Grey’s Anatomy upcoming season 21 has confirmed the return of Jason George’s surgical resident Ben Warren after the conclusion of the spin-off show Station 19. The show debuted on ABC in 2005, soon becoming a ratings behemoth and pop culture phenomenon, and launching the careers of many of its revolving ensemble cast. George first joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy in a recurring role during season 6, before enjoying a three-year stint as a series regular beginning in season 12, after which he joined the cast of spin-off Station 19, as his character Ben decided to become a firefighter.
George co-starred in the action-drama, which focused on the lives of the men and women of Seattle Fire Station 19, where he was joined by former Grey’s Anatomy co-star Stefania Spampinato. Now, following the conclusion of the successful spin-off, as well as the announcement of the Grey’s Anatomy season 21 renewal, Variety has reported that George will rejoin the show as a series regular, with Ben making the decision to return to Grey Sloan Memorial to work as a surgeon once again during the Station 19 series finale.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Will See A Shake-Up
How Will Ben’s Return Impact This?
The explosive Grey’s Anatomy season 20 finale resulted in a big shake up for the show, with Catherine Fox’s mass firing, along with Meredith and Amelia quitting their jobs, meaning many Grey’s Anatomy doctors will not be working at Grey Sloan in season 21. This will mean that there should be a fresh cast list, with a new selection of doctors. Chaotic and uncertain times will require experience and familiarity, and this is why George’s return to the series could be just what the show needs.
Despite the mass firings, here is how the cast list could look for Grey’s Anatomy season 21:
| Actor | Character |
| Jason George | Ben Warren |
| Chandra Wilson | Miranda Bailey |
| Ellen Pompeo | Meredith Grey |
| Kim Raver | Teddy Altman |
| James Pickens Jr. | Richard Webber |
| Caterina Scorsone | Amelia Shepherd |
| Chris Cormack | Atticus Lincoln |
Additionally, the end of season 20 has provided several Grey’s Anatomy season 21 storyline predictions that the show could explore, including a move to position Catherine in a villainous role for the new season. What’s more, Ben’s return to a surgical residency post at the hospital suggests that the character could play a prominent role in the upcoming season, and could see a second long-running stint on the show for George. This would make sense for the story, as Grey Sloan will need experienced and talented doctors to replace those who have been cut loose to steady the ship.
How long George’s new stint on the show might last is unclear at this point, but the shake-up happening with Grey’s Anatomy season 21 right now means that bringing back legacy characters is a great way of injecting new life into the show, while also providing familiarity and a narrative anchor. The return of Ben will be just one of the big changes that audiences will experience, but it could wind up being the change that ushers in a new era for Grey’s Anatomy, and a way for the show to continue to evolve after 20 years on the air.
