Is Ellen Pompeo Leaving 'Grey's Anatomy'? Here's What We KnowHome > Television > Grey's AnatomySource: Getty Images We' re Definitely Going to See Less of Ellen Pompeo for Season 19 of ' Grey' s Anatomy' By Jennifer TisdaleAug. 3 2022, Updated 10:53 p.m. ET Actress Ellen Pompeo, who plays the titular Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy, has played this part since 2005. There have been plenty of near-death experiences for Meredith that would give Ellen a way out, but she always manages to bounce back.Article continues below advertisement However, the show recently took Meredith in a direction that might finally give Ellen an exit strategy. Is Ellen leaving Grey's Anatomy and would we have to start calling it simply Anatomy?Source: ABC Ellen Pompeo as Meredith GreyArticle continues below advertisement Is Ellen Pompeo leaving ' Grey' s Anatomy' It looks like Ellen is sticking around Grey's Anatomy for at least one more season. In January 2022, TV Line reported that ABC announced Ellen and showrunner Krista Vernoff "inked new deals with studio ABC Signature, clearing the way for the long-running medical drama to carry on for at least one more season." Prior to solidifying her contract for another year, fans were convinced Season 18 would be Ellen's last. In an interview with Insider, Ellen revealed she has been "trying to focus on convincing everybody that it should end." This sentiment didn't seem to come from a lack of interest in the show or her character but rather a legitimate question regarding what more they could possibly do at this point. Everyone's response: "Who cares, Ellen? It makes a gazillion dollars." Article continues below advertisementSource: ABC (L-R) Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), Jordan Wright (Greg Tarzan Davis), Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) TV Line noted that despite being on air for almost two decades, the show remains incredibly popular, which could make it hard to walk away from. Also, series creator Shonda Rhimes isn't quite done telling Meredith's story. "I couldn’t be more excited that we get to keep telling the stories of Meredith, Bailey, Richard, and all of the other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial for another season," she said.Article continues below advertisement Ellen Pompeo is taking a step back from ' Grey' s Anatomy ' Ellen may not be leaving, but she's definitely going to spend less time at Grey Sloan Memorial in Season 19. According to Deadline, Ellen will only be in eight episodes of Grey's Anatomy during Season 19. Evidently, she will "continue to narrate (but may not do voiceover in every episode) and will remain an executive producer on the hugely popular medical drama, which remains ABC’s top scripted series." What a cushy job! How often does one get to work less but get paid the same? @EllenPompeo give us 20 seasons!! — Royal Parlor LLC CEO Breezy album out now! (@collegeking) August 4, 2022 Source: Twitter/@collegekingArticle continues below advertisement The good news is that we'll be able to hang out with Ellen in a new limited series coming to Hulu. She is slated to star in Orphan which centers on the "true story of Ukrainian-born Natalia Grace and her U.S. adoptive parents who claimed that she was an adult 'sociopath' pretending to be a child." This story is wild and we can't wait to see it. Really quick though is Meredith moving to Minnesota While Ellen is sticking around Grey's Anatomy, her character was offered a new job in Minnesota where she would head up The Grey Center. Initially, Meredith was summoned there by Dr. David Hamilton (Peter Gallagher), who tasked Meredith and her team with finding a cure for Parkinson's.Article continues below advertisement Groundbreaking surgery based on incredible research was performed on David, and it looks like he may have been cured. If not completely cured, his symptoms have certainly become manageable. This led David to ask Meredith if she would like to work for him permanently. He then handed her what we assume is an upsettingly enormous check. Source: ABC (L-R) Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), David Hamilton (Peter Gallagher)Article continues below advertisement Of course, work isn't the only thing that kept Meredith returning to Minnesota. She is also dating Dr. Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), whom she met during Season 14 when he was in Seattle picking up an organ, as you do. Nick is a transplant surgeon and while he was at Grey Sloan, he collapsed due to his own complications from a kidney transplant. They reconnected in Minnesota where he now works. Unfortunately Grey Sloan Memorial is kind of falling apart, which definitely affects Meredith's decision to go. By the end of Season 18, their residency program has been put on hold in order to bring it up to snuff. As with all things Grey's, there is always a larger overarching theme. In this case, while the program is being dissected, Meredith is looking at her own life and what she really wants. When Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) finds out Meredith was offered a job, she loses it on Meredith and even brings Derek into the freakout. There were a lot of low blows. We last see Bailey handing the keys to her office to Meredith, effectively offering her the job of Chief of Surgery. It looks like Meredith (and Ellen) are stuck with us a bit longer.AdvertisementMore from Distractify Ellen Pompeo Put the Grey in 'Grey's Anatomy' — Can She Ever Exit the Show? Is Meredith Grey Leaving Seattle for a New Job and a New Man? Things Between Dr. Amelia Shepherd and Dr. Kai Bartley Are Heating up on 'Grey's Anatomy' Latest Grey's Anatomy News and UpdatesAdvertisementABOUT DistractifyAbout UsPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseDMCASitemapCONNECT with DistractifyLink to Facebook Link to TwitterLink to InstagramContact us by Email Copyright 2022 Distractify. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.