‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Boss on the Season 22 Premiere, How Often Ellen Pompeo Will Be On and Killing [SPOILER] After That OR Explosion

SPOILER ALERT: This interview includes significant spoilers from “Only the Strong Survive,” the Season 22 premiere of “Grey’s Anatomy.”

The specter of death looms once more over Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

In May, after deciding to detonate the hospital’s OR floor once again at the Season 21 finale’s climax, showrunner Meg Marinis indicated that every character—except for the mainstay Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Ben Warren (Jason Winston George)—was at risk of being cut from the roster.

As the 22nd season kicked off on October 9, viewers eagerly dissected images and teasers from the premiere, itching to see which characters remained safe from the impending doom. Among the mysteriously absent were Dr. Atticus “Link” Lincoln (Chris Carmack), who had just wed and was expecting twins with Dr. Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington); Dr. Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane) and Dr. Monica Beltran (Natalie Morales), who were engaged in surgery on a young patient; and Dr. Lucas Adams (Niko Terho), who was racing to alert Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) about the dangerous gas present in the OR.

“When crafting our story, we reflect on all those who faced peril and analyze the ripple effects of potentially eliminating a character from the narrative,” Marinis shared with Variety. “I genuinely did not wish for anyone to be killed off; it’s never enjoyable. However, sometimes the narrative demands it, and those choices are heart-wrenching. You become attached to both the character and the actor portraying them. Anyone on that OR floor was in jeopardy; we had discussions about all of their fates.”

The bustling premiere spans three primary storylines. Meredith inaugurates a nearby clinic and, aided by Dr. Simone Griffith (Alexis Floyd) and a fresh batch of interns, treats patients—including an intern injured in the explosion. Beltran, unable to lift an operating light that fell on her pelvis, guides Millin through an ongoing pediatric surgery. Meanwhile, Ben, his wife Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Dr. Winston Ndugu (Anthony Hill), Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), and Dr. Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) come together to rescue Link, who is trapped beneath rubble from the ceiling.

Ultimately, Marinis opted to have Beltran succumb to her injuries from internal bleeding. “The decision to kill off Monica came while I was crafting the OR scenes with her and Jules,” Marinis explained, revealing that she had not ended a doctor’s arc since becoming showrunner in Season 20. “I always envisioned her mentoring Jules during a surgical procedure. However, as I developed the scenes, it became increasingly evident that the narrative was steering in that direction.”

In the ensuing discussion, Marinis delves into her decision regarding Beltran’s demise and how it will reverberate through Millin, Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), and even Link; Meredith’s engagement in the rebuilding of her home base after her recent commitment to Grey Sloan; updates on the vast cast ensemble; and the landmark 450th episode scheduled for October 16.

What was Natalie Morales’ reaction when you informed her about Beltran’s death, and how did you collaborate on her character’s final moments in the premiere?

I had a challenging call with her; she’s incredibly professional. As a writer and director as well, she grasps the narrative. Initially, she wanted to ensure we crafted the most compelling story possible. We meticulously reviewed each scene together, with her providing feedback as I shared my vision. Those days were emotionally taxing to film, with her performance tugging at our hearts as we faced the reality of her departure.

“We aimed to illustrate what an extraordinary character Monica was: selfless and dedicated, ultimately dying while fulfilling her calling as a pediatric surgeon. Her primary focus was always the children. Their first interactions depicted how she would pull Jules from a moment of hesitation during surgery, culminating in this poignant circumstance. Jules, historically wary of children, will have her perspective forever altered, not to mention the profound impact this will have on Amelia.”

How will Beltran’s death influence Millin and Amelia moving forward?

Jules is definitely facing trauma from the OR, exacerbated by witnessing Monica’s final moments—a storyline we’ll delve into in Episode 2. Furthermore, Amelia’s reaction will also feature prominently; she bears immense guilt about not proceeding with the [Dylan Gatlin] surgery herself despite being taken hostage, leading her to shoulder some blame.

Monica’s premature departure will likely reignite discussions surrounding the controversial “bury your gays” trope. For fans who were eager to see Monica explore a romance with Amelia, what do you say to those who may feel disheartened by this turn of events?

My intention certainly wasn’t to fall into that trope, but I’m aware of its existence. I want to clarify that my desire was never to lose this character; that wasn’t the plan. The storyline led us here. While that relationship may never blossom, the impact of Monica’s death on Amelia will be significant, and we plan to honor her legacy moving forward with continued representation on the show.

Link’s outlook appeared grim for much of the episode—having suffered a penetrating chest injury, pneumothorax, and fractured ribs, along with requiring resuscitation—yet he ultimately survives. What does his recovery journey entail? Will there be lingering effects from his near-death experience?

There will certainly be both emotional and physical repercussions for Link. He will remain hospitalized in Episode 2, where we will address the hardships of his recovery, emphasizing both the lasting impact of the trauma he endured and the distress over the circumstances surrounding Monica’s death, questioning why he survived when she did not.

You mentioned previously that Meredith wanted to return to Grey Sloan more frequently to teach and operate. In light of this, Meredith ends up operating on an intern named Dani (Jade Pettyjohn), who sustained injuries from the blast. What do you aim to highlight with Meredith’s character arc in these opening episodes of the season?

What sets Meredith apart is her extensive experience with past hospital disasters. While the fear remains, she possesses an uncanny ability to compartmentalize her emotions to prioritize lifesaving efforts. She’s adept at improvisation and is unfazed by performing surgery in the clinic, contrasting sharply with the residents. She’s seen so much over the years that she serves as the dependable captain in turbulent times.

