Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 18: Release date news, streaming details and more

Grey’s Anatomy is about to close the curtain on another season, and if the title How Do I Live is any clue, we’re in for an emotional ride. The season 21 finale airs on May 15, 2025, at 10 PM (ET) on ABC and lands on Hulu the next day. Even after more than 20 years, the show still knows how to stir things up, keeping longtime fans invested and welcoming new ones along the way.

Season 21 has been all about transition. With a new batch of residents stepping up, familiar faces dealing with change, and a few surprises thrown in, it feels like the show is balancing its legacy with a sense of renewal. It’s no small feat after two decades, but Grey’s pulls it off with heart and honesty.

A show that’s stood the test of time

First aired back in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy started as a fresh medical drama and quickly became one of the most iconic series on television. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the show introduced viewers to life inside Seattle’s Grey Sloan Memorial, a hospital where surgeries are intense, but the emotions cut even deeper.

Now, with Meg Marinis as showrunner, Grey’s continues to evolve while honoring what’s always made it special: complex characters, relationships that feel real, and stories that reflect the messiness of being human.

What season 21 has been building toward

This season has followed the journey of new surgical interns who are finally transitioning into their second year. Along the way, they’ve stumbled, grown, and started to find their footing. It hasn’t been easy; juggling high-stakes medicine with personal crises never is, but watching them evolve has added fresh energy to the show.

At the same time, familiar names like Jo, Link, Levi, and Bailey have had their own moments to shine. Whether facing heartbreak, burnout, or big decisions about the future, the characters have brought depth and vulnerability to every episode. And while there have been callbacks to earlier seasons, the writing has focused on growth, not just nostalgia.

Episode 18: How Do I Live

The finale promises to be both chaotic and meaningful. The residents are gearing up to celebrate their promotion, but as usual at Grey Sloan, the celebration doesn’t last long. A sudden crisis in the operating room flips the tone completely, forcing everyone to spring into action.

This kind of tension, where everything can change in a single moment, is classic Grey’s Anatomy. But what really hits is how the characters respond. With lives on the line and emotions running high, the finale is expected to bring resolution to some season-long storylines and maybe even set the stage for what’s to come.

New to Grey’s? You’re not too late

One of the things Grey’s Anatomy does well is making space for new viewers. Sure, there’s history, a lot of it, but the show doesn’t expect you to know every detail. Each episode is its own blend of medical drama and personal storytelling, and season 21 does a solid job introducing new characters and dynamics that feel easy to connect with.

How to watch?

The finale airs on ABC, and you’ll find it on Hulu the very next day. Hulu also has the rest of season 21, plus earlier seasons if you’re in the mood to start from the beginning or just want to revisit your favorite moments.

Is this really the end?

Not quite, at least, not yet. While ABC hasn’t officially confirmed a 22nd season, all signs point to Grey’s Anatomy continuing its run. The show still has a dedicated audience, and as long as there are stories to tell, it’s clear there’s still life left at Grey Sloan Memorial.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh

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