Grey’s Anatomyshowrunner Meg Marinis has discussed the success of rival showThe Pitt, and given her views on the competition between the hit medical dramas.Grey’s Anatomyseason 21is currently airing, but ABC’s ratings behemoth shows little sign of slowing down any time soon. Conversely,The Pitthas just concluded its debut season on Max, and has enjoyed critical acclaim, as well as a season 2 renewal, and comparisons can be drawn between the two shows, particularly the dramatic storytelling, and smorgasbord of interesting characters.
In an interview with theLA Times, Marinis discusses her plans for the future ofGrey’s Anatomy, as well as talking about the success ofThe Pitt, and whether there is a rivalry between the shows.She reveals that it’s natural to wonder about some of the storylinesThe Pittis exploring, and how they compare withGrey’s Anatomy, before stating she has not yet watched the rival show as she doesn’t want it to influence her writing, but plans to get around to it. Check out Marinis’s comments below:
“Grey’s” has endured as others in the genre have come and gone. When you see something like “The Pitt” become this drama that has people talking, what do you take from that at this stage in “Grey’s” run?
There’s a couple of things — you can’t help but think, “Oh, what kind of stories are they telling? Are they telling cooler stories than we are?” I really want to watch “The Pitt,” I’m waiting until hiatus because I do love medical shows, but I try not to watch them when I’m writing just to stay completely focused on “Grey’s.” I don’t want to compete or compare. They’re all different. This interest means that people still like medical shows. They’re still relevant.
What These Comments Mean For Grey’s Anatomy Moving Forward
The Show is An Institution By This Point & Should Focus On What It’s Good At
The Pitt’s gritty realism, and fresh and unique approach - 12 episodes each covering 1 hour of a 12-hour shift on the emergency ward - is a compelling narrative structure. However,what has always madeGrey’s Anatomyso popular is the personal lives of its characters, and how these seep into, and impact, their professional lives, and the working environment. While there is always a temptation to change approach, especially after so many seasons, there is the feelingGrey’sshould stick to its successful formula.
Whilst it feels unlikelyGrey’s Anatomywill seek to change its format to compete with a newer show, the success ofThe Pitt, at the very least, will serve to keep Marinis and the rest of theGrey’s Anatomyteam on their toes.
Marinis' comments suggest she agrees with this sentiment, and that she is fully focused on lettingGrey’s AnatomybeGrey’s Anatomy, without trying to copy other things. The audience for the show exists for a reason, and trying to make drastic changes at this stage would not fit narratively or tonally. However,once Marinis does watchThe Pitt, she could be inspired to introduce some fresh arcs into theGrey’s Anatomystorylines, and this wouldn’t necessarily be seen as a bad thing.
Our Verdict On How The Pitt Could Impact The Future Of Grey’s Anatomy
The Series Could Look To Evolve To Keep Up With Its Competition
While it feels unlikelyGrey’s Anatomywill seek to change its format to compete with a newer show, the success ofThe Pitt, at the very least, will serve to keep Marinis and the rest of theGrey’s Anatomyteam on their toes. They will need to ensure consistent quality and compelling stories in order to keep viewers, and the show will be better for it. If it should happen,Grey’s Anatomyseason 22could seek to take inspiration from thingsThe Pitthas done well, while still being true to itself.
Grey’s Anatomy
Cast
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.
