Already have an account?
Get back to the

First Star of the New ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Spin-Off Has Been Announced (and, Frankly, We’re Beyond Excited)

This is so exciting! Just a few months after ABC announced a Grey’s Anatomy spin-off show was in the works, the first casting details about the new series have been revealed.

MORE: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 14 Will Welcome Back a Fan-Favorite Character (We Can’t Wait!)

The Hollywood Reporter has announced actress Jaina Lee Ortiz has signed on to play the lead female role on the upcoming show, which will center around a group of Seattle firefighters. Jaina, 30, is most known for her starring role as Detective Annalise Villa on the recently canceled Fox police drama, Rosewood. She now has a recurring role as Angela Tio on Season 2 of the USA show Shooter.

jaina lee ortiz getty images

Jaina on Rosewood. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

On Wednesday, July 26, Jaina took to Instagram to confirm the exciting news. “Humbled, Honored, Grateful. ?? Cannot wait to tell this story and make these fierce women proud. #Shondaland #ShondaIsMyIcon #SheIsAlsoTheBeyonceOfTV,” the actress wrote. One of the yet-to-be-titled show’s executive producers, Paris Barclay, similarly took to Twitter to comment on Jaina’s addition to the upcoming series. “She’s our star!” Paris wrote alongside a link to The Hollywood Reporter article confirming the exciting news. Jaina is the first star to be officially added to the drama’s cast thus far.

MORE: Megan Is One of the Most Mysterious Characters on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ — Here’s Everything We Know About Her!

According to the Daily Mail, the spin-off’s firefighter characters will be introduced to the Grey’s Anatomy audience during the long-running show’s 14th season, which is set to premiere in September. The new Seattle-based series will then premiere midseason. No further details on Shonda Rhimes‘ latest show have been revealed at this time.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first Grey’s Anatomy spin-off. Kate Walsh starred as Addison Montgomery — the estranged wife of Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) — on the medical drama before she got her own show, Private Practice, back in 2007. The series later ended after six seasons in early 2013.

Check out the gallery to see the Grey’s Anatomy cast then and now!