") no-repeat center center;background-size:10px 16px;content:' '}@media(min-width:768px){.gBkjJh::before{display:none}}@media(min-width:1000px){.iZwHvr .taboola{display:none}}.iZwHvr:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails){min-height:426px}.iZwHvr:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-crime){min-height:405px}@media(min-width:1000px){.iZwHvr:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails),.iZwHvr:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-crime){min-height:0}}.jImJId .tp-container-inner,.jImJId .sc-1suqprf-0{position:relative;box-shadow:0 -22px 16px 22px rgba(255,255,255,0.95)}.jImJId.closed{display:none}.buqclE{width:32px;color:#627aac}@media(min-width:768px){.buqclE.mobile-only{display:none}}.buqclE:hover{color:#9cabcb}.iVjrWB{width:32px;color:#4e4e4e}@media(min-width:768px){.iVjrWB.mobile-only{display:none}}.iVjrWB:hover{color:#919191}.icVQKT{width:32px;color:#25d366}@media(min-width:768px){.icVQKT.mobile-only{display:none}}.icVQKT:hover{color:#66e093}.gfyViz{width:32px;color:#ef4757}@media(min-width:768px){.gfyViz.mobile-only{display:none}}.gfyViz:hover{color:#f58992}.dJrOFo{display:flex;gap:12px}.eZumoJ{position:fixed;top:0;left:0;z-index:2147483644;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);cursor:pointer;opacity:0;transition:opacity 300ms ease-in-out}.eZumoJ.overlay-background--open{width:100vw;height:100vh;opacity:1}.dRVLpc{--trans:300ms ease-in-out;position:fixed;top:0;left:0;z-index:2147483645;width:100vw;height:100vh;opacity:0;pointer-events:none;transform:translateY(-24px);transform-origin:top center;transition:transform var(--trans),opacity var(--trans)}.dRVLpc.overlay--open{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0);transition-delay:150ms}.dRVLpc.overlay--open>:first-child{pointer-events:auto}.cWTSTp .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:none}.cWTSTp:hover .sc-17yxc4y-0,.cWTSTp.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:block}.cWTSTp:hover .sc-17yxc4y-1,.cWTSTp.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:none}.cWTSTp.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:block}.cWTSTp.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:none}.cWTSTp.bookmark-button-saved:hover .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:none}.cWTSTp.bookmark-button-saved:hover .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:block}.eoIBc{--margin-x:12px;--modal-width:calc(100% - (var(--margin-x) * 2));--modal-max-width:351px;--padding:60px 16px 42px;--line-height:1.25;display:flex;position:fixed;top:50%;left:50%;overflow:auto;width:var(--modal-width);max-width:var(--modal-max-width);max-height:100vh;box-sizing:border-box;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:var(--padding);background-color:#eaf2f2;box-shadow:0 1px 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.5);line-height:var(--line-height);transform:translate(-50%,-50%)}@media(min-width:768px){.eoIBc{--modal-width:600px;--modal-max-width:none;--padding:72px 80px 64px;--line-height:1.2}}@media(min-width:1000px){.eoIBc{--modal-width:635px}}.fNhASP{--close-button-margin:16px;position:absolute;top:var(--close-button-margin);right:var(--close-button-margin)}@media(min-width:768px){.fNhASP{--close-button-margin:24px}}.caBZHW{width:100%;max-width:437px;margin-bottom:20px}@media(min-width:768px){.caBZHW{margin-bottom:18px}}.dgWryu{position:absolute;overflow:hidden;width:.01em;height:.01em;padding:0;border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);white-space:nowrap}.eUOcMf{width:100%;margin:0}.dEYNzg{margin:0 0 30px;font:bold 26px/1.15 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif}@media(min-width:768px){.dEYNzg{font:bold 28px/1.15 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif}}.itdeLI{display:block;width:100%;padding:0;margin:0 0 30px;font:normal 16px/1.44 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.itdeLI{font:normal 20px/1.44 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}.funPAy{display:block;margin-top:30px;color:#222;font:normal 16px/normal 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.bXVQbr{padding:0}.gzKeOP{display:inline-block;width:32px;height:32px;color:#70a5a7}.cJKiex{display:flex;flex-direction:row;justify-content:center;gap:12px}.hzDNyM{display:flex;position:relative;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:768px){.hzDNyM{justify-content:flex-end;padding-top:12px;margin:0}}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share svg{width:60%;height:60%;margin:20%;fill:#fff}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share [type='facebook'] svg,.hzDNyM.amp-social-share [title='bookmark'] svg{width:100%;height:100%;margin:0}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share amp-social-share{margin:0 6px;border-radius:50%;background:0;outline:0}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share amp-social-share:first-of-type{margin-left:0}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share amp-social-share:last-of-type{margin-right:0}@media(min-width:768px){.