'Grey's Anatomy' returns for Season 21: Premiere date, time, cast, where to watch

Yes, "Grey's Anatomy" is still alive and healthy more than 20 seasons later.

ABC's longest running medical drama will premiere its 21st season later this month. After the season 20 finale aired in May, the inner turmoil between the staff at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is just ramping up.

Catherine Fox (Debbie Allen) continues to vex her staff after Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) quit to pursue her Alzheimer's disease research against orders. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Chief of Surgery Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) also realized their staff cards have been deactivated for their complicity in the secret research trial.

Season 21 will also follow up on Richard Webber's (James Pickens Jr.) decision to retire, Jo Wilson (Camila Ludington) finding out she's pregnant and the consequences of the interns standing up for Lucas Adams (Niko Terho), who may have to repeat his first-year of residency again after a patient's wrongful death.

The new season marks the first without sister series "Station 19," the firefighter series "Grey's" frequently crossed over until its May conclusion. Jason George, who starred in the series as Ben Warren for seven seasons, will return in recurring role to play Miranda Bailey's (Chandra Wilson) beloved husband.

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Here's what to know about Season 21 of "Grey's Anatomy."

When does 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21 premiere?

"Grey's Anatomy" Season 21 returns on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. on ABC.

How to watch 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21

The Season 21 premiere of "Grey's Anatomy" will air on ABC. Fans can also stream the episode on Hulu Friday morning.

The first 20 seasons of the series are available to stream on both Netflix and Hulu. Netflix typically adds new seasons of "Grey's Anatomy" after a season wraps up and the same is expected for Season 21.

How many episodes of Season 21 will there be?

Season 21 of "Grey's Anatomy" will have 18 episodes, an increase from only 10 episodes in Season 20.

Last season was shortened by the actors' and writers' strikes last year. The medical drama typically premieres new seasons in the fall and concludes in the spring.

Jackson Avery and Sydney Heron return to Grey-Sloan

Long-time "Grey's" viewers will notice some familiar faces in Season 21.

Jesse Williams will see the return of fan favorite Dr. Jackson Avery in a guest star role, People reported.

Kali Rocha's Dr. Sydney Heron will also return to series for the first time since 2007, back when the hospital was still named "Seattle Grace." She previously played a quirky and often irritating surgical resident in the show's early seasons.

"You should expect some funny interactions between Sydney and some of our newer characters who've never met her," showrunner Meg Marinis told Entertainment Weekly. "Her ‘healing with love’ philosophy and her kind of quirky nature is a little different for some."

Is Meredith Grey back on Grey's Anatomy?

Meredith Grey will appear in at least seven of Season 21’s 18 episodes, according to Deadline.

In August 2022, Pompeo announced she would have a limited appearance on season 19 and has continued to be in a small portion of seasons since. However, she continues to serve as an executive produce and offer her staple voiceover narrations in each episode.