I also wanted to honor the impact of Meredith on aspiring medical professionals; countless individuals have pursued medicine because of her legacy, and I wanted to reflect that connection in the narrative, emphasizing how Dani has idolized her throughout her journey to becoming a doctor.

Will Dani appear in future story arcs, or is her story just a one-time feature?

You will definitely see her again.

What can we expect regarding Meredith’s role this season? Is Ellen Pompeo still set to feature in seven episodes, continuing her narration for each episode?

Yes, her presence will closely resemble previous seasons, and we are eager to showcase her as much as possible. It will hinge on scheduling, but she will have significant screen time, especially early in the season.

How involved will Meredith be in the hospital’s reconstruction efforts?

She will be substantially engaged. With the OR floor compromised, the number of operational surgeries is drastically reduced, and Episode 2 acknowledges the cancellation of all elective procedures. This means a heavier burden falls on trauma surgeries, and Meredith will play a crucial role alongside Richard in the rebuilding process.

Scott Speedman’s “RJ Decker” pilot recently received a series order at ABC. Given Meredith and Nick’s ongoing relationship, can we expect to see Nick in upcoming episodes? Have you discussed with Scott how to manage his schedule on both shows?

Yes, Nick will make an appearance early this season. He enjoys being part of the Grey’s family, and I’m thrilled to see him on screen in both productions. We’ll work out the schedule as best as we can; it’s all about balancing opportunities for him while ensuring he remains part of our story.

At the premiere’s conclusion, Meredith tells Richard that despite the devastation, they will rebuild, emphasizing that “rebuilding” is likely the season’s central theme. Would you agree with that?

It is indeed a theme of rebuilding, but there’s also a strong element of hope—who helps us rediscover it when we feel defeated, and what keeps that hope alive within us?

While focused on Dani, Meredith remains unaware that Simone has been working with Dr. Wes Bryant (Trevor Jackson), the surgical intern she had a brief liaison with during her break from Lucas. By the end of the episode, Simone confesses to Lucas about her one-night stand. How will Lucas react, and how will their relationship evolve now that they are all working in the same hospital?

He’s not aware of the identity of the other person yet, so that tension is set to unfold further. Simone’s blurted confession stems from a desire for transparency; she believes disclosing this would compel Lucas to understand why they shouldn’t reconcile at this stage. She’s currently caught in confusion about her recent interactions with Wes, grappling with her feelings while trying to remain honest. She aims to avoid rekindling her relationship with Lucas unless she can truly move past this other connection, which complicates her feelings considerably.

Teddy is still processing her separation from Owen and admits uncertainty about their future. What can you share regarding her character’s trajectory, both personally and professionally?

Teddy will find herself embracing the challenges of her chief role and juggling the aftermath of the hospital crisis. Having previously excelled as a trauma surgeon, she now grapples with balancing her past self with her current administrative role, often reflecting on whether her previous decisions—such as terminating Ben—were misguided as she witnesses his adeptness in the current chaos. I’m excited to see her return to her roots as a trauma surgeon.

After successfully saving Link, Teddy reevaluates her stance on Ben, allowing him to continue his residency at Grey Sloan. What’s on the horizon for Ben this season?

We’ll be shifting away from narratives depicting Ben as a laggard and focusing more on his development as a leader—earning recognition from both Bailey and his colleagues for his contributions.

Winston faces the difficult task of consoling Jules and breaking the news about Beltran’s death to Amelia. What’s next for him in the unfolding narrative?

Winston’s career is positioned for an upswing following his collaboration with Teddy, leading to recognition for his achievements. We will continue to explore complex cases and the evolving dynamics between him and Jules. Though he intends to be a supportive colleague without crossing boundaries, the underlying feelings will persist as we unravel their story further.

The 450th episode marks your first major milestone as the show’s showrunner. The synopsis hints at “Meredith spending time with Amelia.” What can you disclose about this episode?

The relationship between the sisters is core to the series, and the 450th episode melds nostalgia with high-stakes medical drama. You can expect familiar concepts presented anew, creating a celebratory nod to the essence of the show while also advancing the narrative arc set in motion in the season premiere.

Phylicia Rashad attended the 450th episode celebration recently because she is directing an episode. Did Debbie Allen play a role in bringing Phylicia on board?

Absolutely, we have Debbie to thank for that! Their closeness made it possible. While I’m not sure if Phylicia has seen every episode, it’s an honor to have her directing. Speaking with her was surreal for me, given her status as an icon in television. Their camaraderie represents a moment of pure excellence.

Is there anything else you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?

Those babies are indeed on the way!

Regarding Jo and Link’s babies—will that happen within the first half of the season?

Yes, it will!

Are you still navigating the same challenges as last season in terms of the series regulars’ presence due to industry-wide budget constraints?

Yes, we’re managing a similar situation, which requires significant logistical planning. However, we’re skilled at handling these transitions and finding solutions to keep the narrative vibrant.

Are there plans to address current Medicaid cuts or consider the broader political climate in your storytelling?

While we aren’t a political drama, we certainly aim to explore real-life issues through the lens of our doctors. Over 22 years, “Grey’s” has adapted to contemporary circumstances, remaining focused on how these events impact medical practice and patient care, rather than political perspectives.

I ask because “The Pitt” seems to be engaged with current political issues in its second season. Being someone who’s firmly rooted in the medical drama world, have you had a chance to watch it?

I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve certainly caught some episodes. I think it’s great that there are so many medical dramas, each offering unique narratives. The genre has immense value and isn’t a competition among shows; what elevates one contributes to the success of all.

This interview has been edited and condensed.