Like Ellis Grey (Kate Burton) once said, the carousel never stops turning. And, apparently, neither does the drama. According to reports, when “Grey’s Anatomy” returns for its twelfth season this fall, fans will be introduced to a whole new set of troubles injected into the plot of the ABC medical drama – specifically for the scrub-sporting character Meredith (Ellen Pompeo).

In Season 11, the doctor lost her one true love, Derek (Patrick Dempsey), after the McDreamy was killed off from the series in a horrific car accident. Now, in Season 12, Meredith will be forced to continue onward without the handsome, blue-eyed doc by her side. But according to showrunner Shonda Rhimes, Meredith’s solo-journey will have more bumps than she had expected.

During the 2015 TCA Sumer Press Tour, Rhimes revealed that the upcoming season, which will reportedly have a “much lighter tone” compared to the previous, dark installment, will follow the widow as she begins a new chapter in her chaotic life.

“Meredith is single and she is living this life that she’s never thought she’d be living again. She’s living in a house with her sisters. She’s surrounded by women who are dating and having a whole life and she’s not interested in all that,” the EP shared. “[Meredith is] starting to wonder is there a second life here or are your best years behind you? I guess the theme [of Season 12] is rebirth. That evolution for that character is beautiful.”

So does that mean Meredith won’t be cozying up to the newest hunk added to the cast of “Grey’s Anatomy”? In June, TVLine reported that “Secrets & Lies” star Martin Henderson would be joining the show as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital’s hot, new doctor. But just because there’s a fresh, new (pretty) face on the series doesn’t mean Mer will put her self exploration on hold to lock lips with the stunning surgeon.

When asked at the TCA panel whether or not Henderson would play a potential love interest for Meredith, the showrunner stated that she’s not quite sure “what I’m doing with [him].”

“Grey’s Anatomy” Season 12 will premiere on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.

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