Former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Martin Henderson has addressed the possibility of reprising his role as Dr. Nathan Riggs on the long-running show. Riggs was introduced in season 12 and quickly became a significant figure at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, working as a trauma surgeon and becoming a love interest for both Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Megan Hunt (Abigail Spencer). Henderson left the series in 2017 after two seasons and has since been starring in Netflix’s “Virgin River”, which recently got renewed for a seventh season, making it the streaming giant’s longest-running current original scripted series.
Seven years after his unassuming departure from “Grey’s Anatomy”, Henderson is now considering a return. In a recent interview, he discussed the idea of coming back as Nathan Riggs. He admitted that he hadn’t really thought about it much, given his heavy commitment to “Virgin River” and other aspects of his life and career. However, he noted his long working relationship with Shonda Rhimes, who had cast him in two other ABC projects before bringing him on as a series regular for “Grey’s Anatomy”. Here’s what he said:
“I haven’t given it a lot of thought, just because I’ve been so committed and busy with Virgin River and some other stuff and life. But I think Shonda Rhimes has always been really supportive of me; we’ve actually worked together a bunch of times on different things, so I would always be open to the possibility. Again, if it fitted in with whatever else was going on in my life at the time and my career.”
The actor also added that he’d be open to returning “as long as I felt that the character had something to do and I could give something because I don’t think they really knew what to do with Nathan.” Henderson had stepped into the role after Patrick Dempsey’s unexpected exit from the show and told that he never felt the character was fully defined. In his words:
“It was almost like a stopgap measure with the departure of Derek. It was like, oh, we need a love interest. And so he, and by virtue I, was dropped into this world, but I don’t think he was ever that defined. If I were to go back, I would have to make sure that there was a really clear plan for why he was there.”
What this means for Riggs’ future on “Grey’s Anatomy” is that his potential return could open up an interesting new storyline for the series. With the constantly evolving cast and the changing dynamics at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, it could offer a sense of closure. Riggs was last seen on a California beach with Megan and her son Farouk, setting off for a future together. However, Megan later returned in season 18 and disclosed that she and Nathan had broken up. His comeback could add a new dimension to Megan’s ongoing story or, although less likely, bring a dramatic shift to Meredith’s love life and her relationship with Nick Marsh.
Given “Grey’s Anatomy’s” numerous creative ways to bring back characters, like through flashbacks, parallel narratives, or fresh storylines, there are plenty of options for reintroducing Riggs. For Henderson, though, a return would hinge on his schedule and a valid reason for the character to make a reappearance. With his current success on “Virgin River”, where he plays Jack Sheridan, carving out time for a multi-episode arc on “Grey’s” could be a challenge. Still, his openness to the idea gives fans hope that they might see Nathan Riggs again or at least get an update on what he’s been up to.
Potential Nathan Riggs return is set in stone, Henderson’s willingness to potentially come back is exciting news for those who’ve missed seeing the character on screen. Bringing Riggs back could connect past and present storylines, pleasing long-time viewers and exploring how the character has developed since leaving. Whether it’s a multi-episode arc or just a single guest appearance, his potential return could stir up nostalgia, provide closure, and move the ongoing narrative forward. As “Grey’s Anatomy” continues its legacy as one of TV’s most cherished dramas and heads into season 21, the prospect of Riggs returning to the operating room is definitely worth watching for.
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