‘Grey’s Anatomy’ creator and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes, spoke to TVLine about what season 12 has in store for the characters of Alex and Jo. Check out what she had to say.

Grey’s Boss Shonda Rhimes Promises a ‘Real Focus’ on Alex/Jo in Season 12

Forget that new loft. Grey’s Anatomy is giving Alex and Jo something even more valuable in Season 12: a frontburner storyline.

“We had a lot of stories we wanted to tell with them last season, and I promised the fans, ‘We’re going to tell all these Alex and Jo stories… ,’” series creator Shonda Rhimes tells TVLine. “And then we had to take a left turn because Patrick [Dempsey] was leaving. And now we want to tell a lot of those stories — except in a lighter way. So there’s a real focus on them this season.”
As Rhimes acknowledges, viewers haven’t really “gotten to know” them as a couple — or, for that matter, as individuals. “I feel like we didn’t get to know Jo the way we should,” says the EP. “And Alex is sort of a grown man now; it’s time to watch that happen.”

The “lighter” part of Rhimes’ declaration should put Camilla Luddington’s fears of to rest. At Comic-Con last month, Jo’s portrayer confessed she was worried for the couple. “I’m nervous for Season 12,” she said. “Jo and Alex had three seasons of being pretty good, which is unusual on Grey’s… I just don’t trust things are going to continue to go well. Because it’s Grey’s Anatomy.”
Grey’s returns Thursday, Sept. 24 at 8/7c on ABC.