Dr. David Hamilton, a former colleague of her mother's, reveals his plan to open up a state-of-the-art research center dedicated to curing Parkinson's disease, with Meredith as the project's public face to attract talent.

After his youngest son's panic attacks, Hayes connects with Bailey as they interview candidates to replace Jackson and Tom, as well as Jo, who is adjusting to life as a single mother and OB/GYN resident with Levi's help.

Owen and Teddy tie the knot in Joe's bar with a newly single Megan officiating after their planned ceremony in the park is ruined by a tandem bike crashing into the priest.

On March 25, 2021, Krista Vernoff, who serves as the showrunner and executive producer of Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 signed a two-year deal with ABC to remain on both series through a potential nineteenth season.

[56][57] When ABC revealed its schedule for the 2021–22 broadcast season it was announced that the series would hold its previous time slot of Thursdays at 9:00 PM ET, with Station 19 serving as a lead-in.

[59] Kim Raver, Camilla Luddington, and Kevin McKidd each signed a three-year contract in July 2020 keeping them attached to the series through a potential nineteenth season to portray Dr. Teddy Altman, Dr. Jo Wilson, and Dr. Owen Hunt, respectively.

[27][60] The series remaining three original actors Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens, Jr., who portray Dr. Meredith Grey, Dr. Miranda Bailey, and Dr. Richard Webber, respectively, were all confirmed to be returning for the season.

[65] Giacomo Gianniotti, Jesse Williams, and Greg Germann did not return as series regulars to portray Dr. Andrew DeLuca, Dr. Jackson Avery, and Dr. Tom Koracick, respectively, after departing in the previous season.

[88] Skylar Astin and Rome Flynn were cast in recurring roles for the second half of the season to portray Todd Eames, an environmental sciences expert, and Wendell Ndugu, the brother of Hill's character, respectively.

[89][45] Bianca A. Santos and Cedric Sanders were also cast in recurring roles to portray Kristen and Simon Clark, a "married couple in a dire medical situation," for three episodes of the season.

[92] The season was also awarded The ReFrame Stamp,[93] a certification given to scripted television productions that hire "women or individuals of other underrepresented gender identities/expressions [...] in four out of eight key roles including writer, director, producer, lead, co-leads, and department heads.