The explosion at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital could mean not every cast member is returning to Grey's Anatomy for season 22. During the May 2025 finale of the hit ABC series, Piper Perabo played a mother of a patient who brought a highly flammable acetylene tank into the operating room to force Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) to perform a high-risk surgery to save her daughter. The hostage situation included interns Simone (Alexis Floyd) and Adams (Niko Terho) at risk while Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) tried to save them before it was too late. Despite performing the operation successfully, the tank was accidentally opened, which let the flammable contents leak onto the operating floor. The final moments of the finale showed an explosion that only Meredith and Warren (Jason George) officially survived - for now. While showrunner Meg Marinis wouldn't confirm who was injured in the blast, she made it clear that almost no one was guaranteed to return for season 22. Keep scrolling for a breakdown of which characters were where when the explosion went off - including their chances at survival: Grey's Anatomy's Biggest Exits Over the Years Dr. Meredith Grey Disney/Anne Marie Fox Pompeo originally announced in November 2022 that she was stepping back Grey's Anatomy after appearing in 400 episodes of the series. She has since reprised her role - and continued to provide voiceover for the show - throughout the seasons that followed. "We don't quite know the answer to [in what capacity Ellen will return in season 22] yet, but as much as she's willing to come hang out and play with us, we will have her!" Marinis told The Hollywood Reporter in May 2025. "We try to do that just so that we can accommodate her schedule. She likes to develop and produce other projects." Marinis continued: "So what usually happens is that in the beginning of the season I talk to her about her availability and what she's looking for, so it's a cooperation between her and the show. I mean, she's been there for 22 years. She is able to have a say in what it might look like." Dr. Miranda Bailey Disney/Anne Marie Fox Last viewers saw Miranda (Chandra Wilson), she was on the operating floor, which puts her at risk of being a casualty of the explosion. Wilson is contracted to appear in season 22, according to TVLine. Dr. Richard Webber Disney/Anne Marie Fo According to Marinis, the future of most of the staff hasn't been decided. "Well, I feel like a lot of people are probably sitting in operating rooms," she told THR. "So unless you saw them and where they were when that explosion went off, I don't think we can say anyone is necessarily safe." Pickens Jr. is also is contracted to appear in season 22. Dr. Owen Hunt Disney/Anne Marie Fox Before the cliffhanger, Teddy (Kim Raver) officially ended her marriage to husband Owen (Kevin McKidd). "That book is very long, and obviously, they're forever tied to one another, when you're in war with one another and have children together. But I am interested in it. It was really interesting to see that story play out this season and to see both of those characters still able to kind of light up and smile with other people," Marinis shared. "I think a lot of people were wondering where their [open marriage] experiment was going." She continued: "But Nora [Floriana Lima] really fell in love with Owen and I think Teddy really had something for Cass [Sophia Bush], even though Cass is happily married. It was really fun to see those two characters have chemistry with others and I feel like they really did have chemistry between the actors, too." McKidd is contracted to appear in season 22. Dr. Teddy Altman Disney/Anne Marie Fox Raver could also not return to season 22 after going through major personal changes on screen but she is contracted to appear in season 22 Dr. Amelia Shepherd Disney/Anne Marie Fox Amelia is another character who isn't exactly safe ahead of the new season but is contracted to appear in season 22. "But even in the last two seasons with what you saw this year, we had to reduce the cast a little bit [because of industry-wide budget cuts], and everybody has very passionate feelings about their favorite characters," Marinis shared. "But if we can get the writers upset then we know we're doing it right. It's not as satisfying a story if people aren't upset when someone leaves. It's supposed to make people upset and sad, so I'm sure there'll be some arguments. But I've been persuaded before to change my mind on things." Jessica Capshaw's Season 20 Return Is the Latest 'Grey's Anatomy' Comeback Dr. Jo Wilson Disney/Anne Marie Fox Marinis was asked about Jo - who revealed she is pregnant before the cliffhanger - during the tell-all with THR. "We saw Jo outside the building," she added. "But we didn't see her leave, so it just depends on what exit she took, I guess." The actress is contracted to appear in season 22. Dr. Ben Warren Disney/Anne Marie Fox Marinis told THR that Warren was seen running back into the