Shonda Rhimes Talks About Grey’s Anatomy’s Ending, Ellen Pompeo’s Return

Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes talked about the never-ending medical drama, which is now on its way to its 20th season, and Ellen Pompeo's exit.

Grey's Anatomy has been on the air since 2005 and has undergone many big changes. With the coming of its 20th season, the talks about its never-ending story are again up in the air.

Shona Rhimes Addresses Grey's Anatomy's Future

While promoting her new Netflix series Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story in an interview with E! News, she talked about the future of Grey's Anatomy.

"I might be a very old lady by the time we reach it's last season because it doesn't seem to be stopping," she said. "Which is wonderful, and I feel the world really belongs to the fans and the fans have been really clear about what they want."

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Answering the questions about when the show will end, the famous showrunner, who's behind some of the most known TV series today, has no plans to finish its story as long as fans want to see it on the small screen.

"It's such an amazing show and it's doing so well as it's moving forward," she continued. "I'm going to leave it alone and see where it goes, and we're going to stay a show as long as everybody wants to be there and as long as the fans want to be there."

Shona Rhimes Discusses Ellen Pompeo's Exit

Pompeo left Grey's Anatomy in February 2023 after being on the show for 18 years.

So, what does Rhimes feel about it?

"Having Ellen leave was heartbreaking for everybody, but also knowing that she could come back anytime was also important for me," she stated.

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Leaving Meredith's exit open-ended, the author cleared that all of the series' past characters could return to the show, leaving the door "always open."

"Ellen's an amazing person and she and I have been having conversations the whole time, discussing when it was time and what it was feeling like," Rhimes explained. "We've always been having those discussions because I've always wanted her to be excited and invested and enjoying herself as much as she was at the beginning."

Shonda Rhimes Confirms Ellen Pompeo's Return

Rhimes knew it was the right time for Pompeo to leave Grey's Anatomy to "explore new creative things."

But despite the departure, she confirmed the 53-year-old actress would be back.

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"It was a little of a heartbreaking moment, but it was also a moment—for me—that she's not gone because she's coming back," she said. "I don't think of her as gone from the show, she's still doing the voiceovers; she's still there."

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