Who Will Be the Next Series Regular to Leave 'Grey's Anatomy'?

Grey's Anatomy has already been renewed for Season 21, so it will extend its streak as primetime TV's longest-running medical drama. Fans can rejoice that they will get new episodes of Grey's Anatomy in the fall, but it is not yet confirmed that every member of the Season 20 cast will return.

According to Deadline, there are six series regulars and longtime cast members renegotiating their contracts for the upcoming season. If they cannot make an agreement with ABC Studios for Season 21, then we could see one of our beloved doctors depart Grey Sloan, either for a new position, like Maggie (Kelly McCreary), or more permanently, like DeLuca (Giacomo Gianiotti).

Ahead, Parade evaluates each of the actors' likelihood of leaving the show based on their current storylines. Here's who we think has the greatest chance of leaving and who is probably sticking around.

Related: How Every Major 'Grey's Anatomy' Character Got Written Off the Show

Who will leave Grey's Anatomy next?

Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.)

James Pickens Jr. is one of two actors who have been on Grey's Anatomy since the pilot episode. Richard Webber is an institution at the hospital, but his Season 20 storyline has us wondering what is left for Richard to do at Grey Sloan that he hasn't already accomplished. He's going back to Step 1 in his sobriety, which is something we've seen him tackle before.

That step back, though, has taken him out of a teaching role at the hospital and isolated him from many of the staff. Is it finally time for Richard to retire? What new adventure could reinvigorate his storyline and give the character a new purpose within the series? If the show does not give Richard something meatier to hook into, it seems too easy to see the veteran doctor finally take a break.

Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone)

Amelia has been on a rollercoaster journey since she showed up at Grey Sloan. She's currently the only neurosurgeon on staff, though, and she is Lucas' (Niko Terho) only relative on the series, which are both points for Amelia sticking around. There also seem to be some sparks between her and the new peds attending (Natalie Morales) that are worth exploring.

She is also currently doing secret research for Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) to help cure Alzheimer's Disease. The show could continue to use Amelia to keep a focus on Meredith's research, and as a tether to bring Meredith back to the hospital. If Caterina Scorsone doesn't renew her contract, however, she could easily make a breakthrough in the research and head to Boston to help Meredith full-time. And if you're thinking she can't move 3,000 miles away from her son, long-distance parenting has been done on the show before.

Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson)

It is hard to imagine Grey's Anatomy without Chandra Wilson, especially with Bailey recently taking over the resident program. Her role as head teacher at Grey Sloan makes her integral to the storyline of every intern, making it difficult to see how she could be extricated on the show.

If Bailey were to leave Grey Sloan, her exit may be tied into whatever happens to Ben (Jason George) in the Station 19 series finale. We are unsure whether Ben will continue being a firefighter or what his next job will be, and Bailey's fate is obviously tied to that of her husband. We feel pretty safe that Bailey would not desert her post, but the Ben factor gives us our only shade of doubt.

Related: ‘Station 19’ to End With Season 7: Everything to Know About the Show's Final Run

Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd)

Owen (Kevin McKidd) is head of trauma and it seems like he and Teddy (Kim Raver) have finally gotten their marriage back on track. Without the threat of divorce hanging over them like it was during the entirety of Season 19, Owen's job at the hospital also seems relatively safe.

However, Owen has been expressing some restlessness on the job in recent episodes. Could he be looking for more exhilarating opportunities outside of Seattle? He is an adrenaline junky and has achieved his domestic goals. It seems implausible that Owen would leave after Teddy just had a heart attack in the OR, but what if they both decide to embark on a new chapter?

Teddy Altman (Kim Raver)

Teddy is just settling into being Chief of Surgery at Grey Sloan and she is recovering from a heart attack. That's a really meaty storyline for Season 20 and opens up a lot of avenues for her as a character. Is she going to fall in love with operating again? What kind of chief is she going to be after a near-death experience? These are all unanswered questions that could keep Teddy in the fold for the next few seasons.

She is at the top of the surgical food chain, though, and there's no place for her to grow professionally now that she's running the surgical program. If maintaining such a high-risk job threatens her heart health, Teddy could take a look at doing something new with Owen. After fighting so hard to salvage their marriage, we think that they will remain a package deal. If Owen leaves, so will Teddy, and vice-versa. If one of them stays, so will the other.

Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington)

Jo (Camilla Luddington) is perhaps the character we feel most secure about sticking around. She is the OBGYN representative and Grey's remains committed to telling stories about women's health. She and Link (Chris Carmack) have just begun their serious relationship and we have yet to explore whether they'll get married or what their major obstacles to domestic bliss will be.

There are also a lot of storylines to explore with Jo and Link's children. Luna has hearing difficulties that they will have to navigate. Jo and Link are also essential mentors for the intern class, having risen to be senior surgeons at the hospital. It seems difficult to imagine how Jo could leave after just settling in with Link. If Luddington does say goodbye to the show, however, we fear that Jo's exit would be extremely tragic.

Who do you think will be the doctor to leave Grey's Anatomy?

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

Next, Everything to Know About 'Grey's Anatomy' Season 21