Development

Grey's Anatomy was renewed by ABC on May 10, 2012.^[30] In June 2012, ABC set the premiere date of Grey's Anatomy to September 27, 2012, and it would remain in the Thursday 9:00pm timeslot that it has had since the third season.^[1] In October 2012, it was reported that this season would have the same episode count as season 8, meaning it would have a total of 24 episodes.^[2] Shonda Rhimes revealed that the season 9 finale would not revolve around a 'disaster' episode.^[31]

Casting

In May 2012, it was announced that 6 original cast-mates, Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr. and Patrick Dempsey had renewed their contracts for another 2 seasons, as Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Alex Karev, Miranda Bailey, Richard Webber and Derek Shepherd respectively.^[32] In July 2012, it was announced that cast member Eric Dane would not be returning to Grey's Anatomy as a series-regular, and would leave after 2 episodes to give his character a proper ending.^[33] In addition, Chyler Leigh requested to be released from her contract to spend more time with her family and her character was killed off in the season 8 finale,^[34] while Kim Raver also departed from the show following the events of the season 8 finale, having declined the offer of a contract extension.^[35][36] Other series regulars, Sara Ramirez, Kevin McKidd, Jessica Capshaw, Sarah Drew, and Jesse Williams all returned to the series as regulars, though Capshaw would not have a major role in the first few episodes because of her maternity leave.

In August 2012, it was announced that Camilla Luddington, Gaius Charles and Tina Majorino had been cast as Jo Wilson, Shane Ross, and Heather Brooks respectively; these characters would be the new interns of Seattle Grace-Mercy West.^[37] TVGuide later reported that even with all of the recurring cast being added to Grey's Anatomy for the new season that True Blood star Camilla Luddington is the only actress with an option to become a series-regular.^[38] In September 2012, it was announced that Jerrika Hinton and Tessa Ferrer had been cast as new interns Stephanie Edwards and Leah Murphy respectively.^[39][40] In August 2012, it was announced that Debbie Allen would reprise her role as Catherine Avery at sometime in series,^[41] and she is set to direct the third episode. In September 2012, it was announced that Steven Culp would be cast as a new doctor at a new hospital, and would be known as Dr. Parker.^[42]

In September 2012, it was announced that William Daniels, former Boy Meets World star, and Jason George would reprise their roles as Dr. Craig Thomas, and Ben Warren respectively.^[43] In September 2012, TVLine reported that Bones's Andrew Leeds had been cast in a potentially recurring role for the ninth season.^[44] In December 2012, Wetpaint reported that Constance Zimmer had been cast in a recurring role as Dr. Cahill and would appear in at least 4 episodes.^[45] In November 2012, it was announced that Neve Campbell, known for her role in Scream (1996), would be cast as one of Derek's sisters. It was not until late November that her role was revealed as Liz Shepherd, a therapist. In November 2012, it was announced that in 2013, someone would die on Grey's Anatomy. TVGuide then reported that Loretta Devine, who is known as Adele Webber, would be reprising her role for 2 episodes, and that she would be the one to die. In November 2012, TVLine reported that Nip/Tuck alum Roma Maffia was cast in a recurring role as a member of the hospital board. In December 2012, TVLineTVLine and Wetpaint reported that Ringer and Switched at Birth star, Justin Bruening, was cast as a paramedic known as Matt.^[46][47]

In January 2013, it was announced that Gaius Charles, Tina Majorino, Jerrika Hinton and Tessa Ferrer were all given the option to become series-regulars if Grey's Anatomy were to be renewed.^[48] Sarah Chalke is set to guest-star in an episode in the spring, as TVLine reported in January 2013.^[49] It was announced by E! Online on March 29, One Tree Hill alumni Hilarie Burton will be cast in a recurring role as a specialist in an investigation going on in the hospital. Her character is to arrive on the twenty-second episode of the season.^[50] However, this later turned out to be untrue as Burton ended up portraying a specialist doctor named Lauren Boswell.

Ratings

Grey's Anatomy's ninth season opened up to 11.73 million viewers with a 4.4/12 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic.^[6] The viewership for the episode was an 11% increase from the previous season premiere, which was viewed by a total of 10.38 million people.^[51] The rating was a 7% increase from the previous season premiere, which received a 4.1/10 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic. The Nielsen score additionally registered the show as the week's highest-rated drama in the 18–49 demographic.^[52] As of December 2012, "Going, Going, Gone" has served as the season's most-viewed episode.^[6] "Run, Baby, Run" is the season's least-viewed episode, with 8.17 million viewers and a 2.9/8 Nielsen rating/share in the 18-49 demographic.^[14] At the time, the season finale was the series' lowest-watched season finale with 9.00 million viewers and 3.1 in the 18-49 rating demographci.

Critical response

The season received positive reviews with critics praising numerous aspects of the long-running medical drama including the bonds of the characters with each other and its connection with the audience. Robert Bianco of USA Today noted that after 9 seasons, "There's still life left in Grey's."^[101] What Culture gave a positive review for the season, "Grey's Anatomy has developed into a fine example of how a TV show can mature beyond its initial purpose."^[102] Toronto Star called it "a solid return to form."^[103] TV Fanatic gave a largely positive review to the season, "Grey's Anatomy always knows how to bring the drama and they did not fail in the Season 9."^[104]

Melissa Maerz of Entertainment Weekly also gave a positive response stating, "There's still one good reason to keep watching: Where else can you find such deep friendships between co-workers?"^[105] Margaret Lyons of New York Magazine wrote that the first part of the season "has been mostly a downer, thanks in part to a whole bunch of people dying at the beginning of the season and also the shocking lack of interesting romances."^[106]

Examiner.com reviewing the season finale wrote, "[Grey's] delivered yet another epic and emotional season finale that pushes our characters in challenging new directions." The site added, "'Perfect Storm' gets 5 out of 5 stars. This storm brought on all kinds of emotional strife and death that truly tests the seasoned doctors and pushes them to their element. They bond together, guiding each other through the dark and as the dust settles from this mayhem, there are casualties of all kinds. The tragedy that leaves us hanging until next fall is one hell of a thrill ride full to the brim with shocks."