Is Caterina Scorsone Returning To 'Grey's Anatomy'? The Truth Behind 'Dr. Amelia's Season 22 Exit

It has been more than two decades since the pilot episode of Grey’s Anatomy aired, and it’s still going strong with the 22nd season. ABC’s hugely popular medical drama continues to keep fans guessing what’s next, which only testifies to creator Shonda Rhimes and her team’s mettle in proving that compelling storytelling, complex characters, and emotional depth never go out of style, even after years of heartbreaks, miracles, and unforgettable moments at Grey Sloan Memorial (formerly Seattle Grace).

The 22nd season of Grey’s Anatomy premiered on October 9, 2025, and just a few episodes in, Caterina Scorsone, who plays ‘Dr. Amelia Shepard’, unexpectedly took a step back from the series. With Scorsone’s sudden hiatus, viewers are understandably curious about what prompted the break, and more importantly, when ‘Amelia’ will return to the show. But don’t you worry, Grey Sloan fans, your beloved neurosurgeon isn’t gone for good.

Why did ‘Amelia’ leave Grey Slone Memorial? (Spoiler alert!)

In the second episode of Grey’s Anatomy Season 22, ‘Amelia’ announced she was taking a sabbatical following the emotional fallout of the Grey Sloan explosion, which claimed the life of ‘Dr. Monica Beltran’ (played by Natalie Morales). After the heartbreaking revelation that it was her patient’s mother who was behind the blast, ‘Amelia’ started spiralling, until she eventually realised she needed some time away to heal.

The episode ends with ‘Amelia’ revealing she will take a sabbatical to go ‘wherever my people are’. Speaking about the character’s abrupt exit from the show, the episode’s writer Zoanne Clack told The Wrap:

“She’s realising that she traded one addiction for another, and that was very unsettling for her when she figured that out. Usually she’s able to get back on the horse through surgery, but this time, she realized that she’s got to find the balance in her life … She’s got to reconnect with the world outside and just have that time to heal.”

The reason behind Caterina Scorsone’s hiatus from Grey’s Anatomy - will she return this season?

As of now, Scorsone is officially on hiatus and, as per reports, is not returning to the show anytime soon. Neither Scorsone nor ABC has publicly commented on the reason behind her break. However, according to Deadline, Grey’s Anatomy makers implemented new budget measures during the 2024–25 season, cutting down the guaranteed number of episodes for the regular cast from 18 to 14 per season. As such, Scorsone’s absence will last eight consecutive episodes.

When will Caterina Scorsone return?

While Scoreson is still very much associated with the franchise, unfortunately, fans won’t get to see ‘Amelia’ until Episode 11 of Grey’s Anatomy 22, which is expected to air early 2026, given the show’s mid-season holiday break. While this break may feel long, 'Dr. Shepard's absence won’t be permanent. Reports have confirmed that the character will return to the show with a new storyline.

Speaking about ‘Amelia’ leaving Grey Sloan Memorial after the tragic explosion, the showrunner Meg Marinis teased in Shondaland that it marks a turning point in her storyline. A former addict, ‘Amelia’, would have to rethink some things in her life. In Marinnis’ words:

"It’s going to cause her to rethink some things in her life, for sure. It is not something where she just needs a few days’ rest and she’ll be fine. It’s not just the death of Monica, but the explosion that happened in the hospital was the case which she was connected to. She feels a lot of culpability … which is [related] to the center of Amelia’s pain, which is the death of her father."

A beloved character returns to Grey’s Anatomy Season 22

For fans eagerly awaiting Scorsone’s return, this season of Grey’s Anatomy won’t be short of familiar faces. Reports have confirmed the return of Jesse Williams, set to reprise his role as ‘Dr. Jackson Avery’ in the new episode, which airs on October 30, 2025. His return comes after the season reprised the characters of Kelly McCreary (‘Maggie Pierce’) and Scott Speedman (‘Nick Marsh’).

What Caterina Scorsone thinks about her character

Scorsone joined the series in 2010 and first portrayed ‘Amelia’ in the spinoff series, Private Practice. And now, she has become one of the show’s emotional anchors and a pivotal character. Speaking about ‘Amelia’ and how her character arc developed over the years, Caterina shared during an April 2025 event at The Paley Center for Media:

"She encountered tragedy and trauma so early. It really was woven into the DNA of her unfolding personality. I think if she has any major skill — and she's a neurosurgeon, and she's a mom, and she's a friend — but resilience is really, I think, the thing that can most closely be associated with Amelia Shepard."

So while Amelia’s scrub cap may be hanging up for now, Grey’s Anatomy fans can rest easy, as their beloved neurosurgeon will be back, just after a much-needed on-screen (and off-screen) break.

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