It is Thursday again. You’re likely sitting on your couch, scrolling through your DVR or refreshing Hulu, wondering why the doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial haven't appeared on your screen yet. Or maybe you're just planning your week. Honestly, keeping track of network television schedules in 2026 feels like a part-time job.
If you are asking when does the next Grey's Anatomy episode come out, the short answer is Thursday, January 22, 2026.
The show is currently in the thick of Season 22, and after a massive midseason premiere that basically redefined "stressful," we are back into the weekly rhythm. Episode 9, titled "Fortunate Son," is the next one up. It airs at 10:00 p.m. EST on ABC. If you're a streamer, you've got to wait until the next morning to catch it on Hulu.
Why the schedule feels so erratic right now
Network TV is weird. We just came off a long winter hiatus that started back in November 2025. During that break, fans were left reeling after Episode 6, "When I Crash," which left Jo Wilson’s life hanging in the balance. When the show finally returned on January 8 with "Skyfall," it felt like the series had shifted into a higher gear.
But why do people keep searching for the date? Because ABC sometimes slips in "burn-off" weeks or special programming.
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Fortunately, the January schedule looks solid.
- January 22: Season 22, Episode 9 ("Fortunate Son")
- January 29: Season 22, Episode 10 ("Strip That Down")
When does the next Grey's Anatomy episode come out for the rest of the season?
We are looking at an 18-episode season this year. That is a bit shorter than the 24-episode marathons we used to get a decade ago, but it’s becoming the standard for Shondaland. With Episode 9 arriving this week, we are officially at the halfway mark.
Expect a fairly steady run through February. There is almost always a "Valentine's Day" themed episode, and then we might see a small one-week gap in March for a spring break or a special news event.
What is actually happening in the next episode?
The promos for "Fortunate Son" have been tight-lipped, but we know the fallout from the hospital renovations is still a major headache for Bailey. Also, let's talk about Richard Webber. After James Pickens Jr. shared his real-life prostate cancer journey—and confirmed he is thankfully cancer-free—the show has been mirroring that storyline with Dr. Webber. It is a heavy, nuanced arc that most medical dramas wouldn't handle with this much grace.
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The Addison Montgomery Factor
If you are specifically looking for the big return of Kate Walsh, mark your calendars for January 29.
She is confirmed to appear in Episode 10, "Strip That Down." It is a one-episode stint for now, but Addison's returns always shake up the hospital dynamic, especially with Amelia Shepherd back in the mix after her own eight-episode hiatus. Seeing those two on screen together is basically the only reason some of us are still watching after 22 years.
How to watch if you don't have cable
Most of us have cut the cord by now. If you're trying to figure out how to see the next episode without a traditional ABC subscription, you have a few options:
- Hulu: Episodes drop at 3:01 a.m. EST the Friday after they air.
- YouTube TV / FuboTV: These services carry ABC live, so you can watch at 10:00 p.m. with the rest of the world.
- ABC.com: Sometimes you can watch for free a week late, but who has that kind of patience?
The stakes are higher this season because we still don't have a confirmed Season 23 renewal. Usually, Disney and ABC play these things close to the chest until the spring upfronts. If ratings for the second half of Season 22 stay where they are—hovering around 2 million live viewers—the chances are good, but never guaranteed.
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Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) is only appearing in seven episodes this season. She’s the narrator, the backbone, the name on the building, but she isn't there every week. This makes the ensemble even more important. It means when the show is "on," every character has to pull their weight.
To stay ahead of the schedule, you should check your local listings every Monday. ABC is notorious for last-minute "special reports" or scheduling shifts if a new pilot needs a premiere slot. For now, plan your Thursday nights around 10:00 p.m. until the end of February.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your Hulu subscription status or DVR settings today to ensure "Fortunate Son" is set to record or stream on January 22. If you've missed the first two episodes of the 2026 return ("Skyfall" and "Heavy on Me"), watch them before Thursday so you aren't lost when the new medical traumas begin.