New Love, Board Drama and Meddling Meredith
8:00 AM PDT 9/25/2014 by Lesley Goldberg
SOURCE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/greys-anatomy-stars-tease-season-734879
"It feels like Owen is definitely going to get involved with somebody," Kevin McKidd tells THR
ABC's Grey's Anatomy enters its 11th season poised to explore what showrunner Shonda Rhimes has dubbed the Year of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo). And for good reason: The show's central character is in for a major shake-up.
Meredith's husband, Derek (Patrick Dempsey), wants to uproot his family and move to Washington, D.C.; her best friend, Cristina (Sandra Oh), has moved out of the country; and, after seeing her sister-in-law Amelia (Caterina Scorsone), move to Seattle full-time, she has a new half-sister (Kelly McCreary's Maggie) roaming the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial.
The Hollywood Reporter caught up with the cast at Saturday's "TGIT" kickoff party to get the scoop on what's to come.
Kevin McKidd (Owen)
It feels like Owen is definitely going to get involved with somebody at some point but he hasn't yet and we're on episode five. It feels right to let Owen take a breath. He and Cristina were so intense for so long and she really is the love of his life. He's burying himself in work and trying to bury his feelings, but they come out. To honor him as a character and to honor the fans of Cristina and Owen, it's good to give a few.
The past two season premieres have come in the wake of season finales that were traumatic: There was a plane crash, there was an infidelity. The season finale had hope in it, the idea of a baby and a method for how to go about doing that. They are starting with hope and now, as an actress, I feel good about the idea that we can address the relationship. What things came out of all of those traumas?
Chandra Wilson (Bailey)
It's a very social season for everyone, including Bailey. As far as she's concerned, she's walking into the board, which means she's about to make some changes around the hospital — for her own benefit — but she doesn't know the board seat isn't hers. She's ready to be the voice and face of the hospital, if that's what she needs to be.
Kelly McCreary (Maggie)
Maggie gets more than she bargained for. She's an excellent surgeon so she fits into the hospital of excellent surgeons very well. Personally, things are a bit more challenging because anyone with secrets has some challenges to face when they are revealed or when other people receive them.
Camilla Luddington (Jo)
Right off the bat, there's Alex (Justin Chambers) and Jo drama. Can anyone be happy for a minute? No, absolutely not! It's more fun with drama. Meredith Grey has decided to lean on Alex and she wedges herself right in that relationship. And Jo is not used to that. She's had Alex all to herself and it makes for some very jealous and very funny moments.
Jerrika Hinton (Stephanie)
The residents get dirty — and that means everything you want it to mean. We're shooting episode six now and Stephanie is already a competitive person — and that's a trait she shares with Cristina — but I'm really enjoying getting what I think are whiffs of her getting to take up a leadership role in some way at the hospital. She's forming her alliances and she's got a good head around who could be on her team and who couldn't. She's positioning herself in ways that benefit her.
Caterina Scorsone (Amelia)
There will be some serious brother-sister nuggies!
Grey's Anatomy returns Thursday at its new time, 8 p.m., on ABC.
Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit
SOURCE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/greys-anatomy-stars-tease-season-734879