New photos from the set of Grey’s Anatomy have given fans their strongest clue yet about which characters will survive the dramatic season 21 finale. The celebration of the show’s 450th episode featured four stars whose characters were left in grave danger, strongly suggesting they will continue in the new season.
The cast and crew recently gathered to mark the incredible milestone of 450 episodes. During the festivities, Anthony Hill, who plays Dr. Winston Ndugu, posted a series of behind-the-scenes photos on his Instagram. One key group picture included James Pickens Jr. (Dr. Richard Webber), Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey), Chris Carmack (Dr. Atticus “Link” Lincoln), and Niko Terho (Dr. Lucas Adams).
Their appearance at the celebration is significant because all four of their characters were in peril after a massive gas explosion ripped through the operating room wing at the end of last season. Seeing them together for this major event has led many to believe their roles on the show are secure.
The Dangerous Cliffhanger
The season 21 finale ended with a catastrophic explosion at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The crisis began when a patient’s mother, played by Piper Perabo, brought a highly flammable acetylene tank into an operating room. She was desperate to force Dr. Amelia Shepherd to perform a risky surgery on her daughter.
Although the surgery was successful, the tank was accidentally opened, allowing the flammable gas to leak. The finale’s final moments showed a massive explosion engulfing the entire OR wing. Several main characters were on that exact floor when the blast happened, including Dr. Bailey and Dr. Link. Dr. Adams was also seen running toward the danger just moments before the explosion.
Showrunner Meg Marinis has been careful not to reveal who survives, adding to the suspense. In a recent interview, she stated, “I don’t think we can say anyone is necessarily safe.” This has left fans anxiously speculating about which characters might be written out of the show.
What the Celebration Reveals
The 450th episode party was a major event on set, attended by many of the show’s key figures. Executive producers Shonda Rhimes, Meg Marinis, and Betsy Beers were all present, along with a large portion of the cast.
The episode being celebrated, titled “We Built This City,” is the second episode of season 22 and is scheduled to air on October 16, 2025. It will show the hospital staff dealing with a chaotic first day of surgical rotations while navigating ongoing hospital renovations.
The presence of Pickens, Wilson, Carmack, and Terho at this specific celebration is the most concrete evidence fans have received so far that these characters are not being killed off. It is unlikely that actors whose characters were being written out of the show would participate so prominently in a milestone celebration.
Official Confirmations and Contracts
While the celebration photos are telling, some official reports also support the idea that these actors are staying.
According to entertainment news outlets, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr., two of the original cast members still on the show, already have contracts in place to return for season 22. This strongly backs up the fan theory that their characters will survive the explosion.
For Chris Carmack (Link) and Niko Terho (Adams), the situation has been less clear. Before the celebration, Carmack had been ambiguous about his return, telling one publication, “I don’t know what I can share because I don’t know anything yet.” He later added, “Wait — now that I think about it, I haven’t gotten the call yet saying, ‘See ya in July’.”
The visible presence of all four actors together, smiling alongside the show’s creator and current producers, has effectively ended much of the speculation about their futures on the show.
A History of Surprise Exits
Long-time Grey’s Anatomy fans know better than to assume any character is completely safe. The show has a famous history of shocking and emotional character departures, from the tragic death of Derek Shepherd to the exit of Cristina Yang.
This history is why fans closely analyze every clue about who might stay or go. The 450th episode celebration provided the kind of evidence that dedicated fans look for. As one entertainment website noted, “Fans took these sightings as an indication that these characters are not saying goodbye to Grey Sloan Memorial anytime soon.”
However, the same source also offered a word of caution, reminding readers that “appearing in a group photo does not always translate to long-term survival on this wacky show!”
What Happens Next
The premiere of season 22 on October 9, 2025, will finally provide answers to the cliffhanger. Titled “Only the Strong Survive,” the episode will show the staff scrambling to save lives—both their patients’ and their own—in the immediate aftermath of the explosion.
While the celebration photos strongly point to the survival of Webber, Bailey, Link, and Adams, the premiere will reveal the full impact of the explosion and which characters, if any, were lost.
For now, the 450th episode milestone was a moment of joy for the cast and crew of a show that continues to make television history. The behind-the-scenes photos not only celebrated this achievement but also gave hopeful fans a welcome glimpse of the familiar faces they can likely expect to see back in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial.
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