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .share-mobile-only{display:none}}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-bookmark svg{display:block;width:100%;height:100%;margin:0}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-bookmark:hover{opacity:.85}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-facebook{background:#627aac}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-facebook:hover{background:#9cabcb}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-twitter{--color:#4e4e4e;--color-alt:#919191;background:var(--color)}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-twitter:hover{background:var(--color-alt)}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-whatsapp{background:#25d366}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-whatsapp:hover{background:#66e093}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-whatsapp svg{width:70%;height:auto;margin:15%}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-email{background:#ef4757}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-email:hover{background:#f58992}.hzDNyM.amp-social-share .amp-social-share-email svg path{stroke:#fff}.kdvWjb{display:flex}.sticky .kdvWjb{flex-direction:column}.bfkmcy{overflow:hidden;height:23px;margin-bottom:8px;border-bottom:0;clear:both}@media(min-width:768px){.bfkmcy{height:25px}}.fczuIa{display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;margin:0 12px 0 0;font:bold 14px/normal 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.fczuIa::after{content:':'}.IOUwh{display:inline-block;margin-right:12px;margin-bottom:4px;color:#222;font:normal 14px/1.29 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration:underline}.IOUwh::first-letter {text-transform:capitalize}@media(min-width:1000px){.subscribed .bwpCMN{margin-top:-184px}.article-feature:not(.article-feature-video) .subscribed .bwpCMN{margin-top:-407px}}.bwpCMN>p{margin:16px 0}.article-premium .bwpCMN>p{line-height:27px}.bwpCMN>h2{font-size:21px}.article-climate .bwpCMN>h2{color:#ec1a2e}.article-sgi .bwpCMN>h2{color:#ec1a2e}.bwpCMN>p:first-child{margin-top:0}.bwpCMN span:first-child~p:first-of-type{margin-top:0}.hQjaQn{display:flex;position:relative;max-width:100%;min-height:600px;justify-content:center;margin:0 auto;background-color:transparent;clear:both}@media(min-width:1000px){.hQjaQn{min-height:450px}}.teads .hQjaQn{display:block}.hQjaQn [data-mpu]{position:sticky;top:16px}@media(min-width:1000px){.jZcooN{display:none}}.jZcooN[data-mpu1]{min-height:600px}.jZcooN.pb-20{padding-bottom:20px}.hlPMMm{margin:0 0 24px;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.euTVax{font:bold 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.jBfdop{overflow:hidden;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:16px}@media(min-width:768px){.jBfdop{max-width:634px}}@media(min-width:1250px){.jBfdop{max-width:622px}}.hKRbzg{width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;padding:8px 12px 12px;border-top:8px solid #ec1a2e;background-color:#fde8ea}@media(min-width:768px){.hKRbzg{padding-top:4px;padding-bottom:12px}}.cKIkhp{font:bold 22px/26px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;margin:0 0 12px;text-align:center}@media(min-width:768px){.cKIkhp{font:bold 30px/34px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.048px;margin-bottom:12px;text-align:left}}.feSJtK{display:block;margin-bottom:12px}@media(min-width:768px){.feSJtK{display:none}}.bErStG{display:flex;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px;background-color:#fde8ea;color:#ec1a2e}@media(min-width:768px){.bErStG{width:auto;justify-content:flex-start}}.vaVnf{display:block;font:bold 14px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration-line:underline;margin-block:0;text-align:center}.jWuFRk{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px}.jWuFRk:hover .sc-hez36s-5,.jWuFRk:hover .sc-a5wy94-0{color:#ac2a2c}.hKrnEq{font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.dWUzhG{display:flex;width:100%;flex-direction:column}@media(min-width:768px){.dWUzhG{display:flow-root;gap:24px;transition:margin-bottom .3s