Grey’s Anatomy will address coronavirus pandemic ‘for sure’, says executive producer

‘There’s no way to be a long-running medical show and not do the medical story of our lifetimes’

Chandra Wilson as Dr Miranda Bailey in Grey's Anatomy's season 16, (YouTube / ABC)

Grey’s Anatomy will address the coronavirus pandemic in upcoming episodes.

Executive producer Krista Vernoff discussed plans for the show’s 17th season in a conversation titled “Quaranstreaming: Comfort TV That Keeps Us Going” hosted by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, due to air in full this Tuesday at 8pm ET/5pm PT online.

In a preview published by Entertainment Weekly, Vernoff is quoted as saying: “We’re going to address this pandemic for sure.

“There’s no way to be a long-running medical show and not do the medical story of our lifetimes.”

According to Vernoff, Grey’s Anatomy writers have discussed the pandemic and its impact with real-life doctors.

Vernoff added that she feels the show has a “responsibility” as well as an “opportunity” to share those narratives.

“Every year, we have doctors come and tell us their stories, and usually they’re telling their funniest or craziest stories. This year, it has felt more like therapy,” she said.

“The doctors come in and we’re the first people they’re talking to about these types of experiences they’re having. They are literally shaking and trying not to cry, they’re pale, and they’re talking about it as war – a war that they were not trained for.”

Grey's Anatomy's 16th season wrapped up in April this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

It was originally supposed to comprise 25 episodes, but stopped at 21 after production shut down.