"Grey's Anatomy' season 12 continues to expand its cast as Joey Lauren Adams has signed on to the hit ABC drama series to appear in its premiere episode.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, the "Chasing Amy' actress will take on the role of Dr. Bailey's (Chandra Wilson) biggest competition as the new chief of surgery at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. However, Adams' character's name is yet to be announced.
In season 11, Dr. Bailey continued to show her desire in becoming the new chief of surgery, and expressed her willingness to compete against any individual who will try to stop her from obtaining the position.
In an interview with EW, executive producer Shonda Rhimes shared how Dr. Bailey will be facing certain difficulties in her efforts to become the new chief.
"We're going to watch Bailey make a play for chief. We're going to see what it means if she does or doesn't get it, and we're going to watch her struggle with growing up in that sense," she explained.
As for the premiere episode of "Grey's Anatomy' season 12, it will reportedly shed light on bullying.
ABC recently unveiled the official synopsis for the first episode titled "Sledgehammer,' helmed by Kevin McKidd.
"Grey Sloan Memorial springs into action to save the lives of two young girls whose powerful story will force some of the doctors to revisit the effects of bullying in their own pasts," the synopsis stated.
Moreover, "Sledgehammer' will also focus on Meredith's (Ellen Pompeo) attempts at making changes and adjusting to her new roommates, Maggie (Kelly McCreary) and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone).
Rhimes has not yet made plans of coming up with a new love interest for Meredith in the new season despite the addition of actor Martin Henderson to play a new surgeon.
"Meredith is in a rebirth and she's evolving. I'm watching the character do what the character's doing and I'll see where it goes," Rhimes told E! News.
Jackson (Jesse Williams) is also expected to make the necessary preparations for April's (Sarah Drew) return to Seattle.
In addition, "Grey's Anatomy' season 12 will draw attention to Callie (Sara Ramirez) and Arizona's (Jessica Capshaw) new love interests, and they will accept their current state of just being friends.
According to Rhimes, Arizona will make use of funny coping mechanisms after learning that Callie is seeing another woman.
"Definitely some new romances for them this season, and some pretty exciting ones, too, which I think are going to be kind of interesting," the showrunner shared.
ABC's "Grey's Anatomy' season 12 is set to premiere on Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. ET.
