ABC medical drama Grey’s Anatomy has enlisted Rise and How I Met Your Mother grad Josh Radnor as a potential love interest for Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey. It’s unclear how many episodes Radnor will appear in. He begins his role on Thursday’s episode, in which his character arrives to pick up Meredith for a blind date. Additional details about Radnor’s character are being kept under wraps.
During Grey’s Anatomy’s 15th season, Meredith has been treating a patient who has in return been treating the top surgeon’s heart as a love doctor of sorts. Showrunner Krista Vernoff said in an interview that season 15 will explore Meredith dating for what really is the first time.
“Meredith didn’t really date originally. She fell in love with McDreamy (Patrick Dempsey). And for a little while there when he turned out to be married to someone else [Addison, played by Kate Walsh], there was some sleeping around by way of comfort and there was McVet (Chris O’Donnell),” Vernoff said. “And then she was with Derek and then she was married and having kids, and then suddenly and painfully, she became a widow. Then, there was a rebound romance or two. Martin Henderson was terrific, but it’s hard for me to think of Riggs as anything but a rebound because of how soon he came in after Derek. And then last season, she focused on work and became something of a medical superhero.
“Now, she’s really single, she’s past the intense, initial grief,” Vernoff continued. “Derek will always be with her — in her heart and in the faces and hearts of their kids — but he’s gone and she’s still here and at the end of the season premiere she’s admitting that she wants more. She’s agreeing with Cece [Caroline Clay], the matchmaker, that there is no cap on happiness. That she can be happy with her career and her kids but having someone to share it all with might be really nice. And that means putting herself out there in a whole new way. Actually seeking love. That’s brand-new. And Ellen Pompeo is showing colors this season that I’ve just never seen from her before, which is seriously impressive after 15 seasons of playing the same character!”
Radnor most recently starred on NBC’s one-and-done musical theater drama Rise. He is best known for his role as Ted on CBS’ How I Met Your Mother. Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
