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“Grey's Anatomy” Renewed for Historic Season 21: 'Next Season… We Turn Legal Drinking Age'

"Grey’s was something I made up 20+ years ago, and I am so incredibly proud that it’s been picked up for its 21st season," creator Shonda Rhimes shared on social media

abc Ellen Pompeo on "Grey
abc Ellen Pompeo on "Grey's Anatomy"

The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial are returning for another season!

On Tuesday, ABC announced Grey's Anatomy was renewed for season 21, extending its record as the longest-running primetime medical drama and the network’s longest-running primetime scripted series.

“Push (twenty) one of epi! 😉 #GreysAnatomy will be coming back for another season on ABC!” the show’s official Instagram page shared in a post.

<p>ABC/Nino Muñoz</p> 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 20 Cast

ABC/Nino Muñoz

'Grey's Anatomy' Season 20 Cast

Related: Shonda Rhimes Says Her Daughter Has Started to Watch Grey's Anatomy: 'Getting to See the Women Her Mom Created'

Creator Shonda Rhimes also celebrated the news on Instagram.

“This picture was taken in 2015,” she shared of a throwback photo of the cast during the celebration for their 250th episode. “To still be on your screens, in your living rooms, and in your hearts almost ten years later - words cannot express my gratitude.”

“Grey’s was something I made up 20+ years ago, and I am so incredibly proud that it’s been picked up for its 21st season,” she continued. “This honestly could not be possible without you guys..caring about the stories I tell, the talented cast, writers, and crew. Wow.”

Related: The Best Behind-the-Scenes Photos of the Grey's Anatomy Cast

Camilla Luddington — who plays Jo Wilson on the series — marked the milestone with her own Instagram post, sharing, “Next season.. we turn legal drinking age.. 😎🙏 #greysanatomy #season21.”

Her costar Caterina Scorsone — who portrays Amelia Shepherd — shared on social media, “So… this Baby is almost old enough for a medical internship. Crazy. Bananas. 🩻🩺🏥🚑⚕️💊💉❤️”

Chris Carmack a.k.a. Dr. Atticus "Link" Lincoln congratulated the cast and crew as well as thanked fans in a video on his Instagram Story.

Related: Grey’s Anatomy: Bailey's 5 Rules Explained as She Takes Over Charge of the Interns

“Woohoo season 21, congratulations to the cast, crew, writers, producers, everybody involved and thank you to the fans who keep us coming back,” he said. “Can’t wait!”

Kim Raver also shared her delight at returning for season 21, writing on Instagram, “We are all so excited that #GreysAnatomy is renewed for Season 21!! ❤️✨❤️”

Jake Borelli commemorated the renewal on social media, writing, “This one’s REAL! I swear 🤗 pinch meeee. I am so excited. Thank you, thank you, thank you ALL for continuing to watch this incredible show. Season TWENTY-ONE here we COME! ✨💛✨ #GreysAnatomy

James Pickens Jr., Alexis Floyd and Adelaide Kane also reshared stories about the renewal news on their Instagram Stories.

Related: Grey's Anatomy: Meredith Breaks the Rules as Winston Makes a Big Decision About His Future

Liliane Lathan/ABC via Getty Ellen Pompeo on "Grey's Anatomy"
Liliane Lathan/ABC via Getty Ellen Pompeo on "Grey's Anatomy"

The renewal comes three episodes into Grey’s Anatomy’s 20th season. This season, Ellen Pompeo, who stars as Dr. Meredith Grey on the series, signed on for four episodes. The actress — who already had a scaled-back role in season 19 — remains as an executive producer on the series in addition to providing the opening and closing voiceover for each episode

In an installment of Variety's Actors on Actors series in June, Pompeo, 54, opened up to her former Grey’s costar Katherine Heigl about the future of her character.

“I will be making some appearances hopefully next year, if I can find some time,” she said at the time. “It’s not a complete goodbye. And I think we’ve got an interesting story to tell."

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Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

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