Grey's Anatomy has paused filming on season 18.
Digital Spy understands that Grey's and spin-off show Station 19 have both had to shut down due to the current COVID-19 surge in Southern California, where both shows film episodes.
This work stoppage impacts the current season 18 of Grey's Anatomy and the fifth season of Station 19, plus fellow ABC drama The Rookie (which is currently in its fourth season).
Production company ABC Signature has declined to comment on the reports of a production pause, while Digital Spy has also reached out directly to the network ABC for a response.
Unfortunately, this isn't the first time filming has had to stop for Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 during the pandemic. Both shows were among dozens temporarily shutting down back in 2020 when the virus began spreading worldwide.
This unfortunate news comes during what could turn out to be the final season for Grey's Anatomy since producers and ABC have yet to reach an agreement to renew the show.
What to Read Next
Meredith Grey star Ellen Pompeo candidly admitted last month that she's trying to come up with a way to end the long-running medical show that is satisfying for long-time fans.
"I've been trying to focus on convincing everybody that it should end," she told Insider. "I feel like I'm the super naive one who keeps saying, 'But what's the story going to be, what story are we going to tell? And everyone's like, 'Who cares, Ellen? It makes a gazillion dollars.'"
Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes recently told Variety she is "the person who decides when the show is over", though she admitted the ending for Dr Meredith Grey and her colleagues isn't set in stone.
Related: Grey's Anatomy's Ellen Pompeo supports talks for Jackson and April spin-off show
"I've written the end of that series, I want to say, a good eight times," the Shondaland boss said.
"I was like, 'And that will be the end!' Or, 'That'll be the final thing that's ever said or done!' And all of those things have already happened. So I give up on that..."
Grey's Anatomy season 18 airs on ABC in the US. In the UK, seasons 1-16 are streaming on Disney+, while season 18 is available via Sky Witness and NOW.
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Justin is a freelance entertainment journalist and writer. He first joined Digital Spy as a freelance entertainment reporter in 2010 and also worked as a sub-editor for the brand, serving as Night News Editor from 2016 to 2024. Over more than a decade, Justin has covered numerous major entertainment events from the US and has interviewed a wide-ranging group of public figures, from comedian Steve Coogan to icons from the Star Trek universe, cast members from the Marvel Cinematic Universe and reality stars from numerous Real Housewives cities and the Below Deck franchise. Justin has also been on the ground to cover major pop culture events like the Star Wars Celebration and the D23 Expo. He's written for titles across the Hearst network, plus the likes of CBR and Us Weekly.