ease-in-out}}.bDgIJb{display:flex;width:100%;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:768px){.bDgIJb{position:relative;z-index:1;width:212px;flex-shrink:0;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:24px;float:right}}.EYumw{display:none;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;margin-top:8px}@media(min-width:768px){.EYumw{display:flex;margin-top:12px}}.kCOwPr{display:flex;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;margin-top:8px;margin-bottom:12px}@media(min-width:768px){.kCOwPr{display:none}}.iGXncB{display:flex;overflow:hidden;height:0;flex-direction:column;gap:8px;opacity:0;transition:all .3s ease-in-out}@media(min-width:768px){.iGXncB{display:flex;position:relative;width:auto;height:40px;order:-1;opacity:1;transition-behavior:allow-discrete}.iGXncB::after{--fade-from:rgba(253,232,234,0);--fade-to:#fde8ea;position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:1;width:100%;height:40px;background-image:linear-gradient(to bottom,var(--fade-from),var(--fade-to));content:'';opacity:1;transition:opacity 150ms ease-out}}@media(min-width:768px){.doTReP{order:-1}}.ggPDxB{display:none;padding-top:8px;margin-top:16px;border-top:1px solid #919191}@media(max-width:767px){.ggPDxB{display:flex}}.gibhIT{display:none}@media(min-width:768px){.gibhIT{display:flex;position:relative;align-items:flex-start;margin-top:12px}}.dxwzhm{display:flex;min-height:600px;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:1000px){.dxwzhm{min-height:450px}}.gHNATZ{min-height:600px}@media(min-width:1000px){.gHNATZ{min-height:450px}}.gHNATZ.mobile-only{display:block}@media(min-width:1000px){.gHNATZ.mobile-only{display:none}}.gHNATZ.desktop-only{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.gHNATZ.desktop-only{display:block;margin-bottom:16px}}.gHNATZ.desktop-only+p{margin-top:0}.gHNATZ .third-party-ad{position:sticky;top:16px}.bJycyU{width:100%;flex-grow:1}.bJycyU .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide]{display:block;overflow:hidden;max-height:360px}.bJycyU .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide] .social-share{display:none}.bJycyU .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide].show-all-content{max-height:100%}@media(max-width:594px){.bJycyU .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide]{max-height:530px}}.bJycyU .amp-newsletter-reg-gate{position:relative;left:-12px;width:calc(100% + 24px)}.bJycyU .social-share{width:100%;padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:20px}@media(min-width:768px){.bJycyU .social-share{justify-content:flex-start}}.bJycyU .social-share.sticky{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.bJycyU .social-share.sticky{display:flex;position:sticky;top:14px;width:34px;flex-direction:column;padding-top:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:-25%}.bJycyU .social-share.sticky amp-social-share,.bJycyU .social-share.sticky .sc-mgcah7-0{margin:0 0 16px}.article-feature-video .bJycyU .social-share.sticky{margin-top:0}.article-feature:not(.article-feature-video) .bJycyU .social-share.sticky{margin-top:35%}}.bJycyU.sponsored-article img,.bJycyU.sponsored-article video{width:100%;max-width:602px;height:auto}.bJycyU.sponsored-article iframe{max-width:602px;max-height:400px}.bJycyU .under-article-prompt-donations{padding-bottom:8px;margin-top:-3px}.bJycyU .big-letter{--color:#222;display:flex;position:relative;width:0;height:0;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:40px;margin-top:22px;margin-right:12px;border:1px solid var(--color);float:left;font:normal 52px/1 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;text-transform:uppercase}.bJycyU .big-letter:first-child{margin-top:6px}.bJycyU .big-letter::before{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid var(--color);border-radius:50%;content:''}.bJycyU #taboola-below-article-1{min-height:2350px}@media(min-width:768px){.bJycyU #taboola-below-article-1{min-height:3370px}}.bJycyU #taboola-below-article-1-split-num-1{min-height:130px}@media(min-width:768px){.bJycyU #taboola-below-article-1-split-num-1{min-height:415px}}.bJycyU .sc-fwko30-0+.sc-1xtsh2b-0{margin-top:-16px}@media(min-width:768px){.bJycyU{max-width:636px;margin:0}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bJycyU{max-width:624px;margin:0}.bJycyU.subscribed{max-width:636px}}@media(max-width:999px){.bJycyU{padding-right:0}.bJycyU .under-article-prompt-donations{margin-top:-18px}}.bJycyU .anchor-nav-header{scroll-margin-top:79px}.bJycyU .anchor-nav-header a{color:#222}.bJycyU .anchor-nav-header