Harry Shum Jr. has given fans no clear answer about what comes next for his longtime character on Grey’s Anatomy. Instead, his latest comments leave the door cracked open while another ABC commitment adds a fresh wrinkle to his schedule. For now, Dr. Benson “Blue” Kwan’s future remains uncertain after a major Season 22 shake-up.
Harry Shum Jr. on if he’ll be back in Grey’s Anatomy Season 23
Shum joined Grey’s Anatomy in Season 19 as Blue, but the character ended the latest season without a job at Grey Sloan Memorial. It came to Dr. Webber’s attention that Dr. Bailey had protected Blue after he treated a liver cancer patient with an experimental procedure that lacked FDA approval. The fallout cost Blue his position, although the show’s history leaves room for a comeback.
That possibility now sits alongside Shum’s new role on Dancing With the Stars. ABC revealed him as part of the Season 35 cast Wednesday, prompting an obvious question about whether the ballroom will replace the hospital.
Shum offered no definitive answer, telling Entertainment Weekly, “I don’t know,” before explaining that the teams are “trying to work it out.” He also pointed directly to Blue’s firing, saying viewers will have to see “how that happens” if the doctor returns.
Shum’s comments leave the door open for another return to Grey Sloan, especially since the hospital has a long history of giving dismissed doctors another shot. “A lot of people have been fired on the show,” he pointed out. The bigger uncertainty comes from the show’s evolving ensemble.
Several longtime regulars have shifted to recurring status, changing how much time they spend on-screen. Caterina Scorsone also stepped away for an extended stretch last season, amid reports that financial pressures and budget reductions were influencing the cast changes.
Shum is hardly stepping onto the Dancing With the Stars stage without knowing his way around choreography. His background includes touring with Jennifer Lopez and performing on Glee, giving him an obvious edge before the competition even begins. Jenna Johnson will be by his side as his professional partner.
