SEASON PREMIERE

THE CAREERS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF SEATTLE GRACE'S FINEST HANG IN THE BALANCE -- WHO WILL SINK AND WHO WILL SHINE? -- ON THE SEASON 8 PREMIERE OF ABC'S "GREY'S ANATOMY"

"Free Falling / She's Gone" - "Grey's Anatomy" returns for its eighth season with a two-hour event THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first hour, "Free Falling" (9:00-10:00 p.m.), the fifth-year residents return for the first day of a year that will make or break their careers: Meredith faces the consequences of tampering with Derek's clinical trial and is terminated at the hospital; April tries to step up to the plate as Chief Resident in the wake of a giant sinkhole in the middle of Seattle; and Cristina and Owen are still at odds over their drastically different feelings for their unborn child. In the second hour, "She's Gone" (10:00-11:00 p.m.), news of Meredith and Derek's unsteady relationship raises a red flag for Zola's adoption counselor; Alex quickly realizes that he has become the outcast of the group after ratting out Meredith; and Cristina makes a tough decision regarding her unexpected pregnancy. Also, Chief Webber brings Henry in for a last minute surgery, alarming Teddy.

"Grey's Anatomy" stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery and Sarah Drew as April Kepner.

Guest cast for "Free Falling" includes Mackenzie Astin as Danny, Amy Price-Francis as Susannah, and Robin Weigert as Karen. "Free Falling" was written by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater and directed by Rob Corn.

Guest cast for "She's Gone" includes Mackenzie Astin as Danny, Amy Price-Francis as Susannah, Scott Foley as Henry, and Mitch Pileggi as Larry Jennings. "She's Gone" was written by Debora Cahn and directed by Rob Corn.

"Grey's Anatomy" is broadcasted in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to airdate.

For more information on "Grey's Anatomy" please visit ABC.com.