Normalizing open relationships continues to be the TV storyline de jour in Hollywood these past few years. And now, we’ve got another long-running series stepping into the mix.
Grey’s Anatomy.
First off—yes, Grey’s Anatomy is still on the air. Its wild run of over 20 seasons is not just impressive, it’s kind of surreal. Many of us who tapped out sometime in the late 2000s are often surprised to hear it’s still going strong. But here we are—and this week, they’ve turned up the drama with a storyline that caught our attention in the best way: an open marriage.
And if you’re anything like us, that’s a reason to tune back in.
Wait—Teddy and Owen Are Opening Things Up?
Yep. After years of emotional rollercoasters, betrayals, and intense arguments, Teddy and Owen are giving open marriage a shot. But this isn’t being written off as some desperate last-ditch attempt or a scandalous plot twist. It’s more grounded than that.
They’re not ready to walk away from each other, but something clearly isn’t working. So instead of calling it quits, they’re rewriting the rules—together.
Sound familiar?
Kim Raver, who plays Teddy, even admitted in a recent interview that she and Kevin McKidd (Owen) were a little nervous about how the storyline would land.
And fair enough—open relationships are still a tricky topic for a lot of people. But they also agreed: if they were going to do it, it had to feel real.
And honestly? It does.
It’s Not Just About the Drama (Though There’s Plenty)
This new direction isn’t just drama llama TV—it’s also surprisingly thoughtful. The characters set rules (physical, not emotional), and the show is clearly interested in exploring the deeper layers of what it means to stay together when traditional marriage doesn’t fit anymore.
Raver made a great point: it can’t just be “a silly open marriage.” It needs to reflect growth.
Teddy’s been through cheating, heartbreak, and major missteps—and this time, she’s being honest. That’s not nothing.
Plus, the show adds another twist: Sophia Bush’s character Cass enters the scene, and she’s also in an open marriage—with a whole different vibe. That kind of representation matters. It shows that there’s not just one way to do non-monogamy—and not every open relationship has to blow up in flames.
More Shows Are Opening Up (Literally)
Grey’s isn’t the only series dipping a toe into open relationship waters. A few years ago, Netflix gave us You Me Her, a dramedy about a throuple navigating everyday life. It ran for five seasons and did a decent job of showing the highs, lows, and everything-in-between that comes with building a relationship outside the traditional mold.
Even animated series like Big Mouth have casually dropped in references to polyamory and open setups—often with more nuance than you’d expect.
Bit by bit, TV is reflecting the fact that a growing number of people are exploring different ways to connect romantically—and they deserve to see their choices handled with respect, not just played for shock or laughs.
So, Why Does Any of This Matter?
Because how relationships are shown on screen shapes how people think about them in real life.
For years, open relationships were either treated as a punchline or a sign that a character was deeply messed up. That kind of portrayal sticks. It feeds into stigma, and it makes people feel like there’s something wrong with wanting—or even just considering—a different kind of relationship.
But now? Storylines like Teddy and Owen’s show that people can talk about it. That it’s not always about cheating or falling apart—it can be about choosing honesty, communication, and staying together in a way that works for you.