About two decades ago, one of the biggest medical dramas in American television history aired on ABC. Grey’s Anatomy would go on to become the most popular hospital-based TV show and a household name, which is why it is still going on strong. And of course, as with any successful franchise, creators are always looking for ways to maximize their profits. The best way to do that is by the way of spin-offs, like Station 19.
Grey’s Anatomy has had a number of spin-offs over the years, each going on for variable lengths of time with different degrees of success. However, Station 19 stood out among the rest. Though it did not achieve the same level of popularity as its parent show, it managed to gain a significant fan following. Which is why so many were let down when the show was discontinued after Season 7.
So what led to ABC’s decision to axe the spin-off after the seventh installment? Let’s have a look at the show’s history and the possible reasons that might’ve led to its cancellation.
Grey’s Anatomy And its Spin-off Shows
Grey’s Anatomy is ABC’s longest-running scripted prime-time show and for all the good reasons. The series’ rating has consistently been high, with IMDb rating it 7.6 and Rotten Tomatoes, a healthy 84%.
The latest Season 21 of the show has consistently pulled off over 2 million viewers per episode, according to Nielsen ratings (via TV Series Finale), which is high considering how long the show has been running. Hence ABC was bound to invest in spinoff shows. There have been 3 spinoff shows so far:
Private Practice: The spinoff is set at Seaside Health & Wellness Center (previously known as Oceanside Wellness Group) and follows Dr. Addison Montgomery, portrayed by Kate Walsh, as she departs from Seattle Grace Hospital to join a private practice in Los Angeles. The series ran from 2007 to 2013.
Station 19: This is the second spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy. Set in Seattle, the series drives through the everyday lives of the firefighters at Seattle Fire Station 19. It aired from 2018 to 2024.
Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team: This is a six-episode web series that follows the latest group of doctors joining Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. It premiered on ABC.com on Thursday, January 11, 2018, and was written by Barbara Kaye Friend and directed by Sarah Drew.
What is Station 19 About?
Station 19, a spin-off of Grey’s Anatomy, was greenlit by ABC in May 2017. Stacy McKee led the charge as showrunner for the first two seasons before Krista Vernoff stepped in to take the reins.
The show is set in Seattle, Washington, and revolves around the firefighters at Station 19. As a spin-off, it shares the same universe as Grey’s Anatomy, with characters occasionally crossing over between the two shows. The show features a diverse cast, including Andy Herrera (played by Jaina Lee Ortiz), who is the daughter of the station’s captain, and other firefighters like Jack Gibson, Maya Bishop, and Ben Warren (a former surgeon from Grey’s Anatomy).
The Grey’s Anatomy spinoff ended with Season 7, with Station 19 members fighting a massive wildfire. The characters exuded bravery and kept fighting against insurmountable odds, even after tragic losses. While Herrera proved her mettle in a final test of leadership, getting severe burns in the process, the rest of the team, motivated by their visions, managed to make it through the inferno. Station 19’s bittersweet ending left viewers in tears, which is why they are still waiting for more.
Why Was Station 19 Canceled?
The seventh and final season of Station 19 aired on March 14, 2024, after ABC on Dec. 8 announced that the spinoff will conclude with 10 episodes this year. Fans are still confused as to why ABC decided to cancel one of its Thursday staples, and there might be a few reasons behind that.
One of the major reasons behind the show’s decline was competition from similar shows. 9-1-1, a first-responders show with a similar premise, aired in January 2018, two months before Station 19 aired. While 9-1-1 grew into a franchise with consistently high viewership and ratings, Station 19 seemed to be lagging behind. With both shows being produced by Disney-owned studios, it can be understood why it was becoming difficult to keep two guns in the same holster.
Moreover, there were reports of behind-the-scenes drama (via THR). Previous showrunner Stacy McKee left after the first two seasons of the show, after which Krista Vernoff had to run both the firefighter spinoff and Grey’s Anatomy up until the end of Season 6. The showrunners were changed again for the last season of Station 19, with Peter Paige and Zoanne Clack taking over for Season 7.
The cancellation caused a massive outrage among fans of the show, who have since launched a campaign #SaveStation19. The petition has amassed 94,000 signatures so far. Hopefully, we might see the return of Station 19 in the Grey’s Anatomy universe if the demands of the fans get through the ears of ABC executives.
