The Grey’s Anatomy Texas spinoff has officially lassoed its first cast member.
Shondaland alum Karla Souza will play the show’s lead, Carolina “Lina” Hall, Us can confirm.
Lina is a “haunted and cynical doctor who runs a medical center in a small town in West Texas,” according to ABC.
Souza’s role on the upcoming show will mark her return to Shondaland after previously starring on Shonda Rhimes’ How to Get Away With Murder as Laurel Castillo alongside Viola Davis as Annalise Keating. She starred on the hit series from 2014 to 2020.
The actress went on to play Marina on ABC’s Home Economics from 2021 to 2023 before starring on Amazon’s 56 Days opposite Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia in February.
Souza’s casting is one the first big pieces of news about the untitled Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, created by Rhimes, 56, and current showrunner Meg Marinis.
It was previously reported that the new series will be executive produced by Rhimes, Marinis, Betsy Beers and OG Grey’s star Ellen Pompeo.
In a first for Rhimes’ Grey’s spinoffs, this show will be filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. All of the other projects connected to the Seattle-based medical drama — including Private Practice and Station 19 — were produced in Hollywood.
Karla Souza. Toya Sarno Jordan/Getty Images
According to Deadline, the spinoff was unable to secure a California tax credit, which resulted in the move to New Mexico. The new show is currently in pre-production with production expected to begin in early 2027 ahead of a 2027-2028 season premiere, per the outlet.
“We are currently working hard on it. I’m just grateful that I get to create this with Shonda, it’s a dream,” Marinis told Deadline last month of the show’s progress. “We’re working hard, and we’re working away, and I’m learning a lot about developing and creating a show, which I didn’t know before. I can’t release anything yet on timing, but I’m excited for y’all to see it.”
She also hinted that there could be crossovers from Grey’s down the line — but only time will tell.
Grey’s Anatomy is branching out with a spinoff set in Texas — and one alum is already pitching themselves for the show. Leven Rambin, who played Mark Sloan’s (Eric Dane) estranged daughter, Sloan, took to Instagram on Wednesday, May 20, saying, “Now, hold on just a minute. Grey’s Anatomy Texas spin-off? Are you kidding me? […]
“We’re still figuring out which episode, but yeah, just, traditionally with a spinoff [that’s done],” Marinis said. “We’re still working out on timing.”
As fans wait for more news about the latest Grey’s iteration, Us spoke with former star Sarah Drew about the possibility of her returning to the flagship series as Dr. April Kepner.
“I have never closed the door on that opportunity,” Drew, 46, revealed earlier this month. “They’ve invited me back twice [in 2021 and 2022] and I’ve gone back with my heart full, ready to work and excited to be home.”
The actress, who starred on Grey’s from 2009 to 2018, exclusively told Us that she hasn’t “gotten the call” to come back for a third time.
