‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 16 release date: Is the next season going to employ a time jump?

As expected, “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 has been announced to return this September. Specifically, on Sept. 26. The long-running medical drama is set to address multiple cliff hangers set up by the recent finale.

From Jackson (Jesse Williams) stepping into the fog and not coming out to DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) getting incarcerated, “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 will be one emotional rollercoaster for sure. First up is Jackson’s fate.

Speaking with THR, showrunner Krista Vernoff said that they still aren’t sure what to do with Jackson and what result his heroic act will bring. For starters, the character isn’t going to die on account that Williams will be returning in “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 as a series regular.

Showrunner wants to explore consequences of Mer’s action in Grey’s Anatomy Season 16

Thus, it can be speculated that he’ll find something in the pile-up that would shake the lives of other characters. Or his own life for that matter. Meanwhile, “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 will be working on DeLuca’s insurance fraud case after the surgeon covered for Mer (Ellen Pompeo).

With both plotlines ending on a vague note, speculations have been flying that “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 might employ a time jump somewhere in its storyline. Vernoff said that they’re still unsure about that front and has yet to make a decision how to move forward.

“It's unlikely that there will be much of a time jump because I really want to play through the consequences of what Meredith did. But I honestly might be lying to you because I honestly just don't know yet,” Vernoff said. What’s certain about “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 is it’s going to feature one heartbreaking story after another.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 16 to be one heartbreaking entry

Among the characters that will go through an emotional turmoil is Tom (Greg Germann). With Teddy (Kim Raver) admitting that she still has strong feelings for Owen (Kevin McKidd), her delivering Owen’s child, and Teddy failing to inform Tom that she’s in labor, the neurosurgeon is set to have his heart torn into pieces next installment. The fans, of course, aren’t thrilled about Teddy’s decision on account that Owen has time and again showed she isn’t his first priority. Teddy and Owen’s on-again-off-again relationship has also become old at this point and “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 would do well to conclude it finally.

Another tear-jerker plot revolves around the healing of Jo (Camilla Luddington). Having found out that she’s a product of rape – along with her getting an abortion due to an abusive ex-lover – Jo’s journey in “Grey’s Anatomy” Season 16 will be a story of darkness and perseverance.