Grey's Anatomy at Paleyfest 2023!

by Sara Clark

Dolby Theater, Los Angeles- Paleyfest 2023 continues with a television veteran of almost two decades, Grey's Anatomy. Let me save you the trouble of pulling out the Calculator app on your phone, the show has been on the air for 18 years. It’s an almost sobering realization that this titan of a series has been running since 2005, at a time when the word “streaming” would be strictly used to describe the flow of water. If Greys Anatomy were personified, it would be graduating high school in June and voting in elections in November.

If for some reason you are unfamiliar with Grey's Anatomy, the series revolves around the titular Meredith Grey and other young doctors at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital. Episodes primarily revolve around Grey as she balances the challenges of her surgical profession (double-check this) with the relationships of her colleagues. The daily escapades of surgical procedures and rendezvous with fellow peers have gotten and kept the attention of millions of viewers. ABC sure isn’t unhappy with the ratings, and it could be argued that it is one of the studio's most successful projects.

Long-time viewers of the show, now reaching 400 episodes, know that Grey's Anatomy is synonymous with dramatic television. However, the future of the series is called into question now that show front-runner Ellen Pompeo announced her departure in November of 2022.

However, my arrival on day two of PaleyFest LA did confirm to me that the show was not in any danger, at least not anytime soon. Even with the absence of Ellen Pompeo from the panel, the audience roared with excitement as each actor was introduced, even the new incoming interns of the season. People loudly applauded the advanced screening of upcoming Episode 13 Cowgirls Don’t Cry, and the excitement continued to the panel.

I’ll keep my explanations of the show-related material brief for those who want a spoiler-free version.

The panel layout seemed to represent how Grey’s Anatomy was pushing forward. Hosted by T. R. Knight (Dr. George O'Malley for longtime fans), Longtime cast members Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey), James Pickens Jr (Dr. Richard Webber), Kim Raver (Dr. Teddy Altman), Caterina Scorsone (Dr. Amelia Shepherd),