‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Sets Extended Break For Main Cast Member: Find Out When They Will Return - Deadline

Original story by: Deadline Last updated: Oct 17, 2025
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Sets Extended Break For Main Cast Member: Find Out When They Will Return - Deadline

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  • Context: This article discusses the storyline and future of Amelia Shepherd, a main character in ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," following a significant event in the Season 21 finale. It details her decision to take a sabbatical and its implications for actress Caterina Scorsone's screen time in the upcoming season.
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  • Detailed Summary:
    • Following a deadly explosion at Grey Sloan, Amelia Shepherd is deeply affected because the patient's mother was responsible for the blast.
    • Overwhelmed and unable to cope, Amelia has announced she will be taking a sabbatical at the end of Season 21.
    • Actress Caterina Scorsone, who plays Amelia, will be absent for approximately the next eight episodes and is expected to return in 2026.
    • This extended break is framed within a new cost-saving measure for veteran cast members, who are now contracted for 14 out of 18 episodes per season, with Scorsone specifically doing 10 out of 18 for this season.
    • Amelia's sabbatical is an intentional part of her storyline for the 2025-26 season, with her absence believed to be consecutive.
    • Scorsone remains a series regular, and Amelia's character, a fan favorite with deep ties to the show's history, will continue to be part of the narrative.
    • Executive producer Meg Marinis indicated that Amelia's medical endeavors and her decision to operate on Dylan, which she now views as a moment of hubris, will be explored further.
    • Amelia is struggling with guilt over her decision to take Dylan's case, which she feels contributed to the death of her friend, Dr. Monica Beltran, and Dylan's current critical condition.
    • Dylan remains in a locked-in state after two surgeries, a condition that may improve later in the season, potentially before or after Amelia's return.

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