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Grey’s Anatomy has been a hit television show on the ABC network since 2005. The show was created by Shonda Rhimes, who has gone on to create many other successful shows such as Scandal and Bridgerton. Since it first premiered, Grey’s Anatomy has starred Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey. The show has had a constant rotation of actors and actresses, as new actors enter the show while others leave to tackle new projects. Now it is Pompeo’s turn to take a step back from the show.
Pompeo has played the same character for almost two decades, so it is no surprise that she needs a break from playing a doctor. Pompeo has previously taken breaks from the show for maternity leave, but this will be the first time she will not be returning. Here’s why Ellen Pompeo is stepping back from Grey’s Anatomy.
8/8 Who Is Ellen Pompeo?
Ellen Pompeo is an American actress best known for her leading role in the highly successful television show Grey’s Anatomy. Pompeo has played the main character Meredith Grey on the ABC show since the show first aired in 2005. Currently, Pompeo is one of three actors to still be on the show since its premiere.
Over the years, Pompeo has also made guest appearances in other projects. She appeared in one episode of the hit sitcom Friends as well as the 2002 film Catch Me If You Can. Pompeo married Chris Ivery in 2007. The couple currently has three children, Sienna, Eli, and Stella.
7/8 Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, And Others Left Grey’s Anatomy
Considering the television show has been on for nearly two decades, it is no surprise that many actors and actresses have come and gone on Grey’s Anatomy. Stars such as Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, and Jessica Capshaw have left the show over the years to tackle new projects. Sandra Oh, though a fan favorite, left the show in its 10th season and went on to win a Golden Globe for her work in the show Killing Eve.
Patrick Dempsey, who played the main love interest Derrick Sheppard, left the show during 11th season. The reason for his exit was rumored to be due to an affair he had with a staff member of the show. Dempsey returned in the show’s 17th season as a “ghost” to support Meredith Grey.
6/8 Pompeo’s Reduced Role In Season 19
Sadly for Grey’s Anatomy fans, the end of the Meredith Grey era is near. Over the summer, ahead of the premiere of season 19, the network announced that Ellen Pompeo would have a significantly reduced role in season 19. Since before season 18, Pompeo has been working with executives to work out a way for the show to survive without Meredith Grey.
Pompeo only appears in 8 episodes in the current season. Up to date, Pompeo has already appeared in 6 episodes. Her farewell episode will come before the season finale.
5/8 Ellen Pompeo Wanted To Leave Grey’s Anatomy Years Ago
During Grey’s Anatomy’s 17th season, Ellen Pompeo was already beginning to hint at her exit from the ABC show. Her contract was up at the end of the season, and she even suggested that season 17 could be her final season playing Meredith Grey. However, Pompeo signed on for season 18.
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During filming for season 18, Pompeo stated that she was “convincing everybody that [Grey’s Anatomy] should end.” On her podcast Tell Me, Pompeo has also gotten candid about wanting to leave the show. She admitted to never planning to be on the show for these many seasons and felt as if she had been playing the same character for too long.
4/8 What Is Meredith Grey’s Exit Story?
The reason for Meredith Grey and therefore Ellen Pompeo’s exit from Grey’s Anatomy has now been revealed. Grey’s daughter Zola suffers from panic attacks over the fear of her mother dying from Alzheimer’s disease. Zola is also highly gifted and is interested in attending a school for gifted children in Boston.
In an effort to help her daughter, Grey spoke to Jackson Avery about working in Boston. Avery is played by Jesse Williams, who left the show at the end of season 17th. Avery offered Grey a job at his foundation researching Alzheimer’s disease. It seems Meredith Grey and her family will be moving to Boston, especially with her iconic house burning to the ground at the end of the mid-season finale.
3/8 Fans “Done” With Grey’s Anatomy
Fans are clearly very dedicated to Grey’s Anatomy. Without a dedicated fanbase, the show never would have been on air for this long and it certainly would not be the most popular show for the ABC network. However, fans seem to have been pushed to the limit with Ellen Pompeo saying goodbye to her beloved character.
Viewers have taken issue with the revolving door of cast members and characters on Grey’s Anatomy in the past, but this exit may be too much. Meredith Grey is the heart and soul of the show, and many wonder what will become of the television show without her. Some fans even claim that without Pompeo, there is no more Grey’s Anatomy.
2/8 When Is Ellen Pompeo’s Final Episode On Grey’s Anatomy?
Ahead of the premiere of season 19, it was announced that Ellen Pompeo would have a significantly reduced role this season. This decision was made in preparation for her exit, allowing other characters to step into center stage before Meredith Grey said goodbye to the hospital she has worked at for nearly two decades.
Pompeo only appears in eight episodes during season 19. Her seventh episode will be the mid-season premiere on February 23rd titled “I’ll Follow The Sun.” This episode will be Ellen Pompeo and Meredith Grey’s exit and goodbye from Grey’s Anatomy. Pompeo will return for a guest appearance in the season finale.
1/8 What Is Ellen Pompeo’s Next Project?
While Ellen Pompeo is done working on Grey’s Anatomy, she certainly is not done with acting. Pompeo already has her next project lined up with Hulu. It is based on the 2019 news story involving the Barnett family and their adoption of a supposed 6-year-old from Ukraine.
After being charged with neglect and childhood abandonment, the Barnett’s claim their adopted child is actually an adult with a rare form of dwarfism who is mentally unstable. The 8-episode miniseries will air on Hulu, but the project does not currently have a title.
