'Grey's Anatomy' Season 13 air date, news & update: Arizona to get a new love interest in Season 13?

By Shane Olga Ocampo / Sep 02, 2016 11:08 AM EDT
(Photo : Getty Images/ABC) ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' stars Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins.

"Grey's Anatomy" will introduce a new romantic interest for Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) in Season 13.

In a report from Entertainment Weekly, creator and showrunner Shonda Rhimes revealed the new romantic storyline abound for Arizona on "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13. The news comes after the exit of actress Sara Ramirez, who decided to leave the medical drama for personal reasons. Ramirez' character, Callie had become romantically involved with Arizona - but the couple's marriage eventually lead to divorce.

"We're absolutely going to see it," Rhimes told the publication.

"I'm very excited to introduce a love interest for her, and to get to tell a story with her that lets her be who she is, and to see who she is post the relationships that she's had."

In addition, the uber-producer also revealed that Arizona will be skipping the first two episodes of "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13. Rhimes explained that the character's brief absence is due to Capshaw's decision to take a time-off to be with her kids. As for the identity of Arizona's potential new girlfriend, Rhimes stayed mum about the details of the character.

"You don't want to just stick two people together," Rhimes continued.

"I want to do it organically and I want the audience to be rooting for it. So I think we're going to have fun with it."

Other highlights abound on "Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 include a brewing love triangle involving Meredith (Ellen Pompeo), Nathan (Martin Henderson) and Maggie (Kelly McCreary) and the storylines which will heavily focus on its original cast members: Meredith, Alex (Justin Chambers), Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Richard (James Pickens Jr.).

"We're gonna be spending some more time with them to check in with where they are," McCreary told TV Guide last month.

"The way that we spent time with Meredith last season, exploring the major shift in her life, the loss of Derek, I think we can expect to see those doctors being explored where they are in this moment, all these years later, the changes that they've gone through."

"Grey's Anatomy" Season 13 premieres on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 8PM on ABC.