The medical drama will be getting a new time slot next year, shifting from 9pm to 10pm on Thursdays.
The show’s spin-off Station 19, which is set to end after season seven, currently holds the network’s 10pm time slot.
The schedule change has been made to make way for new drama Doctor Odyssey, which stars Dawson’s Creek actor Joshua Jackson as an on-board doctor for a luxury cruise ship (via Deadline).
The network’s shake-up will also see its signature Wednesday comedy block cut short, with Abbot Elementary moving to the later time of 9.30pm.
Meanwhile, The Conners’ final season will instead air later this year, as well as new episodes of The Rookie and Will Trent.
Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich said in a statement: “We know that among [Grey’s] viewers, they are not just sizeable but very loyal audience, but the majority of those in that audience, well over 80% watches the show on multiple platforms, not specifically live, so we think the move is going to be minimal, as well as it will provide an incredible lead into our local news at 11.”
Grey’s Anatomy’s time slot isn’t the only change being made for season 21. According to Deadline, the drama is among a list of shows facing budget cuts moving forward, which could result in the reduced appearances of veteran cast members.
The news also follows the announcement of Jake Borelli’s exit from the long-running series after seven seasons.
The actor notably joined the show in 2018 as Dr Levi Schmitt, who later began a relationship with Dr Nico Kim (Alex Landi) — marking the show’s first same-sex male romance involving two doctors.
Borelli is said to be in negotiations to return to Grey’s to wrap up his character storylines in the upcoming season.
