Development ''
Grey's Anatomy'' was renewed for a tenth season on May 10, 2013. This season is to include the 200th episode of the series, the fourth episode to air, "Puttin' on the Ritz". This season was also split into 2 batches of episodes, each batch consisting of 12 uninterrupted episodes (excluding holidays). The mid-season premiere aired on February 27, 2014.
Casting In May 2012, it was announced that 6 original castmates -
Ellen Pompeo,
Sandra Oh,
Justin Chambers,
Chandra Wilson,
James Pickens, Jr. and
Patrick Dempsey had renewed their contracts through season 10, as
Meredith Grey,
Cristina Yang,
Alex Karev,
Miranda Bailey,
Richard Webber and
Derek Shepherd respectively. It was revealed in June 2013, that 4 out of the 5 interns from Season 9 would be returning as series-regulars, including
Camilla Luddington,
Gaius Charles,
Jerrika Hinton and
Tessa Ferrer. It was announced in July 2013 that
Bobby Campo and
Heather Hemmens were slated to guest star in the 2-part season premiere. In August 2013,
TVGuide reported that
Dexter alum
James Remar is set for a "mysterious" story-arc. It was later revealed that Remar would be playing
Alex Karev's drug addict father, whom he hasn't seen in more than 20 years. In October 2013, it was announced that
Hector Elizondo would be returning to the show, as
Callie Torres' father, for a 'Callie-centric' episode that would air mid-November. Other guest stars in November were
Valerie Mahaffey and
Gordon Clapp. returned as Dr.
Preston Burke for 1 episode to persuade Yang into taking over his hospital. It was announced in January 2014 that
Nickelodeon star
Keke Palmer would guest star in an upcoming episode slated to air in March 2014. It was also announced that
Greek alum
Paul James had been cast in a potentially recurring role. It was also announced in January that the role of Zola (Meredith and Derek's daughter) was recast and would now be played by Heaven White, who is significantly older than Jela K. Moore, the actress who previously played Zola. On March 6, 2014, it was revealed that
Isaiah Washington would reprise his role as
Preston Burke for 1 episode in May 2014. It is believed that his reappearance will have ties with Cristina Yang's (
Sandra Oh) departure from the show after 9 years. Dr. Burke was Cristina Yang's love-interest for much of his 3 years on the show. Washington was fired 7 years ago after he made a homophobic slur against castmate,
T. R. Knight. On March 18, 2014, it was announced that another ''Grey's Anatomy'' alum would return in May and stay until the end of the season.
Caterina Scorsone will return to play
Amelia Shepherd, one of Derek's 4 sisters. Scorsone was a regular on the ''Grey's Anatomy
spin-off, Private Practice'', where she also portrayed Amelia Shepherd. In April, news broke that
Kelly McCreary would guest star in the Season 10 finale. It wasn't known until the season finale aired that her character, Dr. Pierce, was hired by Dr. Yang to be the new head of cardio. It was also discovered at the end of the episode that Dr.
Ellis Grey was her birth mother. On August 13, 2013, Sandra Oh revealed that after the tenth season, she would be leaving ''
Grey's Anatomy''. It was announced on March 25, 2014, that Gaius Charles and Tessa Ferrer were not having their options picked up for Season 11, meaning that Season 10 would be their last season as regulars on the show. On January 23, 2014, it was announced that Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey had renewed their contracts for another 2 seasons, as Meredith Grey and Derek Shepherd respectively, meaning their characters will be staying on the medical drama for seasons 11 and 12. On May 2, 2014, it was announced that the rest of the 6 original castmates, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr., excluding Sandra Oh, had renewed their contracts for another 2 seasons (11 and 12).
Sara Ramirez also renewed her contract for another 2 seasons. == Reception ==