The new interns are back to Grey’s Anatomy season 20 – and there’s even more drama, romance and complications to come.
Harry Shum Jr.Midori Francis, Alexis Floyd, Adelaide Kane and Niko Terho gave ET’s Deidre Behar a tour of Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital ahead of the season premiere and talked about what it’s been like joining the long-running medical drama.
“It was exciting. It was challenging,” said Shum, who plays Dr. Benson “Blue” Kwan. “You feel like you are part of history just by being part of the show, but also by being well looked after. We have incredible doctors, incredible people who are going to make sure we are successful. like we’re succeeding, but as interns we’re also failing a lot, so that’s the fun part.”
Francis, who plays Dr Mika Yasuda, admitted she was a little naive about the show’s “die-hard” fan base when she took on the role – but she learned quickly.
“There were people in my life that I had known for a long time who would suddenly say, ‘Oh my God, Grey’s Anatomy. I’ve seen every episode that’s ever aired,’” she recalled. “It’s never, like, a bit of a lukewarm response. It’s always like, if you’re a big fan, you’re a big fan… So that part has been really amazing, meeting these fans who love the show so much.”
“They were very kind to us,” agreed Kane. “And we appreciate that, because it’s always a little nerve-wracking coming into a well-established show, especially a show as storied and historic as Grey.“
And there’s a lot of love going on on screen, too. The season 19 finale saw Dr. Simone Griffith (Floyd) walk away from her wedding and share a swooning moment – and a steamy call room hookup – with Dr. But it looks like it won’t be smooth sailing between the two, as they have a lot to work on.
“Complicated is the word,” joked Terho. “I mean, it’s Grey’s Anatomy – what do you expect?”
As for how hot things could get between the two in the upcoming episodes, the pair admitted that they only filmed part of the season, but that things are definitely “percolating.”
“I’d say we’re down,” Floyd joked. “It’s filtering, but we’re cooking something.”
A scale of 1 to 10? “I think you’ll get anywhere from one to 10,” the actress added.
As for Blue and Dr. Jules Millin (Kane), who have more of a “lover’s rivals” story, things are sure to get even more complicated after Blue disregards a DNR order for Jules’ elderly roommate and ” favorite person, “Maxine Anderson (Juliet Mills) – leading her to make a spontaneous love confession in the heat of the moment.
“It’s interesting to see the two of them simply resisting the development of feelings, resistance for each other,” Kane reflected. “It’s a bit of a rivalry between lovers, which is a fantastic trope.”
“The resistance is there,” agreed Shum. “You just don’t know where it could go.”
But it’s clear that everyone still has a job to do, and Floyd hinted that this season, the interns are “taking it back to basics” after the chaotic and tragic events of the Season 19 finale.
“I think I’m finding some relaxation and rhythm,” she continued. “It was a super stressful first day on set, but immediately, I think we realized that the original cast and everyone who has joined the show since then opened the barn doors for us and (welcomed us)… This year, I’m trying to relax and trust myself a little more. And then continue learning from my greatest teachers, which are these guys.
Francis agreed, adding that she also gained “a genuine appreciation for what medical school is like.”
“These people who care for us go through this — so crazy respect and gratitude,” she noted.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9pm PT/ET on ABC.
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