As much as we may want Grey’s Anatomy back on Thursday nights stat, there remain (sigh) months to go until the ABC drama returns for Season 22. But that’s not to say that in the meantime we can’t offer you a transfusion of sorts — of intel about what’s to come.

You’ll recall that Season 21 went out with a bang — an explosion that left us worried and then some about the fate of Chris Carmack’s Link. (And right after he learned that he and bride Jo were having twin daughters, no less!) The finale also hung a big ol’ question mark over the fate of Jason George’s Ben — albeit in less of a “Did they just kill him off?” kind of way. (His future at Grey Sloan looked, frankly, nonexistent.)

So, what do we know so far about Season 22, the series’ third with Meg Marinis as showrunner? (She was named Krista Vernoff’s successor in 2023.) Read on, and we’ll spill all the tea that’s fit to sip.

We Have a Premiere Date

Photo : Courtesy of ABC

Season 22 kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 10/9c following the Season 9 premiere of 9-1-1 and the premiere of 9-1-1: Nashville.

We’ll Be Getting More Regular Doses of Meredith

Photo : ABC screenshot

As Season 21 crossed the finish line, Mer struck a bargain with boss Catherine: If she’d provide Grey with lab space in Boston to continue her Alzheimer’s research, the star surgeon would start summering in Seattle so that she could log a little quality time in O.R. 2 while letting her kids visit their friends. And, of course, Mer added, she’d be available for consults throughout the year.

More Mer Means More Nick, Too

Photo : Courtesy of ABC

As TVLine reported in June, Scott Speedman has signed on to star in ABC’s private-eye pilot RJ Decker. But, per our sister site Deadline, even if the show goes to series, it is not expected to impact the Felicity alum’s recurring role of Mer’s significant other Nick on Grey’s Anatomy.

The Long-Running Cast Has Deals in Place

Photo : Courtesy of ABC

OGs Chandra Wilson (Bailey) and James Pickens Jr. (Richard), as well as Kevin McKidd (Owen), Kim Raver (Teddy), Caterina Scorsone (Amelia) and Camilla Luddington (Jo), are already contracted to appear in Season 22… if they are asked to. You may have noticed that that list is missing one significant name…

Has Link Been Blown to Bits?

Photo : ABC screenshot

Grey’s Anatomy hasn’t said whether Carmack will be returning as Link, and neither has the actor himself. “I don’t know what I can share because I don’t know anything yet,” he told Woman’s World in June. On second thought, maybe does know something. “Wait — now that I think about it,” he added, “I haven’t gotten the call yet saying, ‘See ya in July.’”

Simone’s One-Night Stand Isn’t Going Anywhere

Photo : ABC screenshot

There’s been no official word yet as to whether grown-ish grad Trevor Jackson has been made a series regular as expected, but the Season 21 finale revealed that Simone’s hook-up — whose name remains an unsolved mystery! — is among Grey Sloan’s new class of first-year residents. “Think of it this way,” he cracked to Simone upon clocking her mortification at his arrival. “At least you already know I’m good.”

Ben’s Fired

Photo : Courtesy of ABC

Whether Ben will stay fired is TBD (especially since half the doctors at Grey Sloan have been pink-slipped at one time or another). But Miranda broke it to her husband in the finale that Teddy wouldn’t be keeping him on — meaning that he’d have to enroll in another residency program. (Our fingers are crossed that this will be who runs it.) The former Station 19 firefighter had no regrets, at least. “I stand by my choices to save lives,” he said, “every time.”

Mika’s Due for at Least a Visit

Photo : ABC screenshot

Before Midori Francis and Jake Borelli scrubbed out in Season 21 as Mika and Levi, respectively, Marinis promised us that we’d be seeing them again. Borelli already brought back Schmitt to officiate Jo and Link’s wedding. But Yasuda? So far, nothing. Our hunch: The EP is biding her time, waiting to have Mika wing her way back to Seattle until a certain plot has gotten twisted for friend-and-then-some Jules. (See below.)

Winston and Jules Are For Sure Gonna Happen

Photo : Courtesy of Disney

Nobody’s saying so, mind you. But nobody needs to. The way that Ndugu stuck a scalpel in his and Millin’s potential relationship because “lines were getting blurry” guarantees that these two will pick up where they left off. For Pete’s sake, did you see the way they looked at each other? There were practically emoji hearts in their eyes!