Grey's Anatomy star Kim Raver has revealed more details about how her character Teddy Altman will handle testing times during season 17.

The long-running medical drama begins its new season in the US tonight (November 12) and it opens with Teddy and her fianc Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) in a bad place, after season 16 ended with Owen finding out that Teddy had cheated on him with Thomas Koracick (Greg Germann).

Not only do the couple have their serious relationship troubles to contend with, but season 17 also incorporates the real world issue of COVID-19 into the storylines, as the staff of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital treat sick patients.

Related: Grey's stars drop hints about season 17 romance

Raver has told Entertainment Weekly that things won't be easy for Teddy and Owen in the new season, saying that the show has done an excellent job of showing how "messy" and real the characters can be.

"We didn't mean to end right on Teddy just doing the worst thing possible," she said of the season 16 finale. "I think it's interesting that it's a woman going through this because there seems to be more forgiveness when it's a man. I know that the fans are very upset and I'm upset with Teddy.

"It's so true to Grey's Anatomy that people are messy. Everyone is so messy. And I think that that is really the beautiful thing of the show is that they have their shining moments and then they have their very ugly human moments."

Of course, Teddy and Owen also have to deal with what COVID-19 is throwing at them, but Raver explained that Teddy and Owen are actually "kind of prepared for this because of their army training", as both have served in the military.

Related: Ex-Grey's Anatomy star Jessica Capshaw says people don't realise she's left

"You have to put everything on hold during this pandemic and just get everyone kind of to safety, so to speak. So I think that that's exactly the path that we're following," she said.

"They have their huge, gaping wounds that Teddy caused. Then we have this pandemic and how are they facing it? And I think that that's also what's interesting about healthcare workers is that they put others first."

Raver added that the storyline between Teddy, Owen and Koracick is "amazing", saying that the trio will have to keep their priorities straight during extremely challenging times.

Grey's Anatomy returns on ABC in the US tonight (November 12). It will airs on Sky Witness in the UK with selected episodes also available on NOW TV.

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Grey's Anatomy star discusses how Teddy and Owen are coping in season 17 - digitalspy.com