The original cast consisted of nine star-billed actors: Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, T. The show received a 24-episode eighth season renewal, [212] which commenced on September 22, 2011, with a 2-hour episode, and ended on May 17, 2012. The season 3 finale also shows Burke's exit from the show, after leaving Yang at the altar on their wedding day.

The fifteenth season saw the introduction of Atticus "Link" Lincoln, as a new orthopedic surgeon, while the sixteenth season saw the introduction of Cormac Hayes, a new pediatric surgeon, and Winston Ndugu, a new cardiothoracic surgeon. The season finale also sees Altman being courteously fired by Hunt as she struggles to decide whether or not to take the job as Chief at the United States Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). A drama centered on the personal and professional lives of five surgical interns and their supervisors. Thursday final ratings: 'Grey's Anatomy,' 'How to Get Away with Murder' adjusted up, low CW premieres hold".more specials were produced during the show's third season, entitled "Complications of the Heart" and "Every Moment Counts", which were narrated by Bailey and Morgan, respectively.

In March 2014, it was announced that Isaiah Washington, who portrayed Preston Burke in the first 3 seasons of the show, would make a guest appearance to coincide with the departure of series regular Sandra Oh, his former on-screen love-interest. However, all plans are put on hold when several doctors from Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital are engaged in a plane crash, which kills Lexie and endangers Meredith, Shepherd, Yang, Sloan and Robbins in the season 8 finale.Big Bang Theory,' 'Grey's Anatomy' adjust up, 'Mom,' 'Supernatural,' 'Arrow' down: Thursday final ratings". Shonda Rhimes wanted to make a show that she would enjoy watching, [115] and thought it would be interesting to create a show about "smart women competing against one another".