The ninth episode of Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 is set to air soon. Titled “Fortunate Son,” the episode will feature significant developments for Dr. Richard Webber and a special visit for Meredith Grey and Nick Marsh. This installment continues the series’ long-running tradition of mixing intense medical cases with deep personal drama.
Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 Episode 9 will premiere on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The episode airs on ABC at its regular time slot, 10:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) and Pacific Time (PT). For viewers watching from the Central Time Zone, that means 9:00 PM CT. The show continues to follow a weekly release schedule for its broadcast.
Episode 9 Official Synopsis and Story Details
The official description for the episode provides a clear look at the main plots. Richard Webber continues to navigate his recent cancer diagnosis, a storyline that has deep personal resonance for actor James Pickens Jr., who successfully underwent treatment for prostate cancer in real life. The episode will also focus on Meredith Grey and Nick Marsh, who are visited by Nick’s estranged sister from Boston.
This visit is expected to bring new family dynamics and past baggage to the forefront for Nick and Meredith. Actor Scott Speedman returns as Nick for this storyline.
Richard continues to navigate his health. Meanwhile, Meredith and Nick are visited by Nick’s estranged sister from Boston.
How to Watch Episode 9 Live and On Demand
For viewers in the United States, the primary way to watch the episode live is on the ABC television network. If you miss the live broadcast, the episode will be available for streaming the next day on Hulu. ABC and Hulu are both owned by Disney, which facilitates this quick turnaround for next-day streaming.
International fans have different options. In the United Kingdom, new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 typically become available to stream on Disney+ on Fridays, the day after the U.S. broadcast. This pattern holds true for Canada, Australia, and many other global markets where Disney+ is the official streaming home for the series. Viewers in India can also watch the new season on Disney+ Hotstar.
Recap of Key Events From Episode 8 Leading Into Episode 9
The previous episode, which aired on January 15, 2026, set the stage for the ongoing stories. The central plot continued to follow Dr. Richard Webber as he grappled with his diagnosis. His wife, Catherine Avery, insisted he get a second opinion from a doctor he does not supervise, leading to significant tension between them.
Meanwhile, the episode showed Dr. Jo Wilson making a full recovery from her life-threatening childbirth complications. She began to process her emotions as a new mother of twins in the NICU, while also noticing a budding connection between Dr. Winston Ndugu and a nurse named Iris. The professional story involved Dr. Miranda Bailey and Dr. Owen Hunt teaming up to tackle a complex, high-risk tumor case, finding inspiration in Dr. Teddy Altman’s recent successes.
Cast and Characters Appearing in Season 22 Episode 9
The main cast for Season 22 remains consistent, though episode appearances vary. Ellen Pompeo returns as Dr. Meredith Grey for this episode, continuing her pattern of appearing in select installments throughout the season. The episode also features Scott Speedman as Dr. Nick Marsh.
The rest of the core surgical team expected to appear includes:
- Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
- James Pickens Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber
- Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt
- Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman
- Camilla Luddington as Dr. Jo Wilson
- Anthony Hill as Dr. Winston Ndugu
- Alexis Floyd as Dr. Simone Griffith
- Adelaide Kane as Dr. Jules Millin
- Niko Terho as Dr. Lucas Adams
- Harry Shum Jr. as Dr. Benson “Blue” Kwan
Additional series regulars and recurring actors like Chris Carmack (Link), Caterina Scorsone (Amelia), Jason George (Ben), and Debbie Allen (Catherine) are also part of the season’s ensemble. The episode is written by Julie Wong and directed by Kim Raver, who also stars as Teddy Altman.
The Significance of Richard Webber’s Cancer Storyline
The storyline involving Richard Webber’s prostate cancer is one of the most emotionally charged of the season. It mirrors the real-life health journey of actor James Pickens Jr., who was diagnosed with prostate cancer, underwent treatment, and has since been declared cancer-free.
In the show, Webber’s conflict goes beyond fear of the surgery itself. In Episode 8, he revealed a deeper concern to his doctor: the potential need for opioid pain management post-surgery, which threatens his long-held sobriety. This layer adds profound complexity to his decision-making process.
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What’s Next After Episode 9?
Following “Fortunate Son,” the series will continue with Episode 10 on January 29, 2026. That episode, titled “Strip That Down,” is highly anticipated as it will feature the return of Kate Walsh as the beloved Dr. Addison Montgomery. Season 22 is scheduled to have a total of 18 episodes, with the season currently set to run through early 2026.
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