Karla Souza will lead the upcoming untitled Grey’s Anatomy spinoff, marking the first casting announcement for the ABC medical drama.
The series, which is set in rural West Texas, is now scheduled to premiere during the 2027–2028 broadcast season.
Souza, known for her role as Laurel Castillo on the Shondaland series How To Get Away With Murder, will portray Dr. Carolina “Lina” Hall. The character is described as a haunted and cynical doctor who manages a medical center in a small West Texas town, serving as the final point of care before a vast, isolated region.
Beyond her work with Shondaland, Souza’s career includes roles in the Netflix action-comedy Day Shift, the Prime Video series 56 Days, and the ABC sitcom Home Economics. She also received two International Emmy Awards for producing and starring in the sports drama Dive, known internationally as La Caida.
Her background includes training at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London, as well as in Moscow and New York, and she is represented by Gersh, Untitled, and Gang Tyre.
The spinoff was initially expected to launch during the 2026–2027 season, but production was delayed after the series failed to secure a California film and television tax credit. While the spinoff will be produced by 20th Television and Shondaland, the production team has relocated to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to film the series.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spinoff Finds Lead in Karla Souza https://t.co/YIpvpfMxRi
This move marks the first time a production in the Grey’s Anatomy franchise has been filmed outside of California, a state where the original series and its predecessors, Private Practice and Station 19, were long-term staples.
Moving to New Mexico After California Tax Credit Denials
The decision to move to New Mexico followed two unsuccessful applications for California production incentives. Shondaland executive producer Betsy Beers addressed the difficulties in securing these credits during an Assembly Committee hearing in North Hollywood on October 29, 2026. Beers emphasized the financial and logistical impact of the rejection on the production timeline.
Karla Souza has been cast as a lead in ABC’s new ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ spinoff set in West Texas. She is the first actor to join the untitled 20th Television studio series https://t.co/jpzdGaEiQ8
“And then we were told, regardless of earlier messaging, there would be no chance to apply if you were a new show; returning, sure, not a new show,” Beers said.
We were denied credit due to the fact we were not providing enough jobs for the state to consider us an asset. None of our past history or track record were taken into consideration.
Betsy Beers, executive producer
The loss of potential credits forced the production to pivot, resulting in significant delays for the cast and crew.
We lost personnel, we lost a lot of time, and we lost money trying to find a way to stay where we have always been. Now we are filming in Albuquerque, where they have been wonderful to work with, but we want to be here.
Betsy Beers, executive producer
Beers also highlighted the logistical importance of keeping the production in California, as the show’s co-creator and showrunner, Meg Marinis, is simultaneously managing the long-running Grey’s Anatomy. The geographical shift to New Mexico creates a substantial commute for those balancing responsibilities between the two shows.
Shonda Rhimes and Meg Marinis Create New Series
The new series is created by Shonda Rhimes and current Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Meg Marinis, both of whom serve as executive producers alongside Beers and Ellen Pompeo. The project received a straight-to-series order from ABC in May 2026.
The "Grey's Anatomy" spinoff set in Texas has cast Karla Souza in a lead role. The "How to Get Away With Murder" alum will star as Dr. Carolina "Lina" Hall, who is described as "a haunted and cynical doctor who runs a medical center in a small town in West Texas." The spinoff… pic.twitter.com/F4jMiWfZzy
While the series is intended to be a standalone drama, Marinis has suggested that the door remains open for appearances by legacy characters from the Grey’s Anatomy universe, depending on creative needs and actor availability.
The franchise has a proven history of longevity, with Private Practice airing for six seasons between 2007 and 2012, and Station 19 running for seven seasons from 2018 to 2024. The original Grey’s Anatomy, which premiered on March 27, 2005, continues to be a central fixture for ABC, with its 23rd season currently airing on Thursdays at 10/9c.
'Grey's Anatomy' Texas Spinoff Casts 'How to Get Away With Murder' Alum Karla Souza in Lead Role https://t.co/MY78UE1HrK
On November 2, Governor Gavin Newsom proposed increasing the state’s film tax credit funding to at least $1 billion annually, a move aimed at addressing the concerns regarding the loss of local production jobs that Beers and other industry leaders have cited.
Karla Souza has landed a lead role in the "Grey's Anatomy" Texas-based spinoff, reuniting her with Shonda Rhimes from their "How to Get Away with Murder" days!https://t.co/CVZUPQmLA4
