Ellen Pompeo Leaving Grey’s Anatomy 19 Seasons After Leading The Medical Drama
Everything eventually ends, including Ellen Pompeo’s every-season appearance for the last 19 seasons in Grey’s Anatomy. Ellen made the official announcement on her Instagram last Thursday.
She will retire from Grey’s Anatomy, considered ABC’s longest-running show. This American medical drama had its pilot episode last March 27, 2005. It explores the professional and personal lives of the hospital team, primarily the surgical interns and the medical mentors.
Ellen, who plays the lead character Meredith Grey, posted a heartfelt message to her 9.8 million followers, expressing her gratitude for all the love and support she received as she played the series’ character. She shared how she felt humbled by the acceptance that everyone gave Meredith Grey for all 19 seasons of the show.
The Massachusetts-born actress continued in her caption that nothing would have been the way it is now without the support and presence of fans worldwide who followed Meredith, cried with her, and moved on with her.
The photo that Ellen uploaded showed herself wearing a mustard-yellow turtleneck and her hair in loose waves. The mother of three then spoke about the fans, raving about the Grey’s Anatomy ride being fun and iconic even to her.
She expressed her appreciation and assured all Grey Anatomy fans that she would return to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Fans liked her post more than 800,000 times.
Doctor Meredith’s departure was mentioned in last week’s episode, where she finally decided to move to another area, Boston.
She then announced her decision to the hospital team via an email, which Nick, played by Scott Speedman, did not take lightly. He was upset with the news, given that Dr. Grey didn’t bother consulting with him.
The same episode also showed how Meredith’s house was engulfed in flames, and the fire left her nothing except for the post-it, where her vows with Derek were written. During Season 19, Ellen was present in the first six episodes; the seventh is the winter premiere.
And finally, the eighth episode is the last episode for Season 19. During the season finale preview, Dr. Grey walked through the hospital and cheerfully exclaimed, “My last day!” The trailer also includes a surprise going away party for her, courtesy of her friends from the hospital.
The footage highlights Dr. Grey telling how the bon voyage party was thoughtful and ridiculous while Dr. Own Hunt, played by Kevin McKidd, told her just to let the team toast her. The teaser ended with Dr. Grey raising her glass of champagne in a toast.
In preparation for Dr. Grey’s departure, a new set of interns were introduced to the team, and so far, the long-time fans of the show have accepted the new characters.
Ellen can be seen next on Hulu’s Orphan, where she will function as the executive producer and lead character. This is based on a true story and is set for release next August. The movie is about a mid-western couple who embarks on a new journey as they adopt a girl with dwarfism.
