Summary
Grey’s Anatomy’s second spin-off came to an end after a 6-year run withStation 19season 7’s finale. While the conclusion of the firefighter-centered action-drama series marks the end of an era for the universe that Shonda Rhimes created withGrey’s Anatomy, the parent series is still alive and well. In fact,Grey’s Anatomyseason 21 has been green-lit, further cementing the show’s history-making run.However,Station 19isn’t the onlyGrey’sspin-off — nor is it the most lauded.In 2007, Rhimes created her beloved series' first spin-off:Private Practice.
The 6-season spin-off, which ran until 2013, chroniclesDr. Addison Montgomery’s (Kate Walsh) change of scenery. After following her soon-to-be-ex-husband Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) across the country to Seattle, Addison realizes there’s nothing left in their marriage to salvage. Although Addison was the first to cheat — she memorably had a fling with Mark “McSteamy” Sloan (Eric Dane) — Derek is very much smitten with Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). Eager to move on with her life,Addison relocates to Los Angeles to work at Seaside Health & Wellness Center, the series' titular private practice.
Private Practice Outshined Grey’s Anatomy For Many Years
The Kate Walsh-Starring Medical Drama Featured An All-Star Cast
A few months afterPrivate Practice’s season 6renewal, ABC announced that the sixth outing would be the spin-off’s last. Written by Rhimes,Private Practice’s backdoor pilot was wedged into an expanded two-hour broadcast of aGrey’s Anatomyseason 3 episode. Initially, Addison Montgomery travels to Los Angeles to seek a consult from Dr. Naomi Bennett (Audra McDonald), a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist who also happens to be Addison’s friend. While Addison doesn’t receive great news regarding her chances of having a child, she learns a lot about the Oceanside Wellness Center and its staff.
Series creator Shonda Rhimes has been pretty vocal about having plenty of Private Practice stories left to tell.
While most spin-offs rarely hold a candle to their predecessor,Private Practiceis the exception. Even the sister shows' crossover moments are memorable, especially duringPrivate Practiceseason 2. Despite its medical drama focus,Private Practiceseparates itself fromGrey’s Anatomy, often digging deeper into far more nuanced plots than its parent series. Needless to say, there’s definitely a niche for the spin-off to fill — as well as an interest in reviving it. Series creator Shonda Rhimes has been pretty vocal about having plenty ofPrivate Practicestories left to tell (viaDeadline).
7 Reasons Station 19’s Series Finale Makes Me Worried About The Ending Of Grey’s Anatomy
After seven seasons, Station 19 came to an end, and its underwhelming conclusion has some lessons for Grey’s Anatomy’s eventual series finale.
Kate Walsh and Many Cast Members Are Open To Returning For Private Practice
Even Shonda Rhimes Has More Private Practice Stories To Tell
One of the key reasons theGrey’s Anatomyspin-off was so successful?Private Practiceboasts a remarkable cast of characters. In addition to Kate Walsh’s Addison Montgomery and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald’s Naomi Bennett, the series also features Pete Wilder (Tim Daly), Cooper Freedman (Paul Adelstein), Charlotte King (KaDee Strickland), William “Dell” Parker (Chris Lowell), Sam Bennett (Taye Diggs), Violet Turner (Amy Brenneman), Sheldon Wallace (Brian Benben), Jake Reilly (Benjamin Bratt), and, of course, currentGrey’s Anatomyregular Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone).Carrying onGrey’s Anatomy’s focus on an ensemble,Private Practicehas many compelling threads.
Kate Walsh chimed in about revisitingPrivate Practice, expressing her excitement about Rhimes' words.
In the wake of Rhimes' comments about the spin-off’s “endless possibility,“Kate Walsh chimed in about revisitingPrivate Practice, expressing her excitement about Rhimes' words. “That cast and I — we’re all very close… And I think everybody would be thrilled to do something in that area,” Walsh said in an interview. “[Even if it’s] for a limited thing.” That said,knowing the bulk of the cast is interested in returning to a show that they loved working on makes it easier to get the wheels in motionfor aPrivate Practicecomeback.
1 Private Practice Star Who Hasn’t Appeared On Grey’s Anatomy (But Should)
Despite multiple crossovers between the series, one Private Practice star hasn’t had the chance to appear on Grey’s Anatomy, but that should change.
The World Has Changed Since The Private Practice Series Finale
Addison Montgomery Has Appeared On Grey’s Anatomy As Recently As Season 19
SincePrivate Practiceended in 2013 — just about 11 years ago — the world of the series has no doubt changed considerably in the meantime. Of course,Kate Walsh’s Addison has returned toGrey’s Anatomyin the interim. Most notably, Addison joined Miranda Bailey’s (Chandra Wilson) efforts to make reproductive healthcare safe and accessible to patients living in states impacted by the overturning ofRoe v. Wade. On the other hand, it’s clear that Amelia doesn’t keep in touch with her former Los Angeles colleagues, thoughGrey’s Anatomyseason 20’s endingpositions Dr. Shepherd perfectly for aPrivate Practicejob.
All 6 seasons ofPrivate Practice, all 20 seasons ofGrey’s Anatomy, and all 7 seasons ofStation 19are streaming on Hulu.
Private Practice
A spin-off Grey’s Anatomy, the medical drama Private Practice stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery, as she leaves her former job at Seattle Grace Hospital in order to join a private practice in Los Angeles. The series aired on ABC for six seasons from 2007-2013.
