The producer of the longrunning medical drama series confirms that they are going to address the coronavirus health crisis during the upcoming next season.
- Jul 22, 2020
AceShowbiz - The coronavirus pandemic is set to be addressed during the forthcoming 17th season of "Grey's Anatomy".
Filming of the series, which follows a group of surgeons in Seattle, Washington, is currently on hold due to the global health crisis but executive producer Krista Vernoff has revealed that when the show resumes production, the deadly disease will be addressed.
Appearing as part of Emmys virtual event "Quaranstreaming: Comfort TV That Keeps Us Going", she confirmed writers will incorporate a COVID-19 storyline next season.
"We're going to address this pandemic for sure," Vernoff explained. "There's no way to be a long-running medical show and not do the medical story of our lifetimes."
She added that many of the stories she has read, illustrating what medical workers face on the frontlines of the virus, have mirrored what the
character of Owen Hunt, played by Kevin McKidd, has faced as a trauma surgeon and war veteran.
"Every year, we have doctors come and tell us their stories, and usually they're telling their funniest or craziest stories," she added. "This year, it has felt more like therapy."
Vernoff noted doctors talk about the pandemic as "a war that they were not trained for," adding, "That's been one of our big conversations about Owen - he's actually trained for this in a way that most of the other doctors aren't..."
"This is an opportunity and a responsibility to tell some of those stories."
A premiere date for "Grey's Anatomy" Season 17 has yet to be announced.
