"Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 goes on air with Episode 1 "Sledgehammer" on Sept. 24, 2015. The premiere segment will see the doctors at Grey Sloane Memorial hospital treat two young girls with severe injuries. While the doctors take on new medical challenges, their personal and professional lives continue to move on. Meanwhile, some new storylines are introduced. Here are few things fans should watch out for as the show enters its twelfth year. Also, find out what's in store for their fan favourite couples and characters.
[Spoiler alert! This article contains update for "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12. Do not read further if you are avoiding spoilers.]
1. Changes for Meredith: "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 is expected to delve deeper into Meredith's life after Derek's death. She is now a single mother with three children. Struggles of her new life will also include adjustment with her new roommates, according to synopsis for Episode 1 "Sledgehammer." Her two new roommates are Amelia and Maggie, who are expected to bring lots of changes for Meredith.
2. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Ellen Pompeo said with three girls in the house one can expect "drinking and conflict, and boys."
Rumours claim that Meredith will find new love interest in "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12. In the interview, the actress revealed that Meredith will finally start "exploring the question of "Once you've had a perfect love and a perfect marriage, with the perfect guy, what do you do next?"
3. Japril: Japril faced their biggest challenges yet in "Grey's Anatomy" Season 11. After the untimely death of their son, the loss drifted the couple apart. While Jackson tried to cope up with their loss, April decided to take the opportunity to work at the army camp. Episode 1 will see Jackson preparing for April's return. The premiere segment is expected to reveal if the couple is still together or not.
4. Jolex: Jo and Alex have seen several ups and downs in their relationship, but it seems things are going to change soon. The couple is finally going to move in together in a place Jo bought with all her savings.
5. Owen and Amelia: While not much is known about Owen and Amelia's future together, there still might be some hope. According to Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Shonda Rhimes said that Owen and Amelia are "still circling in each other." But there is something unexpected in store for Owen. In "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12, Owen moves in with someone "he had not planned to."
6. Catherine and Richard: Fans must watch out for the newly wedded couple Catherine and Richard, who got married at the hospital chapel in Season 11 finale. What their domestic life brings for them remains to be seen.
7. A new competition for Bailey: Bailey continues to fight for the position of new chief of surgery. However, there is someone who may make things difficult for her. Watch out for Joe Lauren Adam's character that will be play Bailey's competition. She happens to be Catherine's candidate for the post.
8. New romances for Callie and Arizona: The estranged couple spent most of Season 11 dealing with their separation. In "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12, the ladies will be seen moving on with their lives and getting back on dating scene.
9. Maggie: Kelly McCreary's Maggie may find love this season. In an interview with Huffington Post, McCreary said that Maggie "will be cracking open that part of her life this season."
"It's so much fun and the way that it has unfolded so far is very, very hot. I think the fans will love it," McCreary teased. "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 will also explore more about Maggie's past and her history with her parents.
10. Martin Henderson as series regular: Fans must watch out for Martin Henderson's character who will be seen more often in "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12. The surgeon is said to be Derek's replacement and is speculated to be Meredith's new love interest.
11. New interns: Season 11 finale saw the introduction of new interns. "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 will dig deeper into their storylines. One of the interns to watch out for is Andrew DeLuca, played by Giacomo Gianniotti.
12. Lighter tone: Fans would agree that Season 11 was heavy on emotions and saw some major tragedies shaking up Seattle. "Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 will set "lighter tone" to the drama series as promised by Shonda Rhimes. In an interview with EW, Ellen Pompeo reiterated Rhimes thoughts saying: "This year we're going to turn over the soil, and the show has a lighter look. It's brighter. We're trying to go back a little bit more to the original Grey's and have a little bit of a lighter tone this year."
13. Three-month time jump: At the same time, three-month time jump may see some major developments in the existing storylines.
"Grey's Anatomy" Season 12 Episode 1 "Sledgehammer" airs Thursday at 8:00 pm on ABC. Be sure to come back for more spoilers.