‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 12 Spoilers: Cast Shares Behind-The-Scenes Set Photo After Missing People’s Choice Awards

The cast of “Grey’s Anatomy” has a lot of explaining to do! On Wednesday night, fans of the hit ABC series noticed several of their favorite characters from Shonda Rhimes’ medical drama were missing from the 2016 People’s Choice Awards. But according to Giacomo Gianniotti, Grey Sloan’s hot new doc, those absent from the annual event had a pretty good reason for why they ditched the ceremony.

“Sorry we couldn’t make it to the #PCA’s guys, but we have some friends repping there for us,” the actor, who portrays Maggie’s (Kelly McCreary) forbidden love interest Andrew, wrote in an Instagram caption. The ABC hunk continued by saying that he wished he could be at the event, which had nominated “Grey’s Anatomy” for a People’s Choice Award, but that he was busy filming an upcoming episode.

Gianniotti then shared an image with fans of the show's crew members, who were left behind, hard at work on the Season 12 set of “Grey’s Anatomy.” In the photo, viewers can see Gianniotti, Jessica Capshaw (who plays Arizona) and Jason George (who portrays Ben) sporting their scrubs alongside an actress taking on the role of a patient on the show. Kevin McKidd (who plays Owen) also appeared in the photo. However, the actor was not dressed in character, leaving us to believe he was directing the forthcoming episode.

Capshaw also posted that very same image to her Instagram account, stating that while they couldn’t be at the awards show in person, they were “definitely there in spirit.”

The cast and crew of “Grey’s Anatomy” won big during the People's Choice Awards, taking home the trophy for Favorite Network TV Drama. The show beat out Rhimes’ other ABC series “How to Get Away With Murder” and “Scandal." Ellen Pompeo, who plays the show’s lead character Meredith, also earned the title of Favorite Dramatic TV Actress.

“Grey’s Anatomy” will return for its Season 12 winter premiere on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.