As Grey's Anatomy season 19 prepares to launch, fans are formulating several theories about what may happen in the coming episodes, especially in light of the news that Ellen Pompeo will have a reduced role in the show. The Greys audience isnt sure whether they should be preparing to say goodbye to Meredith Grey or simply see you later.

Well, after hearing the online chatter, doing some research and using our own knowledge of the series, weve developed our own thoughts about what we imagine will happen in Greys Anatomy season 19. If you had a chance to read our season 18 finale predictions, youll know that were pretty good at reading producers.

Here are our predictions.

Despite Ellen Pompeo only signing up for eight episodes this season due to her commitment to film an upcoming Hulu series, we dont believe season 19 is not going to be Merediths farewell. For starters, Deadline (opens in new tab) recently reported that Pompeo confirmed that viewers will still feel her presence throughout the season as shell continue doing the voiceovers in the episodes.

Furthermore, Pompeo mentioned that shell be back to star in the season 19 finale, and stated "well see if we can keep it going" when speaking about her future on the show. Hear for yourself.

With all of that said, were making the bold prediction that to address Pompeos temporary absence on Greys that Meredith is going to leave to do some soul searching. In the season 18 finale, Richard (James Pickens Jr.) negatively compared Meredith to her mother and accused her of wanting to tear down the hospital after she unnecessarily took a risk that killed a patient.

Although shes been appointed interim chief of surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial, we think Richards words will weigh heavy on her, and with one bad surgery and a fatal outcome, everyones favorite doctor will go out in search of a new perspective in life. (Meredith taking a leave of absence wouldnt be new in the Greys world, as viewers should recall when Derek quit the hospital in season 5)

By the end of season 18, Grey Sloan was a bit short-staffed. With Teddy (Kim Raver) and Owen (Kevin McKidd) on the run from the authorities, Miranda (Chandra Wilson) quitting and Richard taking a leave of absence, the hospital could use a few attendings.

Enter Addison Montgomery. It was announced this summer (opens in new tab)that portrayer Kate Walsh will be back in season 19 on a recurring status.

Since leaving Greys Anatomy as a series regular, Addison has popped up several times whenever Grey Sloan has needed help. While she usually comes to the aid of the hospital at the request of Richard, it was clear last season that she and Meredith are not at odds despite being in that sordid love triangle with Derek (Patrick Dempsey) years ago. We foresee Addison returning to help her former foe in her time of crisis, just until the hospital reestablishes a solid foundation.

Having taken some time away from Grey Sloan, we think Miranda is ready to resume her duties as chief of surgery, and on her terms. Hospital personnel should beware. Gone are the days when attendings illegally medicated people off the books, when interns made knee-jerk decisions when treating patients and residents walked around the halls of the hospital as if they knew best. The new and improved Miranda will run a tighter ship with the mindset that her family is her family, and her employees are her employees.

During her former tenure, the line between family and coworkers often blurred and that wound up not serving Miranda well in the long run. We think with a new mindset, shell continue to help the program rank back among one of the best in the country. What we cant predict here is if her new approach will have some bad consequences for her relationship with her mentor Richard going forward.

Given Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver are returning to Greys for season 19, the question that immediately comes to mind is how? How will writers address the fact that Owen and Teddy are on the run for the crimes he committed last season?

Since were guessing, wed venture to say that viewers will see a few episodes in which the couple is in a hiding out in a home compliments of one of their old military buddies. Eventually though, theyll realize that life on the run is not good for their kids, and Owen will agree to turn himself into the police.

Next, we believe Owen will find himself in the midst of a criminal court case as he attempts to clear his name. Longtime fans will remember that when Meredith was on trial for insurance fraud, she managed to beat the charges against her and return to medicine. We dont think Owen will meet the same fate.

While we dont think hell be serving a long stint in prison, we do imagine his medical license will be temporarily suspended.

Given the number of new hires to the Greys Anatomy cast (Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho, Midori Francis, Adelaide Kane and Harry Shum Jr.) and the fact they were all hired as interns, its clear show execs are trying to recapture some of that season 1 magic when those in the light blue scrubs were at the forefront. Although producers obviously know viewers tune into the drama to catch up with the series vets, WTW believes theyll hope to pull some of the audiences attention to the new crop of would-be surgeons.

The new season of Greys Anatomy airs on Thursday, October 6, at 9 pm ET/PT on ABC. The episode becomes available to stream the next day over on Hulu.

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Grey's Anatomy season 19 predictions: our 5 biggest theories | What to Watch - What To Watch