'Grey's Anatomy' season 13 news, spoilers: Series regulars ink new deals; Meredith–Nathan romance to bloom next season?

Contracts of six regulars from the cast of "Grey's Anatomy" were up at the end of season 12. While Ellen Pompeo, who plays the titular role of Meredith Grey in the series, signed a new contract early this month to continue with the show's next installment, four other cast regulars have inked new contracts as well.

Coming back for "Grey's Anatomy" season 13 are Kevin McKidd who plays Dr. Owen Hunt, Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey, Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev, and James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber.

The sixth regular, Sara Ramirez, who appeared in the series as Dr. Callie Torres, however, chose not to return for the next season in order to have time off from ABC's hit show; after all, she had been starring on the show since season 2.

The five other stars who signed anew had also been on the show for a while as regulars, with McKidd joining up in season 5 and the rest of them going way back to the first season. These stars are said to be enjoying top earnings from the show, with Pompeo topping them all with a reported $300,000 per shoot, making her one of the highest-paid television stars today.

No doubt that their pay is well-deserved, considering that "Grey's Anatomy" has consistently received high ratings for its 12-season run so far. The last season in fact earned one of its highest ratings, with critical acclaim and fan approval for well-performing scripts and storylines. The show also made it to the top six highest-rating drama series on ABC based on key demographics.

In other "Grey's Anatomy" season 13 news, the show will pick up where it left off in season 12 when Dr. Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary) admitted to Grey that she was attracted to Dr. Nathan Riggs (Martin Henderson), which had been an eye-opener for Grey.

Earlier though, Riggs had been watching Dr. Grey. The two actually saw the end of season 12 with a romantic note between them. Pierce's interest though is something that may complicate matters in the upcoming season, if romance does develop between Grey and Riggs.

Speculations have been made on Grey finally finding love when season 13 comes along. Some fans have been rooting ever so long for Dr. Karev and Dr. Grey, who incidentally are the last two remaining original residents at Grey Sloan Memorial. These two go way back and have been tight friends since, which became one point against the possibility of their finding love in each other. There are viewers who may get weirded out by this pair of fast friends becoming romantically involved.

This brings the discussion back to Grey and Riggs and how they seem to be the natural choice for each other. Will they continue to fan the flame of romance that sparked in season 12?

"Grey's Anatomy" season 13 will be back in the fall.