Carina DeLuca made a lasting impression onGrey’s Anatomybefore transitioning toStation 19, and while she was great in the spinoff, her character truly shined at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. As a highly skilled OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, Carina brought depth and emotional complexity toGrey’s Anatomyas she handled high-risk pregnancies and advocated for reproductive healthcare.

Now, withStation 19ending after season 7, viewers wonder if Carina could return to the medical drama where she had the most impact.Grey’s Anatomyhas a long history of bringing back beloved characters. so Carina very well could make another appearance. Her expertise in women’s health could be crucial for upcoming storylines, especially as Grey Sloan navigates reproductive rights and maternal medicine.

Stefania Spampinato As Carina DeLuca Smiling In Grey’s Anatomy.jpg

Carina Left Grey’s Anatomy For Station 19Due To Her Relationship With Maya

Station 19Allowed Carina To Explore New Relationships

Carina DeLuca’s departure fromGrey’s Anatomyand her move toStation 19was a significant shift for the character, driven by both personal and professional motivations. Carina was introduced as the lively and passionate sister of Andrew DeLuca, and while her role inGrey’s Anatomywas initially focused on her work as an OB-GYN, her storylines often centered around her romantic entanglements and her connection to her brother.

Her character developmentprompted her to move fromGrey’s AnatomytoStation 19.The decision allowed Carina’s storyline to expand and integrate more with theStation 19universe, where she could explore new challenges and new romances.Specifically, while onStation 19, Carina became more deeply involved with the firehouse crew, including Maya Bishop, who became a central point of her character arc.

Alexis Floyd as Simone, Adelaide Kane as Jules and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy season 21

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Carina’s shift from one show to another was likely part of a broader strategy to strengthen ties between the two series.Station 19has often served as a platform for characters and storylines fromGrey’s Anatomyto migrate and grow, and Carina’s move allowed for more cross-over potential. Plus, Carina being onStation 19allowed for storylines she never had onGrey’s. By the end ofStation 19,Carina even had a baby with Maya.

Addison, Bailey, Jo & Carina wearing black scrubs In Grey’s Anatomy Season 19

Carina’s Work Was More Impactful At Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital

She Was Making Medical Breakthroughs

Although Carina’s move toStation 19allowed her (and the writers) to experience new things, Carina was arguably better suited at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. She came to Grey Sloan because she wanted to work with afemale Chief of Surgery. Upon moving to Seattle and securing a spot on Grey Sloan’s medical team, she wasted no time delving into important research. Carina was able to secure an MRI to look at women’s brains before, after, and during an orgasm.She then took the research that she did on female orgasms and used it to make childbirth less painful.

So, having Carina leave Grey’s Anatomy and jump ship toStation 19is a curious choice. However, the writers likely wanted to explore Carina’s relationship with Maya in more depth, especially considering thatbisexual relationships between women aren’t seen as much on television. But while the choice to bring Carina over toStation 19certainly delivers valid representation, it doesn’t make her work at Grey Sloan Hospital any less vital or mean that she wasn’t better suited within hospital walls.

James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy season 21 episode 3

Carina’s Season 20 Cameo Opens The Door For Her Return To Grey’s

She Could Come Back As A Mentor To Jo

Carina’s cameo inGrey’s Anatomyseason 20reignites the possibility of her return to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, setting up a potential storyline that could bring her back full-time. Themost obvious factor that could facilitate Carina’s return is the ongoing need for strong leadership in Grey Sloan’s OB-GYN department. Carina makes her cameo appearance in season 20, after an OB-GYN case goes awry. In that same episode, Jo also said that she was planning to quit any other medical pursuits and focus solely on OB-GYN work.

Considering that Carina was Jo’s mentor,Jo going back to focus on OB-GYN care seems like a natural way to bring Carina back into the showwhile also unpacking her personal life, which is seen in detail inStation 19. Her return could also reignite old professional relationships, particularly with her old mentor, Miranda Bailey, and colleagues who value her contributions.

Stefania Spampinato As Carina & Caterina Scorsone As Amelia In Grey’s Anatomy.jpg

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The end of year Nielson report announced that Grey’s Anatomy and Bluey were the highest-streamed titles of 2024. While both of these shows are hugely popular, I’m surprised that they took the top spots. Bluey was streamed on Disney+ for an incredible 55.62 billion minutes, whereas 47.85 billion minutes of Grey’s Anatomy were watched across Hulu and Netflix. I can understand that there’s a lot of Grey’s Anatomy, but Bluey doesn’t have anywhere near as much content, although it’s audience base is known for watching the same thing again and again.

Carina’s cameo reminds fans that she is still part of theGrey’s Anatomyuniverse, making it easier for the showrunners to reintegrate herinto the main storyline. Whether through a temporary return or a long-term position at the hospital, Carina’s presence in season 20 hints at unfinished business at Grey Sloan.

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy season 3 and season 21

There’s A Chance For Carina To Return In Grey’s Anatomy Season 21

The Show Is Known For Re-Introducing Characters

Right now, there are no official plans to bring Carina back forGrey’s Anatomyseason 21. However, several narrative elements within the show suggest a plausible pathway for her reappearance. Carina’s OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist expertise has been invaluable to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. With the hospital continually facing complex medical cases, her specialized skills could be crucial in upcoming storylines.

The connections betweenGrey’s AnatomyandStation 19provide a seamless avenue for character crossovers. Carina’s personal relationship with Maya inStation 19further strengthens this link.Changes in Maya’s career or personal life could serve as catalysts for Carina’s return to Grey Sloan.For instance, if Maya were to take on a role that demands more time or relocate, Carina might find herself drawn back to the hospital setting.

Grey’s Anatomy Poster

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It’s worth noting thatGrey’s Anatomyhas a history of dropping charactersonly to reintroduce them later to explore unresolved storylines or to infuse fresh dynamics into the narrative. Carina’s character arc still holds potential for further professional and personal development. Her return could delve into her journey of coping with her brotherAndrew DeLuca’s tragic death, offering a deeper exploration of her character’s resilience and growth.

Grey’s Anatomyexecutive producer Meg Marinis discussed the potential for Carina to return to the series, saying, “Carina exists in our world, so [an appearance is] always a possibility.” While there hasn’t been an official confirmation from the show’s creatives about Carina’s return inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21, the narrative groundwork laid in previous seasons, combined with the show’s popularity, makes Carina’s re-appearance an exciting possibility for viewers.