kerry Burke recently told the Television Critics Association that "it will be up to them (Pompeo and Rhimes) whether or not they want to continue the show." For the next two seasons, it's a yes from both parties, which means that Pompeo will return to portray the lead character. Last year, the actress signed a contract for seasons 15 and 16, which made her TV’s highest-paid leading woman on a primetime drama series. But according to The Hollywood Reporter , her new deal tacks on one more season. Mitch Haaseth Getty Images This may come as a surprise to fans because Pompeo recently told Entertainment Weekly that she was “definitely looking for a change.” “I’m feeling like we’re coming to the end of the stories that we’ve told and that we can tell,” she said in September 2018. “I’m really excited to do some new things, it’s about time that I mix it up and I’m really excited about my producing career ... My children are getting older so I want to be more available to them now.” Showrunner Krista Vernoff recently told TVLine about the big plans for Meredith's character arc, highlighting her relationship with Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti). “They’ve got to navigate the complexities of a new relationship in the wake of Meredith having been fired and having broken the law,” said Vernoff. "There are stressors on their very new relationship coming from the ramifications of those decisions last season.” Any chance that Patrick Dempsey or Sandra Oh will return in season 16? Get this: In an interview with TV Line, Vernoff teased fans that one of their favorite characters will make a comeback in season 16 ... but she didn't confirm the actor. "I'm trying to get someone back," she said. "There's someone I'm hoping will make an appearance this year, [but] it's a real maybe. I'm trying." While fans were hopeful that Patrick Dempsey's iconic character Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd would come back, they weren't so sure how the show would bring him back from the dead ... again. Last season, he played McDreamy's ghost in season 15's "Day of the Dead" episode. Other fans on Twitter guessed that Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), or Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) would return to Grey Sloan. Not too long after Vernoff's initial tease, TV Line shut down the rumors, confirming that they weren't able to secure the mysterious alum. When a fan asked for details in TV Line's Ask Ausiello, they answered: "Major update: It’s (sadly) not happening. Ultimately, a deal just didn’t come together." There's still hope for season 17, though! Will there be new characters in Grey's season 16? Alyssa Milano and Holly Marie Combs are confirmed to play sisters of a hospital patient who’s brain dead after falling into a construction site, according to Entertainment Weekly. We know them as witches in Charmed, a show that was produced by — you guessed it — Vernoff. This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. We’re not quite sure if any new doctors are entering the scene, but we can confirm that three characters have been promoted to series regulars: Chris Carmack, Jake Borelli, and Greg Germann, will all play key roles in the upcoming season, according to Deadline . “Chris, Jake, and Greg have been recurring for us as guest stars and have popped as fan favorites,” said Vernoff. “We are excited to continue revealing their characters and we are beyond thrilled to welcome them to the Grey’s Anatomy family.” Chris and Jake celebrated the news on social media: “Great news from Hollywoodland! Honored to be joining this esteemed crew!! !” wrote Chris Carmack, who started as guest star Link in season 15. This content is imported from Twitter. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Great news from Hollywoodland! Honored to be joining this esteemed crew!!! @GreysABC https://t.co/1cP9n4BhJA — Chris Carmack (@RealCarmack) May 10, 2019 "Dreams do come true,” shared Jake Borelli , who has played Dr. Levi “Glasses” Schmitt for the past two seasons. “#GreysAnatomy has been my home for the past two years, and saying that I’m over the moon excited about this doesn’t scratch the surface.” And while she isn't exactly new, Jasmine Guy is set to reprise her role as Gemma in the new season, according to Deadline. ICYMI: In season 15, Gemma showed up at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital with a stiletto lodged in her chest after a night of drinking. She eventually crossed paths with fellow Alcohol Anonymous group member Dr. Richard Webber, played by actor James Pickens Jr., and things got complicated. Let's get to the plot: Are Teddy and Owen