'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19 on ABC: Why is Ellen Pompeo leaving the show? Actress says she'll 'never truly be gone'

Ellen Pompeo, who has been playing Meredith Grey, spoke about her reduced screen time in the the upcoming season
Ellen Pompeo plays the pivotal character of Meredith Grey on 'Grey's Anatomy' (IMDb)
Ellen Pompeo plays the pivotal character of Meredith Grey on 'Grey's Anatomy' (IMDb)

'Grey's Anatomy' is among the longest-running shows in the history of television. It has long been in the limelight for its main character, Meredith Grey, as the show is an interpretation of her thoughts. Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey is first featured as an intern and later becomes the chief of general surgery while showcasing the complications of a surgeon's life. She was in focus till the last season, Season 18. However, things have changed.

Ellen Pompeo's performance has been well received throughout the show and her character gained widespread popularity. She has been nominated for multiple awards for her portrayal of the character in the ABC drama, including a Satellite Award for best actress and multiple nominations at the People's Choice Awards for best actress. She won at the 39th People's Choice Awards in 2013 and again in 2015 at the 41st People's Choice Awards. Pompeo has also received the best performance by an actress in a drama series nomination at the 64th Golden Globe Awards. After such appreciation and love, why is she leaving the show? Read on to know.

RELATED ARTICLES

'Grey's Anatomy' Season 18: Release date, spoilers and all about ABC medical drama

‘Romance in Style’: Jaicy Elliot went from being Grey Sloan's intern to plus-size fashionista in Hallmark film

Pompeo was a staple on the show until Season 18, after which the show shifted to a more ensemble format, with Pompeo appearing only occasionally. In a recent interview with Deadline, Pompeo has spoken about her reduced screen time in the upcoming season of 'Grey's Anatomy'. She said, "I’ll be back at Grey’s for the finale, and we’ll see if we can keep it going, I’m gonna always be a part of that show – I’m an exec producer on that show, I’ve spent two decades of my career on that show, it’s my heart and soul, and I’ll never truly be gone as long as that show’s on the air.”

She elaborated, “We’re really trying to set up the next generation. I’m really excited for them – they’re really great actors. They’re really excited to be there and they’re excited to tell these stories. It helps all of us who have been there since the beginning — it helps keep it new and fresh, so we’re really grateful to them.”

If Meredith Grey is your favorite character, it looks like you're still in luck as compared to fans of Derek Shephard, who was killed off on Season 11, or Mark Sloan, who was killed off in Season 8. 

The medical drama, 'Grey's Anatomy,' which follows the personal and professional lives of the doctors at Seattle's Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is coming back with Season 19 on Thursday, October 6.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

‘The Pitt’ Season 3 finally gets a timeline update, and the new holiday setting could bring even more pressure, trauma, and hospital conflicts.
30 minutes ago
Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames in Zoe Kazan’s new adaptation of the classic novel
41 minutes ago
'HBO Max' released the first trailer for 'Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,' a chaotic multiverse spinoff set in 'The Big Bang Theory' universe.
8 hours ago
Season 8 of 'The Chi' will consist of ten episodes in total and is supposed to be the most emotionally riveting yet.
8 hours ago
The ending of 'Good Omens' Season 3 saw Aziraphale and Crowley make a bold decision and an amazing epilogue for the two characters.
11 hours ago
One of the biggest shows on Paramount+ left fans wanting more after an explosive Season 2 finale, with Tommy Norris' new venture.
11 hours ago
The release update comes on the back of the co-president of Lucasfilm, Dave Filoni's latest on the Rosario Dawson-starrer.
13 hours ago
‘NCIS’ was renewed for another season in January, making it one of the longest-running scripted dramas on television.
16 hours ago
The penultimate chapter focuses on Frenchie, played by Tomer Capone, as The Boys ramp up their efforts to stop Homelander
16 hours ago
‘The Frenchman, the Female, and the Man Called Mother’s Milk’ lives up to every bit of hype it came with ahead of the finale.
16 hours ago