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Changes are afoot for the landmark Grey's Anatomy season 20. One of the longest-running primetime shows on air right now, the medical drama has done a significant amount of shape-shifting across its nearly two decades on ABC, and season 20 will be no different.
Last season, Grey's Anatomy experienced one of its most significant casting changes to date when leading cast member Ellen Pompeo extensively reduced her on-screen role as titular character Meredith Grey. Due to her role in an upcoming Hulu limited series, Pompeo only appeared in eight of season 19's 20 episodes, though she still narrated episodes.
Going into season 20, Grey's Anatomy fans are eager to learn which cast members will be back, which will be leaving, who might be making a return trip to the hospital, and — of course — how often we'll get to see Meredith Grey onscreen. We're sharing the confirmed main cast members, recurring cast members, and guest stars who have been announced.
Grey's Anatomy season 20 main cast
Unfortunately, Ellen Pompeo won't be credited as a series regular for season 20, which will be a first for the series since day one. Kelly McCreary also left the series after season 19 and will not be credited as a series regular, as she had been since season 11.
Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr., who have been with the series since the first season, will return for season 20, as will fellow series mainstays Kevin McKidd, Caterina Scorsone, Camilla Luddington, and Kim Raver. Newer cast members Jake Borelli, Chris Carmack, and Anthony Hill are back for season 20, as are season 19's new group of cast members Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Midori Francis, and Niko Terho.
Check out the full main cast of season 20:
- Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey
- James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber
- Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt
- Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd
- Camilla Luddington as Jo Wilson
- Kim Raver as Teddy Altman
- Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt
- Chris Carmack as Atticus Lincoln
- Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu
- Alexis Floyd as Simone Griffith
- Harry Shum Jr. as Benson "Blue" Kwan
- Adelaide Kane as Jules Millin
- Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda
- Niko Terho as Lucas Adams
Ellen Pompeo will return to season 20 for 4 episodes
As previously mentioned, Ellen Pompeo won't return as a series regular in Grey's Anatomy season 20. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Pompeo will be in at least four episodes of season 20, though the option for the actress to appear in more is on the table. Keep in mind, though, that the season will only contain 10 episodes due to the writers' and actors' strike delays.
Due to her commitments to her forthcoming Hulu limited series, which remains in pre-production, Pompeo wasn't anticipated to participate much in Grey's season 20 beyond her narration. But after she appeared in the season 20 first look, murmurs of a potentially "big storyline" for Meredith in the season began swirling, even though she had been written out after season 19.
Here's who has been confirmed to recur in season 20 so far:
- Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey
- Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox
- Alex Landi as Nico Kim
- Jaicy Elliott as Taryn Helm
- Scott Speedman as Nick Marsh
- Freddy Miyares as Dorian
A former fan-favorite returns to guest star
While long-time fans will be bummed Meredith isn't back in a full-time capacity again, ABC delivered quite the treat when it was revealed Jessica Capshaw will be back as Arizona Robbins. Capshaw joined the series in season 5 in a recurring capacity before becoming a series regular for season 6 through season 14. She appeared in 214 episodes as her character Arizona Robbins.
Along with Capshaw, season 20 will also welcome Natalie Morales, who you will recognize from White Collar, Parks and Recreation, Dead to Me, No Hard Feelings, and more popular titles. Morales appears in season 20 as pediatric surgeon Monica Beltran. It's going to be interesting to see how Monica interacts with the team and what she brings to the series.
These are the guest stars for season 20 so far:
- Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins
- Natalie Morales as Monica Beltran
Stay tuned for more Grey's Anatomy news and updates from Netflix Life!
Grey's Anatomy season 20 premieres Thursday, March 14 at 9/8c on ABC. Watch seasons 1-19 now on Netflix.