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