Shonda Rhimes Teases New ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Spinoff as Medical Drama Franchise Grows Again

A new report from Deadline says ABC is officially expanding the “Grey’s Anatomy” universe with a brand-new spinoff series already ordered straight to series. The project is being developed as one of the network’s biggest upcoming drama launches and will arrive during the 2026–2027 television season.

The new medical drama is co-created, written, and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes alongside current “Grey’s Anatomy” showrunner Meg Marinis. Ellen Pompeo, who helped define the original series as Meredith Grey, is also on board as an executive producer. The show will be produced by Shondaland and 20th Television.

Unlike earlier spinoffs like “Private Practice” and “Station 19,” this new series will not center on a character introduced in the original show. Instead, it will focus on a new group of doctors working at a rural medical center in West Texas. The setting marks a major shift for the franchise, moving away from big-city hospitals to a remote area where medical care is limited and difficult to access.

According to Marinis, the tone of the series will stay close to what fans expect from the franchise. She said, “This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas.”

The series is also expected to connect back to the main “Grey’s Anatomy” universe in some way, though exact details have not been revealed. Reports suggest that familiar characters from the original show could potentially appear, helping link the new story to the long-running medical drama.

This marks the fourth entry in the “Grey’s Anatomy” franchise, following the original series, “Private Practice,” and “Station 19.” Both previous spinoffs ran for multiple seasons on ABC and often crossed over with the main show. The new series, however, appears to be taking a more independent approach while still existing in the same world.

The order also reflects ABC’s broader strategy of expanding its most successful drama brands into full franchises. “Grey’s Anatomy,” which remains the network’s longest-running scripted series, continues to perform strongly in ratings even after more than two decades on air. The spinoff is expected to follow a limited episode format when it launches in midseason 2027.

While production details are still developing, the new series represents one of the most significant expansions of the “Grey’s Anatomy” universe in years, bringing Shonda Rhimes back into direct creative involvement with the franchise she originally created.

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