Ellen Pompeo gave fans a glimpse of Grey's Anatomy Season 17's return on set amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The 50-year-old star shared a behind-the-scenes photo as the filming for the new season began.
Pompeo and the rest of the cast and crew had to stop the previous season's production due to the widespread of coronavirus then. At the time, they were four episodes short of completing season 16.
In Pompeo's Instagram post, she was beside Richard Flood, who plays the role of Dr. Cormac Hayes. The two donned face masks as part of the new normal, following on-set safety protocols.
In the caption, she revealed it was the first time she wore her scrub suit again. She also addressed the demise of some medical frontliners, saying 7,000 healthcare workers died due to COVID-19 since they were forced to shut down the show's filming.
Hence, Pompeo dedicated Grey's Anatomy Season 17 to all "who had fallen" and to everyone who remained standing until today through the "grace of God." She went on to say that the new season would be for them with "humility and a bit of humor" to get them "through and endless amounts of gratitude." With their work, she hoped they would make them proud.
View this post on InstagramFirst time back in my scrubs... since we shut down filming 7000 healthcare workers have died from Covid. I dedicate my season 17 to all who have fallen and to everyone of you who by the grace of God is still standing... this season is for you with humility and a bit of humor to get us through and endless amounts of gratitude. I hope we do you proud @greysabc #seasonseventeen @richardfloodofficial A post shared by Ellen Pompeo (@ellenpompeo) on Sep 8, 2020 at 4:47pm PDT
According to People, the show's executive producer, Krista Vernoff, earlier revealed the new season would feature the current global health crisis. In an interview with the Television Academy in July, she said there was no way that a long-running medical show would not address the "medical story of our lifetimes."
Vernoff also confirmed that Grey's Anatomy writers had been in meetings with real doctors to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this, they had incredibly influenced the show's writing process.
Grey's Anatomy Season 17's storyline has been hitting the headlines for the past few months. As it will feature the coronavirus, Kevin McKidd, who plays as Owen Hunt, will have a very significant role this time given that he has an experience as a military doctor, Digital Spy noted.
When the previous season ended, Meredith (Pompeo) found it hard to help her troubled ex-boyfriend, Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti). She was also contemplating the introduction of Cormac' McWidow' Hayes (Richard Flood).
Vernoff told TVLine that even she herself was torn who among these guys Meredith would choose. Sadly, fans still have to wait for the announcement as to when Grey's Anatomy Season 17 will once again hit the small screens.
