Grey's Anatomy fans will have to wait for the return of Amelia Shepherd, as actress Caterina Scorsone is taking an extended break from the ABC medical drama. According to sources, Scorsone will be absent for eight episodes, returning in 2026.
The storyline sees Amelia struggling after the deadly explosion in the Season 21 finale, which was caused by the mother of her patient, Dylan. Despite interventions from Meredith and Maggie, Amelia announced in the latest episode that she is taking a sabbatical. Her guilt over the incident, including the death of her friend Dr. Monica Beltran and Dylan's condition—locked in and unable to blink after two surgeries—has driven her decision.
This break is part of a cost-saving measure for the long-running series, which reduced minimum guarantees for veteran cast members to 14 out of 18 episodes per season. For the 2025-26 season, Scorsone will appear in only 10 episodes, with the hiatus built into Amelia's storyline. The move is specific to this season, and Scorsone remains a series regular.
Showrunner Meg Marinis hinted that Amelia's arc will explore her hubris in taking on Dylan's case. The character, a fan favorite since her debut on Private Practice, is deeply rooted in the show's mythology as the sister of Derek Shepherd and sister-in-law to Meredith. Dylan's condition is expected to improve later in the season, possibly before or after Amelia's return.
