Grey's Anatomy season 17 is not coming anytime soon on ABC due to the current health crisis. But, once the series premieres, this particular real-life event could be the focus of the new installment. We could likely see the doctors dealing with some sort of outbreak.
Pandemic is one of the hardest things to handle, especially since a lot of people are affected by it. Grey's Anatomy season 17 might address this particular health crisis once the series arrives. In fact, showrunner Krista Vernoff said they are doing whatever they can to make the stories feel authentic.
Aside from coming up with stories about the current health crisis, they are also talking to real doctors on the front lines. During the Television Academy panel, Vernoff said they will surely address the pandemic and its impact on the characters in the new season.
Given that the series is a long-running medical show, there's no way they won't do this medical story of their lifetimes. Vernoff revealed real doctors come in and talk with them and shared about the type of experiences they're having while dealing with the pandemic.
She said the doctors are talking about the current health crisis as a war that they were not trained for. This is, also, one of their biggest conversations about Kevin McKidd's Owen Hunt since he served in the Army. This character is trained for that most doctors aren't.
The first part of Grey's Anatomy season 17 might be tough for everyone and the originally planned story might be scrapped or aired later on. Since it is a different world now, it only makes sense the series focuses on something relevant.
Grey's Anatomy season 17 won't probably pick up the events that happened in season 16 finale. Most stories will now be moved and could shift into different directions. And, based on what Vernoff said, the early run will focus on what's important now -- the current health crisis.
Meanwhile, the series hasn't yet started production but it could probably start in the coming months. Yet, nothing is certain at the moment and everything depends on the situation. Cast and crew can begin filming as long as the situation goes back to normal or at least gets a little bit better.
Previously, ABC teased that Grey's Anatomy season 17's schedule remains on Thursday night and it is "coming soon." However, because of the production delay, we could expect the new installment to arrive at a later date. While it could arrive in the fall, there's also a possibility it will be released in 2021.
