Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), there are a handful of past characters who could possibly appear.
Grey’s Anatomy is a cultural phenomenon and one of the longest-running scripted American TV shows of all time. Anchored by Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) - who’ll be taking more of a back seat in the Grey’s Anatomy season 19, the show doesn’t look like it’ll be stopping anytime soon. While Grey's Anatomy continues to be successful, its cast looks very different from the first few seasons. There are only three regulars left from its original Grey's Anatomy season 1 group; Dr. Grey, Dr. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), and Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson).
The show now has a large ensemble of regulars, most of whom have already been confirmed to return for Grey's Anatomy season 19. Dr. Grey will be returning as Chief of General Surgery, Meredith having started dating Dr. Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman) at the end of season 18. She’ll be ed by Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), Dr. Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), and several others, all of whom have pulled through the Covid pandemic and a blood shortage at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Season 19 will also introduce a raft of new season regulars, including Dr. Simone Griffin (Alexis Floyd) and Dr. Lucas Adams (Niko Terho). And while it’s great to see new faces take center stage, there are a few missing characters from the past who could return for Grey's Anatomy season 19.
Izzie Stevens
Katherine Heigl was catapulted to super-stardom after her role as Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens in the first Heigl has been open to a Grey's Anatomy return in the past.
Alex Karev
Justin Chambers' Dr. Karev was the troubled and rude resident everyone loved to hate. His gruff exterior slowly broke down over the course of the show, culminating in a penchant for bonding with children. He subsequently went on to become head of pediatric surgery and then lose his job after committing fraud with Dr. Grey. While he went on to develop a relationship with the intern Jo Wilson, he eventually returned to Izzie after learning that she had given birth to twins. His last appearance was in season 16, with actor Justin Chambers leaving the show to pursue other acting opportunities. While technically he could show up in future seasons, it sounds unlikely. Luddington has said (via Bustle) that it’s better for all characters involved if he remains where is.
Addison Montgomery
While Private Practice. Most recently she played a recurring role in season 18. Private Practice ended in 2013 after its sixth season and after popping up in three episodes of season 18 of Grey’s Anatomy, it’s no great stretch to imagine that Walsh would want to come back for a meatier role in Grey's Anatomy season 19. While Dr. Addison seems to be relatively settled with her husband and child in L.A., things can change in a heartbeat.
Cristina Yang
Sandra Oh is no longer with Grey’s Anatomy, having left the show in season 10 and beginning a rich and varied career in film and TV. She has turned in brilliant performances in Killing Eve and The Chair and it’s unlikely that Oh would need, or want, to return to Grey’s Anatomy. However, Dr. Yang does still exist in the Grey’s universe. During season 10 she reconnects with Dr. Preston Burke and takes over his hospital in Zurich. Her character arc was seemingly completed after she became the successful cardio surgeon she always wanted to be. However, Dr. Grey remains "her person" and it wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility for Dr. Yang to make a brief appearance in Grey's Anatomy season 19.
Preston Burke
Despite Isaiah Washington's exit as Dr. Burke from Grey’s Anatomy being steeped in controversy, he has since returned – albeit briefly – to the show. In season 10, Dr. Burke invited Dr. Yang to Switzerland to take over his cardio thoracic research hospital. This was so he could spend more time with his Italian wife and children, while looking to move to Milan. Dr. Burke’s story is well and truly over and it’s unlikely that much more can be squeezed out of his character. However, his shadow has always hung over Grey’s Anatomy and it could be that by bringing him back again, if only briefly, his presence could truly be put to bed.
Callie Torres
Grey’s resident orthopedic surgeon has been through the emotional ringer more than most, having been forced to amputate her lover’s leg and being cheated on multiple times. Dr. Torres (Sara Ramirez) can also be ed for her iconic rendition of "The Story" during infamous musical episode, "Song Beneath The Song." Her tumultuous relationship with Dr. Arizona Robbins seemed to have resolved itself by the time Dr. Torres took off to New York at the end of season 12. A strong, powerful presence in the show, she is a sorely missed character. And despite Ramirez initially wanting to take a break from the show, a Grey's Anatomy season 19 appearance wouldn’t go amiss.
Arizona Robbins
By the end of season 14, Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) had gone to New York to reconcile with Dr. Torres. Her presence in the show was a huge step forward for the LGBTQ+ community and while not originally one of the nine season 1 regulars, she left a huge impression. While her story seems to have finished, the audience is yet to know how Dr. Robbins and Dr. Torres reconciled and whether they ever got married. Perhaps Grey's Anatomy season 19 can answer that.