ABC confirmed some bad news and shocked fans with some amazing news on Tuesday afternoon.
First, the bad news:
Scandal really is coming to an end after next year’s seventh season.
Said creator Shonda Rhimes in a statement regarding the conclusion of this beloved drama:
“Deciding how to end a show is easy. Deciding when to finish is quite simple when the end date is years away. But actually going through with it? Actually standing up to say: ‘This is it?’ Not so much.
“So, next year we are going all out. Leaving nothing on the table. Creating this world in celebration.
“We are going to handle the end the way we like to handle the important things in our Scandal family: all together, white hats on, gladiators running full speed over a cliff.”
This sucks, as know.
But ABC has at least softened the blow by also announcing the following:
Rhimes will executive produce an upcoming Grey’s Anatomy spinoff!
There may not be enough exclamation points there; allow us to rectify the mistake: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
The series will be written by longtime Grey’s Anatomy Executive Producer Stacy McKee and will premiere some time in early 2017, presumably after How to Get Away With Murder ends its season.
As for what the spinoff will center on?
Red. Hot. Firefighters!
No casting decisions have been made and few details are available at this time.
But the unnamed show will focus on a number of firemen and firewomen in Seattle.
“No one can interweave the jeopardy firefighters face in the line of duty with the drama in their personal lives quite like Shonda, and Grey’s signature Seattle setting is the perfect backdrop for this exciting spinoff,” said ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey in a statement today.
Added the network itself:
“From the captain to the newest recruit, we follow these brave men and women as they risk their lives and their hearts both in the line of duty and off the clock.”
Sounds like your basic, let’s-mix-serious-work-with-suspenseful-and-romantic-play Rhimes fare, doesn’t it?
Grey’s Anatomy will conclude Season 13 this Thursday night.
According to the official synopsis for Grey’s Anatomy Season 13 Episode 24, there will be a massive explosion at the hospital, leaving many lives in jeopardy and resulting in a major cliffhanger.
Sounds like the sort of thing that will require a handful of firefighters to show up on the scene, either this week or to kick off Season 14.
And then… BOOM! You’ve got the beginning of your spinoff.
Well played, ABC.
Cycle through the photos above to delve into ALL the scoop doled out by ABC today.
It includes a hilarious spinoff, an unexpected revival and so much more!