<P> The sixth season of the American television medical drama Grey's Anatomy, commenced airing on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on September 24, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2010 . The season was produced by ABC Studios, in association with Shondaland Production Company and The Mark Gordon Company; the showrunner being Shonda Rhimes . Actors Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, and Justin Chambers reprised their roles as surgical residents Meredith Grey, Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens, and Alex Karev, respectively . Heigl was released from her contract in the middle of the season, while T.R. Knight did not appear as George O'Malley, because Knight was released from his contract at the conclusion of season five . Main cast members Patrick Dempsey, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Sara Ramirez, Eric Dane, Chyler Leigh, and Kevin McKidd also returned, while previous recurring star Jessica Capshaw was promoted to a series regular, and Kim Raver was given star billing after the commencement of the season . </P> <P> The season follows the story of surgical interns, residents and their competent mentors, as they experience the difficulties of the competitive careers they have chosen . It is set in the surgical wing of the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, located in Seattle, Washington . A major storyline of the season is the characters adapting to change, as their beloved co-worker Stevens departed following the breakdown of her marriage, O'Malley died in the season premiere--following his being dragged by a bus, and new cardiothoracic surgeon Teddy Altman is given employment at the hospital . Further storylines include Shepherd being promoted to chief of surgery, Seattle Grace Hospital merging with the neighboring Mercy West--introducing several new doctors, and several physicians lives being placed into danger--when a grieving deceased patient's husband embarks on a shooting spree at the hospital, seeking revenge for his wife's death . </P> <P> The series ended its sixth season with 13.26 million viewers, ranking #17 in terms of ratings, the lowest the series had ever ranked up to then . The season received mixed critical feedback, with the season's premiere and finale given heavier critical acclaim, in contrast to the middle . The season was one of the least acclaimed in terms of awards and nominations, being the show's only season not to warrant a Primetime Emmy nomination . Despite the negative aspects of ratings and awards, the season managed to receive a spot on Movieline's top ten list . Buena Vista released the season onto a DVD box - set, being made available to regions 1 and 2 . </P> <P> The sixth season had thirteen roles receiving star billing, with twelve of them returning from the previous season, one of whom previously in a recurring guest capacity . The regulars portray the surgeons from the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital as new rivalries and romantic relationships begin to develop after the hospital's merger with Mercy West . Meredith Grey, a surgical resident and the protagonist of the series, is portrayed by Ellen Pompeo . Fellow residents Cristina Yang, Izzie Stevens and Alex Karev are portrayed by Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl and Justin Chambers, respectively . Attending general surgeon Miranda Bailey was portrayed by Chandra Wilson whose main storylines throughout the season focus on her divorce and the development of new romantic relationships . Seattle Grace Hospital's Chief of Surgery and general surgeon Richard Webber was portrayed by James Pickens, Jr., who returns to alcoholism after being sober for twenty years . </P>

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