Grey’s Anatomy is continuing its reign as the longest-running primetime medical drama on the 2026 TV schedule, as the series is coming back for Season 23. Filming has officially commenced, too, which is incredibly exciting. However, while fans are likely buzzing with anticipation after seeing this image that featured (most) of the gang all back together, the cast photo was also missing a very important person. While a premiere date for Grey's has not been announced for Season 23, ABC previously confirmed that it will indeed return this fall. So it was only a matter of time before the cast and crew stepped back into the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial. The official Grey’s Anatomy Instagram confirmed that things are back up and running for the new season by posting a cast photo that includes just about everyone, minus one very important actor:A post shared by Grey's Anatomy Official (@greysabc)A photo posted by on Ellen Pompeo is not in the cast photo, even though she is more than likely returning as Dr. Meredith Grey. The actress shockingly stepped down as a series regular midway through Season 19, but she has remained on as an executive producer and to provide the voiceover for each episode. She has also returned as Meredith a handful of times, and appeared in more than half of last season. Considering Pompeo is literally the “Grey” of Grey’s Anatomy, I’m definitely surprised she isn’t included in the cast photo, which could also indicate that she’s not appearing in the premiere episode.While Pompeo has been doing other projects since taking a step back from Grey’s, her latest one, Chicks, a dramedy on Hulu, reportedly won’t begin filming until September, per Deadline. So her not being part of the medical drama's cast photo is even more surprising. Of course, this could mean nothing. Perhaps they took it on a day Pompeo wasn’t filming, or whatever Meredith is up to in the Season 23 premiere would be spoiled if she was in the cast photo. As of now, there doesn’t seem to be a set answer as to how many episodes she will be appearing in, but hopefully fans get their first look at her on set soon.Grey’s Anatomy will be down two more characters for Season 23, following Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver's departures. Meanwhile, Meredith’s beau, Dr. Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), proposed in the finale, but with Speedman headlining ABC’s sophomore drama R.J. Decker, that might make things a bit harder for him to return. That could potentially create fewer chances for Meredith to appear as she preps for the wedding. You can’t have Grey’s Anatomy without Meredith Grey, so hopefully Pompeo will be in at least a few episodes for Season 23. Obviously, she’s a busy woman, but it’s just not the same without her. Now, fans will just have to wait and find out about her status on the show when Season 23 premieres this fall on ABC and streams the next day for those with a Hulu subscription.