While several shows have taken extended hiatuses or delayed premieres due to the current global health crisis (most recently the CW’s The Flash and Stargirl) ABC’s longest-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy had decided not resume production on the current 16th season, but instead end it early on April 9th.
Grey’s Anatomy was set to end its current season with a total of 25 episodes, but the series stopped production a couple weeks ago along with several other shows. Instead of resuming production and finishing off the remaining four episodes, showrunner and executive producer Krista Vernoff revealed over her Twitter that they’ve made the decision not to return to production with the upcoming 21st episode, the last they completed filming before shutdown, now set to act as a season finale.
“We are disappointed that we don’t get to complete our storytelling this season,” Vernoff said. “The good news? 1621 plays like a satisfying finale! It’s not where we planned to end, but it’s beautiful & the questions that linger we will answer next year.” She later clarified for fans the 17th season will follow this season’s storylines.
We are disappointed that we don’t get to complete our storytelling this season. The good news? 1621 plays like a satisfying finale! It’s not where we planned to end, but it’s beautiful & the questions that linger we will answer next year. #GreysAnatomy #StayHome pic.twitter.com/BsHV9vJUiJ
— Krista Vernoff (@KristaVernoff) March 28, 2020
As for the remaining four episodes of the season, it is possible the next season will fold them into its episode order for a lengthened season or just scrap them altogether.