a:hover{color:#222}.kvSKnI{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;margin-bottom:8px;color:#646464;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.kvSKnI{width:70%;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start;margin-bottom:0;font:normal 16px/24px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}@media(min-width:1000px){.kvSKnI{width:70%;margin-bottom:0}}.eXEVFg{display:flex;height:20px;margin:0 12px 8px 0}.article-voices .eXEVFg{height:auto}@media(min-width:425px){.article-voices .eXEVFg{height:20px}}.eXEVFg::before{display:inline-block;align-self:center;margin-top:1px;margin-right:12px;content:'\2022';transform:scale(1.5)}.eXEVFg:first-child::before{content:none}@media(min-width:768px){.eXEVFg{height:24px;margin-bottom:0}.eXEVFg::before{margin-top:2px}}.eXEVFg time{display:block}.eXEVFg time::first-letter {text-transform:capitalize}.eUdsoy{color:#fff}.jGlqRq{display:inline-block;margin:0 12px 8px 0;color:#ef4757;font:bold 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.5px}.jGlqRq:hover,.jGlqRq:active{color:#f58992}@media(min-width:768px){.jGlqRq{margin-bottom:0}}.enHDwq{margin:0 4px 8px 0}.enHDwq::before{display:inline-block;margin-top:2px;margin-right:12px;color:#646464;content:'\2022';transform:scale(1.5)}.enHDwq:first-child::before{display:none}@media(min-width:768px){.enHDwq{margin-bottom:0}}.jmYqVV::before{color:#fff}.hfnwMY{display:flex;justify-content:flex-start;padding:0;margin:0 0 16px}@media(min-width:768px){.hfnwMY{display:flex;width:30%;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end;margin:0}}@media(min-width:1000px){.hfnwMY{width:30%}}.hrDjjf{padding-top:0;border-top:0;border-bottom:0}@media(min-width:768px){.hrDjjf{display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;padding-bottom:16px}.hrDjjf .sc-1qz44j0-0{order:1}.hrDjjf .sc-1qz44j0-10{order:2}}@media(min-width:1000px){.hrDjjf{flex-direction:row}}.dnLbAr{padding:16px 12px 12px;text-align:left;font:bold 14px/18px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.dnLbAr{padding:16px 16px 12px}}.article-infact .dnLbAr{padding:16px 0}@media(min-width:1000px){.dnLbAr{padding:24px 0 19px}.article-feature .dnLbAr{max-width:968px;margin:0 auto}}.dnLbAr a{color:#fff}.dnLbAr a:hover{color:#f58992}.dnLbAr a:hover::after{color:#fff}.dnLbAr a::after{margin-right:4px;margin-left:4px;content:'>'}.dnLbAr a:last-child::after{display:none}.azcVx{margin:0 0 20px;letter-spacing:0}.VFZbw{margin:0;color:#646464;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.VFZbw{font:normal 18px/22px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}@media(min-width:1000px){.VFZbw{font:normal 20px/24px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}.VFZbw p{font:inherit}.article-feature .VFZbw a{font-weight:bold}.hsJCLD{max-width:968px;margin:0 auto;background:#222}@media(min-width:1000px){.hsJCLD{padding:0 16px}.parallax .hsJCLD{max-width:1240px}}.bJjAgi{font:bold 32px/36px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0156em}@media(min-width:768px){.bJjAgi{font:bold 44px/48px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0113em}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bJjAgi{font:bold 54px/58px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0092em}}.hZFQIi{background:#222}.hZFQIi .sc-qvufca-1{max-width:968px;background:#222}.hZFQIi .sc-qvufca-0{margin:0}@media(max-width:999px){.hZFQIi .sc-qvufca-0{margin:0 12px 0}}.hZFQIi .sc-22qwnu-0,.hZFQIi .sc-22qwnu-0 a{color:#fff}.hZFQIi .sc-qvufca-2,.hZFQIi .sc-aeekvc-0{color:#fff}.hZFQIi .sc-qvufca-2{margin:0 0 20px}.hZFQIi .sc-aeekvc-0{margin-bottom:16px}.gMEOzX{position:absolute;top:0;left:0}.kHLDmJ{max-width:100%}.hXZgkU{position:relative;aspect-ratio:16/9}.hXZgkU>div,.hXZgkU>img{position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;height:100%}.iGIgRn.fullscreen{position:fixed;top:0;left:0;z-index:3000000000;width:100%;height:100%;background:#000}.iGIgRn .btn{position:absolute;top:5px;right:5px;width:25px;height:25px;color:#fff;font-family:helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:20px;line-height:25px;text-align:center}@media(min-width:1000px){.fOZYEG{position:relative}}.fOZYEG .jw-flag-floating.jw-floating-dismissible .jw-wrapper{bottom:2rem}.fOZYEG .jw-flag-floating .jw-wrapper{right:0}.fOZYEG .jw-flag-floating .jw-wrapper.jw-float-to-top{top:0;bottom:auto}.JCJLP{max-width:100%;clear:both}.dyGKzS{--bleed:12px;display:flex;box-sizing:border-box;flex-direction:row;gap:32px;padding:16px var(--bleed);background-color:#fff}.article-liveblog .dyGKzS{background-color:#f7f7f7}@media(min-width:768px){.dyGKzS{--bleed:0;max-width:1000px;margin:0 