together? They've had a pretty tumultuous relationship since their early days as army surgeons, but it looks like they're in a good place at the start of season 16. At the end of last season, Teddy gave birth to Owen's baby, and Owen declared his love for Teddy. In a recent interview with People, actress Kim Raver said she feels good about their relationship — so, promising? "I think Owen has done a lot of work on himself," she said. "I think they're in a really great place for this to be an amazing, amazing relationship. Of course, they did have poor Tom there doing the baby crib and eating a sandwich. I was like, 'Really?'" Richard Cartwright Getty Images As you'll remember, Tom is the third part of this relationship triangle, as he dated Teddy during her pregnancy and helped her prep for the arrival.<doc-sep>ABC’s medical drama Grey’s Anatomy continues to secure its place in TV history with a two-year renewal for seasons 16 and 17. The series’ star, Ellen Pompeo, is set for both seasons, along with the other original cast members. Additionally, ABC has renewed two other Shondaland series, Grey’s Anatomy spinoff Station 19 for a third season and How to Get Away with Murder for a sixth season (Legal drama For the People has been canceled). Grey’s Anatomy executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff will helm both the medical drama and Station 19, providing a seamless crossover narrative on both series. All series come from ABC Studios. This season, Grey’s Anatomy, created by Shonda Rhimes, surpassed NBC’s ER as the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history in number of episodes (341 to 331 for the NBC staple), Related Story 'How To Get Away With Murder' Renewed For Season 6 By ABC Now Grey’s Anatomy also will become the longest-running medical drama in a number of seasons, 17 vs. 15 for ER. Grey’s Anatomy, which also cemented its place last season in ABC’s history books as the network’s longest-running primetime scripted series, has continued to be a powerful ratings performer for the network as its top scripted series. Season-to-date, Grey’s has averaged a 2.8 rating and 3.6 million viewers in the key 18-49 demo and 10 million total viewers (Live+7). Its recent crossover episode with spinoff Station 19 was another boost for the series, which gave it its biggest audience in five weeks (700k viewers). Created and executive produced by Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy follows Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and the team of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial, who are faced with life-or-death decisions on a daily basis. They seek comfort from one another, and, at times, more than just friendship. Together they discover that neither medicine nor relationships can be defined in black and white. “Everyone at Shondaland is thrilled that our fans’ commitment to TGIT continues,” said Shonda Rhimes and producing partner Betsy Beers in a joint statement. “We are so proud of Krista and (HTGAWM’s) Pete (Nowalk) and the work they do. Making the choice to have Krista oversee Station 19 was easy — the creativity she brings to the Grey’s Anatomy universe continues a tradition of storytelling we hold dear.” Grey’s Anatomy stars Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson, Kelly McCreary as Maggie Pierce and Giacomo Gianniotti as Andrew DeLuca. Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Vernoff executive produce alongside Mark Gordon, Zoanne Clack, Debbie Allen, Fred Einesman, Andy Reaser and Meg Marinisare.<doc-sep>EXCLUSIVE: Grey’s Anatomy has upped three recurring players, Chris Carmack, Jake Borelli and Greg Germann, to series regulars for the just picked up 16th season of the popular medical drama. (Grey’s Anatomy received a two-year renewal for Seasons 16 and 17) Germann and Borelli have been recurring on the show for the past two seasons, while Carmack joined at the beginning of the current 15th season. “Chris, Jake, and Greg have been recurring for us as guest stars and have popped as fan favorites,” said Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff. “We are excited to continue revealing their characters and we are beyond thrilled to welcome them to the Grey’s Anatomy family.” Ally McBeal alum Germann plays Dr. Thomas Koracick, a brilliant neurosurgeon who is unapologetic in his arrogance, and in his romantic pursuits. Related Story 'Grey's Anatomy' Renewed For Record-Breaking Season 16 & 17 By ABC Borelli plays intern Levi “Glasses“ Schmitt, who is part of a major LGBTQ storyline on Grey’s with the introduction of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital’s first openly gay male