Bustle Exclusive
The longtime staffer, first-time showrunner opens up about Season 20.
Greys AnatomySeason 20 begins with a predicament that will feel tonally familiar to longtime fans.
Clearly, the newinternsare living up to their forebears legacy.
You think your class wasnt as bad as this one?
But as her mentor playfully urges, Remember how you got there.
Its going back and remembering why you love what you do.
She takes the helm at an exciting moment of reset.
Season 20 is the firstwithout Pompeoas a series regular.
Shes still really invested in the show.
Shes still doing the voiceover, Marinis says of Pompeos trademark monologues.
Shes an icon to them.
And Meredith isnt the onlyGreysidol gracing the hospital halls this year.
Below, Marinis opens up aboutArizonas return,Easter eggs, and a nerve-racking Season 11 storyline.
Which specific era from the show are hoping to capture the spirit of?
Season 1, when Meredith and all of them were interns.
I love telling stories with interns.
Attendings shouldnt be messing up all the time,but interns can,and thats really fun to write.
Looking back, are there storylines that made the writers room especially nervous?
It was my episode that theyhad that 30-day break,and they ended up not being together.
And I mean, Twitterhatedme.
It was the right story at the time, but I remember the feeling in the room.
It was like,Were gonna do this, and its gonna be really hard.
Speaking of Arizona, can you talk about the decision to bringJessica Capshawback this year?
We havent seen her in a very long time.
All the stars aligned.
It was so nice to have her back.
It felt like shed never left, just hearing Jessicas laugh on stage.
Do you have a favorite memory of working with Shonda Rhimes?
She was always so great about sharing her excitement for the stories.
And youre like,Oh my god.
How has makingGreyschanged in the past 20 years?
Well, medicine has changed.
The stories we were telling about Alzheimers 20 years ago, were not doing those treatments anymore.
Workplaces are also different.
I feel like 20 years ago, youd hear horror stories about somebody throwing an instrument.
I dont hear those stories anymore when we talk to real doctors.
I mean, Idhopeits different in hospitals, but at least in ours, its different.
Then we have thatpower dynamic.
Greyshas hadmany celebrity guest stars.
Do you have favorite memories of working with them?
We hadJurnee Smolletton Season 4, and she was so lovely.
I hear youre aGreysencyclopedia.
Can you share any Easter eggs fans should look for on a rewatch?
Theres one episode in Season 6 whenJackson and Aprilhad just joined.
There were so many people around the bed trying to save her.
And we always attempt to give them medical business so it looks like the doctors are busy.
Thats one I always laugh about.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
