The explosion at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital could mean not every cast member is returning to Grey’s Anatomy for season 22.
During the May 2025 finale of the hit ABC series, Piper Perabo played a mother of a patient who brought a highly flammable acetylene tank into the operating room to force Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) to perform a high-risk surgery to save her daughter. The hostage situation included interns Simone (Alexis Floyd) and Adams (Niko Terho) at risk while Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) tried to save them before it was too late.
Despite performing the operation successfully, the tank was accidentally opened, which let the flammable contents leak onto the operating floor. The final moments of the finale showed an explosion that only Meredith and Warren (Jason George) officially survived — for now.
While showrunner Meg Marinis wouldn’t confirm who was injured in the blast, she made it clear that almost no one was guaranteed to return for season 22. Keep scrolling for a breakdown of which characters were where when the explosion went off — including their chances at survival:
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Dr. Meredith Grey
Pompeo originally announced in November 2022 that she was stepping back Grey’s Anatomy after appearing in 400 episodes of the series. She has since reprised her role — and continued to provide voiceover for the show — throughout the seasons that followed.
“We don’t quite know the answer to [in what capacity Ellen will return in season 22] yet, but as much as she’s willing to come hang out and play with us, we will have her!” Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter in May 2025. “We try to do that just so that we can accommodate her schedule. She likes to develop and produce other projects.”
Marinis continued: “So what usually happens is that in the beginning of the season I talk to her about her availability and what she’s looking for, so it’s a cooperation between her and the show. I mean, she’s been there for 22 years. She is able to have a say in what it might look like.”
Dr. Miranda Bailey
Last viewers saw Miranda (Chandra Wilson), she was on the operating floor, which puts her at risk of being a casualty of the explosion.
Dr. Richard Webber
According to Marinis, the future of most of the staff hasn’t been decided.
“Well, I feel like a lot of people are probably sitting in operating rooms,” she told THR. “So unless you saw them and where they were when that explosion went off, I don’t think we can say anyone is necessarily safe.”
Dr. Owen Hunt
Before the cliffhanger, Teddy (Kim Raver) officially ended her marriage to husband Owen (Kevin McKidd).
“That book is very long, and obviously, they’re forever tied to one another, when you’re in war with one another and have children together. But I am interested in it. It was really interesting to see that story play out this season and to see both of those characters still able to kind of light up and smile with other people,” Marinis shared. “I think a lot of people were wondering where their [open marriage] experiment was going.”
She continued: “But Nora [Floriana Lima] really fell in love with Owen and I think Teddy really had something for Cass [Sophia Bush], even though Cass is happily married. It was really fun to see those two characters have chemistry with others and I feel like they really did have chemistry between the actors, too.”
Dr. Teddy Altman
Raver could also not return to season 22 after going through major personal changes on screen.
Dr. Amelia Shepherd
Amelia is another character who isn’t exactly safe ahead of the new season.
“But even in the last two seasons with what you saw this year, we had to reduce the cast a little bit [because of industry-wide budget cuts], and everybody has very passionate feelings about their favorite characters,” Marinis shared. “But if we can get the writers upset then we know we’re doing it right. It’s not as satisfying a story if people aren’t upset when someone leaves. It’s supposed to make people upset and sad, so I’m sure there’ll be some arguments. But I’ve been persuaded before to change my mind on things.”
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Dr. Jo Wilson
Marinis was asked about Jo — who revealed she is pregnant before the cliffhanger — during the tell-all with THR. “We saw Jo outside the building,” she added. “But we didn’t see her leave, so it just depends on what exit she took, I guess.”
Dr. Ben Warren
Marinis told THR that Warren was seen running back into the building so he is safe, adding, “Well, he’s alive, but he doesn’t have a job. But he is still married to Bailey!”
Dr. Levi Schmitt
Jake Borelli, played Dr. Levi Schmitt on Grey’s Anatomy for seven seasons. He left the long-running ABC medical drama during season 21 — but returned for Jo’s wedding.“I have a big enough cast as it is!” Marinis explained to THR. “We will maybe have people who guest a couple times. But no, we have plenty of people that we’re very happy with.”
Dr. Atticus Lincoln
Since Atticus wasn’t seen outside of the hospital, he is also on the list of possible victims.
“I hope we get to next season, right?” Carmack told Us in May 2025. “I mean, hey, I’m not gonna give anything away.”
Dr. Winston Ndugu
Winston is the other addition to the unclear cast status heading into season 22.
Dr. Simone Griffith
“We will see him in season 22, yes. Even though he was in both of these episodes for just a little bit, he walked in with such a presence where we know it’s going to be dynamic. He is someone who has that confidence that not many young interns have,” Marinis confirmed. “That’s really interesting to see someone at the lower level of their career acting like he’s chief at the hospital. Also, what is that going to mean for this class above him [that includes Simone and Adams] who will be having to supervise and teach him?”
Dr. Benson “Blue” Kwan
Despite the unclear future for season 22, Marinis has spoken with the cast about what to expect, telling THR, “I’ve had conversations with some of them, but they all know it’s a Grey’s Anatomy cliffhanger and they know every year they never know what to expect. They’re here for it. They like to keep our stories exciting and fresh.”
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Dr. Jules Millin
Jules was also on the operating room floor, with Marinis saying, “When I wrote the script and I was going through that final montage, I was just like, ‘I’m going to put these people here.’ Then even after the table read, I added somebody on that OR floor. I put Jules going up there.
Dr. Mika Yasuda
During the interview, Marinis revealed that no decisions on who could return have been decided.
“We go back in the writers’ room on Monday. I definitely have thoughts,” she teased. “Whether or not those thoughts change, that can always happen. I haven’t put pen to paper yet, but it’ll be very soon that I do.”
Dr. Lucas Adams
Marinis confirmed to THR that Adams “was also running up to the operating floor, so we have to add him to the list then.”
Dr. Monica Beltran
Can you guess where Monica was when the explosion happened? The operating room floor.
