Meredith Grey has mostly been flying solo on Grey's Anatomy ever since the untimely passing of her true love McDreamy, but showrunner Krista Vernoff said that's going to change in Season 15. Vernoff confirmed love is definitely in the air for the talented surgeon in the upcoming season, and clarified ABC president Channing Dungey's previous comments that asserted the exact opposite sentiment.
Channing was keeping it mellow and trying to avoid spoilers because Shondaland is secrecy land. But as the showrunner, I can confirm for you that Meredith Grey is very much a part of our Season of Love.
Grey's Anatomy fans who have been with the show since early on in the McDreamy days know it's a big deal for Meredith to once again find love. Sure, she's had short-lived flings with Dr. Thorpe and Nathan Riggs, but neither really reached the level of seriousness that Krista Vernoff is teasing for the upcoming episodes. TVLine reported Vernoff's goal for Season 15 is to feature much more light-hearted and joyous plots than those from the past couple of years, and if that means putting Ellen Pompeo's character back in the saddle in terms of romance for the code-named "Season of Love," then we're ready for it.
As for who will serve as the target of Meredith's affections in Season 15, Krista Vernoff isn't ready to divulge such info just yet. One thing that seems certain, though, is that it won't be fan-favorite Nick Marsh, whom Vernoff confirmed lit a fire under Meredith and added the "ready to mingle" component to her current single status.
Yes, [Mer]'s a single mom, and that complicates a dating life. And yes, she's a surgical marvel with new, game-changing medical ideas she'll be pursuing. But she also hasn't dated at all since [Martin Henderson's] Nathan Riggs left [in Season 13]. And the one-two punch of meeting [Scott Speedman's] Nick Marsh awoke a desire in her that she can't put back to sleep. The question this season, is not 'Will Meredith Grey find love again?' but 'With whom will she find love?'
Many Grey's Anatomy fans are no doubt delighted by this news, and saying there's some pressure on the show's creative team to get Meredith's next romance right is an understatement. Meredith and Derek's relationship was so beloved by viewers that some are actually outraged that Patrick Dempsey and Ellen Pompeo aren't living happily ever after in real life. Suffice to say the next guy in the hot seat will have to be pretty impressive to gain the same acclaim, and even then it may not be enough for either Meredith or her ship-ready fanatics.
Fans will just have to wait and see how things go, as Grey's Anatomy returns for Season 15 with a two-hour premiere on Thursday, September 25, at 8:00 p.m. ET. For more on Grey's Anatomy check out Shonda Rhimes' reason for why the show didn't bring back Callie. Those curious about what other shows will be debuting around that time would do well to check out our summer and fall premiere guides.