auto}}@media(min-width:1000px){.dyGKzS{--bleed:16px;max-width:1000px;padding:var(--bleed)}}.gIldS{overflow:hidden;height:0;color:transparent}.kFPmfF{max-width:100%;margin:0 0 20px}.kFPmfF.sticky{position:sticky;top:16px}.iaRZct{min-height:600px}.iaRZct #mpu1{position:sticky;top:16px}.bFiDnI{min-height:250px}.jAzEot{max-width:100%}.eDScvc{margin:0 0 6px;color:#646464;font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;font-size:15px}.CmSgF{margin:0 0 12px}.lbFVDq{height:380px}.bsSHYO{width:100%;height:51px}.bjKtIv{margin-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #919191}.jLzsCV{margin-bottom:16px}.jLzsCV [role='listitem']{position:relative;margin-bottom:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3}.jLzsCV [role='listitem'] .sc-u4n1j-0{display:flex;position:absolute;bottom:16px;left:10px;width:32px;height:32px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;border-radius:50%;background-color:#ec1a2e}.jLzsCV [role='listitem'] .sc-u4n1j-0>svg{width:90%;fill:#fff;stroke:transparent}.jLzsCV [role='listitem']:first-child{display:block;padding-bottom:0;margin-bottom:12px}.jLzsCV [role='listitem']:first-child .sc-u4n1j-0{top:-15px;bottom:auto;left:12px;width:35px;height:35px}.jLzsCV [role='listitem']:first-child>*:first-child{display:block;width:100%;height:205px}.jLzsCV [role='listitem']:first-child>*:last-child{position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;padding:28px 12px 12px;background:linear-gradient(to top,#222 50%,rgba(34,34,34,0.9) 100%) no-repeat;color:#fff;font-size:17px;font-weight:bold}.jLzsCV [role='listitem']:last-child{margin-bottom:0;border-bottom:0 none}.kNZMQb{min-height:1924px}@media(max-width:767px){.kNZMQb{display:none}}.iFeFcz{width:308px}.iFeFcz.hidden{display:none}@media(max-width:999px){.iFeFcz{display:none}}.article-liveblog .fbWdwj{background-color:#f7f7f7}.eFgmkR{justify-content:center}.cvujVr{justify-content:center}
Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Not now Yes please
Culture TV & Radio News Grey’s Anatomy season 17: [Spoiler] reveals how they pulled off ‘jaw-dropping’ episode 1 twist Ellen Pompeo had to keep the secret from all of her co-stars
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Subscribe Already subscribed? Log in Spoiler trailer for Grey's Anatomy season 17 episode 3
Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference. Close Read more Grey's Anatomy fans have Covid to thank for the big twist that rocked the season 17 premiere .
Long-time viewers of the show have been left stunned by the final scene of the new episode, which was an attempt to bring “joy and escape” to people amid lockdown.
*Spoilers follow – you have been warned*
Showrunner Krista Vernoff did this by bringing back Patrick Dempsey 's Derek Shephard, the beloved character who was killed off in 2015.
He returned in a beach-set dream sequence after Meredith (Ellen Pompeo ) collapsed outside the hospital she works in.
The episode was dedicated to frontline workers who have been helping with Covid throughout the year, which was a key factor behind Dempsey’s decision to return.
“I really love the message of what the dynamic is in this story,” he told Deadline .
“With everything that we’re dealing with right now, and certainly we have been distracted with the election, but we’re going to get back into the reality of Covid and being in a pandemic, and all the lives that have been lost. Where are these souls going? And I think that’s what attracted me to this storyline.”
Vernoff said the idea of “a Meredith dream motif” first came after thinking of ways alleviate the pressures people were facing this year.
After she suggested they bring back some “dead characters”, Pompeo said: “Let’s get Patrick.”
Vernoff added: “Even in my most excitable dream life, that thought hadn’t occurred to me as an option, and there it was.”
Pompeo said she asked Dempsey to return while hiking together in Malibu and he “loved the idea”.
To keep it secret, Vernoff ensured the moment was kept out of scripts meaning the majority of the ABC drama’s actors and writing staff had no idea it was happening until it was broadcast.
“It was really enjoyable,” Dempsey said of returning to the show. “It was really exciting, and fun, and it was great to see everybody.”
Pompeo described it as “healing” to “know that we’re doing something good, putting out a positive story” that’s “going to make people smile”.
Since the surprise was revealed, internet sleuths think they’ve worked out which other characters will return to the show in next week’s episode.
Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments