Grey’s Anatomy’s Missing Doctor Sets Up Season 23’s Most Intense Plot

Published Sep 17, 2026, 8:30 AM EDT

Antonella Gugliersi (she/them) has been a feature writer for Screen Rant since 2021. While studying for her bachelor’s in Economics & Management, they started writing about movies and TV shows for Turin-based The Unconventional Mag. After a brief internship at TPI, she decided she wanted to pursue journalism and graduated with a degree in International Journalism from Brunel University.

One doctor who has become a recurring presence is notably absent from Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer. Grey’s Anatomy is set to return on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with a record-shattering 23rd season that cements its ability to keep viewers glued to the screen even after decades have passed and very few original characters remain. Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer raises the hype for the upcoming season, setting out the key storylines continuing from Grey’s Anatomy season 22 and introducing a big change for Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

One major development showcased by Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer is the hospital's new VIP floor, which has the potential to exacerbate the tension that revealed itself every time Catherine pushed a VIP patient onto the doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial. Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer also teased which romantic relationships whose storylines progressed massively in Grey’s Anatomy season 22 will be central, along with Meredith’s return to Grey Sloan Memorial and another mass casualty event.

By focusing on the hospital’s new features, the residents, and the medical drama’s three original characters remaining, it was inevitable that some key Grey’s Anatomy characters would be left out. However, one absence from Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer is particularly telling, especially considering how the character in question inadvertently caused a great deal of mayhem in Grey’s Anatomy season 22’s finale.

Sophia Bush's Cass Is Nowhere To Be Seen In Grey's Anatomy Season 23 Trailer

Cass Beckman is completely absent from Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer. While her presence wouldn’t regularly be expected, given that Cass works at Seattle Presbyterian, it’s unusual that Cass isn’t even mentioned, especially as she and Amelia hooking up in Grey’s Anatomy season 22’s finale stopped Toni Wright’s big love declaration to Amelia.

Sophia Bush’s Cass first appeared in Grey’s Anatomy season 21. Her instant connection with Teddy caused serious problems between Owen and Teddy, to the point that the couple even separated for a while as Teddy’s interest in Cass made the problems in their marriage unavoidable. While nothing came out of Cass and Teddy’s connection romantically, Cass returned multiple times to Grey Sloan Memorial to lend a hand as a surgeon. Cass operating on Nick Marsh made her appearance in Grey’s Anatomy season 22’s finale follow that same path until she and Amelia hooking up introduced another layer to the story.

It’s unknown if or when Sophia Bush will return to Grey’s Anatomy, as there has been no confirmation of her appearance in season 23. Grey’s Anatomy’s open-door policy to characters returning nevertheless makes another Cass visit in the future possible if the actor’s other work commitments allow. If that were to happen, it would make for an interesting development, especially in relation to Amelia.

Cass's Grey's Anatomy Absence Sets Up Amelia & Toni's Drama

While Cass was evidently absent from Grey’s Anatomy season 23’s trailer, both Amelia and Toni could be seen treading the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The promo didn’t show them interact, but it did briefly focus on a particularly heavy look shared between Amelia and Toni. This effectively sets up their romance as a major storyline in Grey’s Anatomy season 23.

Having a history made Toni and Amelia’s story in Grey’s Anatomy season 22 go incredibly fast. Indeed, the belief they hated each other when they actually had a crush on one another made the development of their romance feel almost like a continuation of what they could have had back in med school. Toni’s ex, Celine, wanting to move to Seattle for her brought Toni and Amelia back to the present, highlighting that what they felt was strong, but there was also the family that Toni and Celine had that needed to be considered.

In light of that baggage, Amelia and Cass hooking up made sense, especially as Toni wanted to hear Celine out. However, it became so much more than that once Toni effectively ran to Amelia to tell her she wanted to be with her, only to find Amelia in someone else’s arms. That, coupled with Toni and Amelia’s shared look in the trailer, truly set up their love story as emotionally intense.

Toni discovering Cass and Amelia’s dalliance drastically changes her and Amelia’s romance. However, in doing so, it can also make it into something more lasting because Toni and Amelia will have this massive hurdle to overcome together if they want to give their love a chance in Grey’s Anatomy season 23.

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