Ellen Pompeo Discusses Passing the Baton to the Next Generation on Grey’s Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo has starred as Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy for 18 seasons, beginning in 2005. Although the actress will return in season 19, her role will be limited to just eight episodes out of the usual run of 20-23 installments. However, she will continue to narrate the series and serve as executive producer. The loss of the character will be a massive shakeup for the long-running show, and fans are wondering if it’s time to retire the white coats and scrubs after more than 400 total episodes.

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ABC is taking a different route, electing to add a new set of interns to the series, hoping to revitalize Grey’s Anatomy for years to come. Deadline caught up with Pompeo while she attended the D23 Expo, and the actress discussed passing the baton to the next generation with season 19.

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“We’re really trying to set it up for the next generation. I’m really excited for them, they’re all great actors, they have a great attitude, and they’re really excited to be there, and so we’re really excited to have them, and we’re just grateful that these kids wanted to jump in and they’re really excited to be there and excited to tell these stories. So it helps keep it fresh when there’s new people. 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, and I think every ones gonna love them.”

The new cast includes Adelaide Kane, Harry Shum Jr., Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho, and Midori Francis. Fans can see how the cast holds up to the original when season 19 of Grey’s Anatomy premieres on ABC and streams on Hulu next month, on Oct. 6.

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Ellen Pompeo Says She Will Never Truly Leave Grey’s Anatomy

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Ellen Pompeo has spent nearly two decades with Grey’s Anatomy, and the actress will find it hard to leave the series. Although her role has been reduced, she tells Deadline she will never truly be gone until the show is off the air.

“I don’t know how much I can give away, you know I can never say, they don’t like when I say. But listen the new season is gonna be fun. We have such a formula over there and the fans know what to expect. You know, it’s gonna be more of what we do best. Some laughter and some tears, and it’s gonna be just fine without me. I’m still gonna do the voiceover and everybody can come check me out on Hulu. Hopefully the fans come with me, I know there’s no guarantee of that. But I’m gonna put the same heart and passion into that. It’s just eight little episodes so it won’t take too much of your time. And 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 executive producer on that show, I 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 is on the air.”

Fans can rejoice hearing she will be in the finale of season 19, especially if that ends up being the finale of the entire series. Pompeo’s next project is an untitled series similar to the Orphan films, following a Midwestern couple who adopt what they believe to be a girl with dwarfism. However, she may not be who she claims, and the couple will deal with battles in the courtroom, in tabloids, and in their own marriage.

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