It has been more than two decades since the pilot episode of Greyâs Anatomy aired, and itâs still going strong with the 22nd season. ABCâs hugely popular medical drama continues to keep fans guessing whatâs next, which only testifies to creator Shonda Rhimes and her teamâs mettle in proving that compelling storytelling, complex characters, and emotional depth never go out of style, even after years of heartbreaks, miracles, and unforgettable moments at Grey Sloan Memorial (formerly Seattle Grace).
The 22nd season of Greyâs Anatomy premiered on October 9, 2025, and just a few episodes in, Caterina Scorsone, who plays âDr. Amelia Shepardâ, unexpectedly took a step back from the series. With Scorsoneâs sudden hiatus, viewers are understandably curious about what prompted the break, and more importantly, when âAmeliaâ will return to the show. But donât you worry, Grey Sloan fans, your beloved neurosurgeon isnât gone for good.
Why did âAmeliaâ leave Grey Slone Memorial? (Spoiler alert!)
In the second episode of Greyâs Anatomy Season 22, âAmeliaâ announced she was taking a sabbatical following the emotional fallout of the Grey Sloan explosion, which claimed the life of âDr. Monica Beltranâ (played by Natalie Morales). After the heartbreaking revelation that it was her patientâs mother who was behind the blast, âAmeliaâ started spiralling, until she eventually realised she needed some time away to heal.
The episode ends with âAmeliaâ revealing she will take a sabbatical to go âwherever my people areâ. Speaking about the characterâs abrupt exit from the show, the episodeâs writer Zoanne Clack told The Wrap:
âSheâs realising that she traded one addiction for another, and that was very unsettling for her when she figured that out. Usually sheâs able to get back on the horse through surgery, but this time, she realized that sheâs got to find the balance in her life ⦠Sheâs got to reconnect with the world outside and just have that time to heal.â
The reason behind Caterina Scorsoneâs hiatus from Greyâs Anatomy – will she return this season?
As of now, Scorsone is officially on hiatus and, as per reports, is not returning to the show anytime soon. Neither Scorsone nor ABC has publicly commented on the reason behind her break. However, according to Deadline, Greyâs Anatomy makers implemented new budget measures during the 2024â25 season, cutting down the guaranteed number of episodes for the regular cast from 18 to 14 per season. As such, Scorsoneâs absence will last eight consecutive episodes.
When will Caterina Scorsone return?
While Scoreson is still very much associated with the franchise, unfortunately, fans wonât get to see âAmeliaâ until Episode 11 of Greyâs Anatomy 22, which is expected to air early 2026, given the showâs mid-season holiday break. While this break may feel long, ‘Dr. Shepard’s absence wonât be permanent. Reports have confirmed that the character will return to the show with a new storyline.
Speaking about âAmeliaâ leaving Grey Sloan Memorial after the tragic explosion, the showrunner Meg Marinis teased in Shondaland that it marks a turning point in her storyline. A former addict, âAmeliaâ, would have to rethink some things in her life. In Marinnisâ words:
“Itâs going to cause her to rethink some things in her life, for sure. It is not something where she just needs a few daysâ rest and sheâll be fine. Itâs not just the death of Monica, but the explosion that happened in the hospital was the case which she was connected to. She feels a lot of culpability ⦠which is [related] to the center of Ameliaâs pain, which is the death of her father.”
A beloved character returns to Greyâs Anatomy Season 22
For fans eagerly awaiting Scorsoneâs return, this season of Greyâs Anatomy wonât be short of familiar faces. Reports have confirmed the return of Jesse Williams, set to reprise his role as âDr. Jackson Averyâ in the new episode, which airs on October 30, 2025. His return comes after the season reprised the characters of Kelly McCreary (âMaggie Pierceâ) and Scott Speedman (âNick Marshâ).
What Caterina Scorsone thinks about her character
Scorsone joined the series in 2010 and first portrayed âAmeliaâ in the spinoff series, Private Practice. And now, she has become one of the showâs emotional anchors and a pivotal character. Speaking about âAmeliaâ and how her character arc developed over the years, Caterina shared during an April 2025 event at The Paley Center for Media:
“She encountered tragedy and trauma so early. It really was woven into the DNA of her unfolding personality. I think if she has any major skill â and she’s a neurosurgeon, and she’s a mom, and she’s a friend â but resilience is really, I think, the thing that can most closely be associated with Amelia Shepard.”
So while Ameliaâs scrub cap may be hanging up for now, Greyâs Anatomy fans can rest easy, as their beloved neurosurgeon will be back, just after a much-needed on-screen (and off-screen) break.
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