character, Dr. Nico Kim (Alex Landi). Borelli’s character became part of the series’ first same-sex relationship involving two male doctors when Levi and Nico shared a kiss in an elevator. Moments after the episode aired in November, Borelli publicly came out as a gay man on Instagram. Carmack plays Dr. Atticus Lincoln a.k.a. Link, an ortho surgeon with a painful past and an optimistic outlook. He appeared in 20 episodes in his maiden season on the show. This is the second time Carmack has made a strong first impression. He also started as a recurring on the first season of Nashville, with his character Will Lexington quickly emerging as a fan favorite and Carmack getting promoted to a series regular for Season 2. Germann, who also has been recurring on $1 for CBS All Access as well as both seasons of Friends From College for Netflix, is repped by Abrams Artists Agency and managed by Silver Lining Entertainment. Borelli is repped by Abrams Artists Agency and Industry Entertainment.<doc-sep>
Meredith Grey is saving lives for at least two more years. Grey's Anatomy has been renewed for seasons 16 and 17 by ABC, the network announced Friday. Ellen Pompeo, who also serves a producer, inked a two-year deal in 2017 that kept her on the show through season 16. According to reports, Pompeo extended her contract through 2021, paving the way for the two-season pickup. News of Grey's renewal isn't surprising as ABC Entertainment President Karey Burketipped her hand in February of her plans to keep the medical drama at the network for the foreseeable future when she jumped the gun and said that there was at least one more season of the show. Burke, who was promoted to the top ABC job last November, revealed earlier this year that the network was "in conversations" about continuing Grey's past the upcoming 16th season, expressing confidence that "we will be planning more." It's been a landmark 15th season for Grey's, which surpassed ER as the longest-running primetime medical drama in February. "It's pretty extraordinary, and a little surreal. ER is such a television legacy and was such an extraordinary program. If ER didn't exist, Grey's wouldn't exist. So, we owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to ER, and to [executive producer] John Wells, and we are so grateful," showrunner and executive producer Krista Vernoff told ET in February. "This is exciting and monumental and a little crazy, and we're all just sort of walking around here looking at each other like, 'What?'" "With the 300th episode, we looked backward. It was a very nostalgic episode. It paid tribute to the whole length of the series. With this episode, we made the decision to look forward, and to celebrate how far we've come, and how far we have yet to go," Vernoff said of the record-breaking 332nd hour, adding at the time that she didn't see an end date just yet. "It seems like it could go on forever and I think that's our hope." Pompeo addressed the future of Grey's and was candid about when she'd hang up her scrubs as Meredith. "It's something Shonda [Rhimes] and I will decide together," Pompeo told ET's Denny Directo last October. "I've been doing it a long time and I do get restless, but the fans are just still so passionate about the show." "I think the fans will let us know," she added. "When the numbers start to drop and people aren't watching the same, people aren't as passionate about it... it's time to call it." Additionally, Grey's firefighter spinoff, Station 19, has been renewed for a third season and the Viola Davis-led How to Get Away With Murder will return for a sixth. Grey's showrunner Krista Vernoff will also run Station 19, following the departure of showrunner Stacy McKee. “I’m thrilled to continue at the helm of Grey’s Anatomy, and I’m honored and energized by the opportunity to run Station 19, as well. To expand upon the world Stacy McKee created, and further merge it with the world of Grey’s, is an exciting challenge,” Vernoff said. “Everyone at Shondaland is thrilled that our fans’ commitment to TGIT continues,” said Shonda Rhimes and producing partner Betsy Beers in a joint statement. “We are so proud of Krista and Pete [Nowalk] and the work they do. Making the choice to have Krista oversee Station 19 was easy -- the creativity she brings to the Grey’s Anatomy universe continues a tradition of storytelling we hold dear.” RELATED CONTENT: 'Grey's Anatomy' Creator Shonda Rhimes Raves About 'Legendary' Sandra Oh 'Grey's Anatomy': Caterina Scorsone on Amelia's Tense Family Reunion, Link Romance & Owen's Future (Exclusive) 'Grey's Anatomy': Camilla Luddington Says Jo's 'Devastating' Episode Haunts the Rest of the Season (Exclusive)