If there's anything Grey's Anatomy [1] has taught us with the beginning of season 17, it's that we can never say they don't have anymore tricks up their sleeve. From the deft handling of COVID-19 to the surprise appearance of Patrick Dempsey's late Derek Shepherd [2], the season hasn't paused to catch its breath. And by the looks of the preview for upcoming episodes, that's not going to stop anytime soon!
Meredith has COVID-19, and while the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital work to save her life, she's dreaming of her late husband and emotional beachside reunions. Derek hasn't said much to his wife other than to tease her, tell her that he loves her, and try to make her understand that they won't be able to reunite yet. "When you're ready, I'll be right here," he tells her, hinting that while Meredith may be sick for now, it isn't quite her time to join him in the afterlife. But that doesn't mean Meredith won't be making the most of her time in "limbo." The next episode is hinted to introduce another returning character from Meredith's past [3] that will provide her with some sort of joy or wisdom as the final episode of Dempsey's return [4] draws near.
But, as a few Grey's fans have found, there seems to be a handful of actors that might be making their reappearance, according to IMDB. We can't say for sure if any of them will actually make a return or just be mentioned in passing, but if they do show up, we have some ideas on how and why it might all go down. Keep reading for our ideas on who will return for season 17!
Will Arizona Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
We haven't seen Jessica Capshaw's Arizona since the character left Seattle to move to New York, where ex-wife Callie (Sara Ramirez) resides. The move was to make it easier for their daughter Sofia, allowing her to stop splitting time between her parents. While Capshaw wasn't the one to decide to leave Grey's, her exit was a graceful one, and it allows for an easy return.
The second episode of the season introduced a woman who unexpectedly gave birth to a baby girl who had been attached to her mother's liver. It makes complete sense that one of the Grey Sloan doctors would call one of the only fetal surgeons in the country and their former chief of pediatrics to give her expert advice on how to handle such a tricky case. And her presence — whether it's virtual or in-person — would naturally lead to the return of her ex-wife! (If they're still divorced, that is.)
Will Callie Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
Sara Ramirez's Callie left Seattle to live in New York with her girlfriend, Penny, though the two later broke up before her ex-wife Arizona moved to join her with their daughter in New York. If Arizona were to return, it would only make sense that Callie was along for the ride! It's a fairly good chance that the two made it work and got back together, judging by the text messages they were exchanging in Arizona's final episodes. So, if someone from Grey Sloan reached out to Arizona about their complicated newborn patient, Callie would likely be in the picture as well.
Will George Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
Although T. R. Knight's George O'Malley has been gone for a long time now, if Meredith is going around talking to all her dead loved ones on a beach, he would definitely be one to show up! George's friendship had such a profound effect on Meredith, it wouldn't be surprising if he were one of the people giving her a bit of peace of mind while she's in turmoil.
Knight is listed as being in the show in 2020, which definitely lends some credibility to the idea that he could be making an appearance. Like Derek, he wouldn't have to do much other than be his usual charming self! And considering that Knight and Ellen Pompeo [6] are such good friends, it isn't hard to believe that they would make it work.
Will Ellis Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
It feels like kind of a given that one of the people Meredith would see in her version of limbo would be her late mother. Kate Burton's Ellis has always been a powerful figure in her daughter's life, and if this beachside limbo is a way for Meredith to sort out how she feels about her life (which these sort of stories tend to be), her mother's guidance is definitely needed.
Will Stephanie Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
While it may seem odd to include Jerrika Hinton's Stephanie because she left Seattle to explore life outside working in a hospital, I think it could lend itself to be a great way for her introduction! With the world dumbstruck due to COVID, it would be exactly the motivation needed for Stephanie to get back into the game of medicine and helping people with her skills. She could find her way back to Grey Sloan as a travelling doctor or in another profession that finds her crossing paths with one of the characters — especially since she never came back for Alex and Jo's wedding! (Though that's probably a good thing now [7], considering.)
Will Christina Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
I don't think I even need to find a reason why Sandra Oh [8]'s Christina could come back. It's a day that ends in "y," how's that for a reason!? It seems too good to be true that Oh is listed as being part of the show in 2020, but if this season is Meredith and Pompeo's swan song, she absolutely has to make an appearance. If there's anyone who would appear at Meredith's bedside while she's deathly ill, it's her person!
Will April Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
Sarah Drew isn't listed to be back on the show this year, and her exit wasn't exactly amicable [9], so it's highly unlikely that she'll be coming around this season. But with Jackson's mention of his custody arrangement for Harriet, it felt like it would lead to some kind of appearance! Maybe? Okay, probably not.
Will Lexie Appear in Grey's Anatomy Season 17?
Chyler Leigh's Lexie is currently fans' biggest guess for Meredith's next visitor on the beach. It makes 100 percent sense for why she would appear to her sister, and it would definitely be an emotional reunion, so here's hoping everyone's right! Leigh isn't listed as being on the show in 2020, but maybe that's Grey's being coy about her possible appearance.