Gray’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and sequence star Ellen Pompeo have each mentioned the long-running ABC medical drama will finish when the actress decides to stroll away.
The sequence, which debuted in 2005, has had many ups and downs by means of the years, however the inventive group behind the scenes desires to make sure everyone seems to be proud of the ending when the time comes.
“I didn’t ever assume that I might keep on the present this lengthy. It occurred, and right here I’m. It’s been this unimaginable platform for me and allowed me to remain house with my youngsters a lot and never journey and have the circus lifetime of an actor,” she informed Selection in 2020. “So I assumed that it wasn’t the highway much less traveled, to remain on a tv present for this a few years, however truly it’s the highway much less traveled. And so, that’s been ironic.”
Though she mentioned she has “no expectations” in regards to the present’s eventual finish, she does have an thought in thoughts for Meredith Gray’s last episode.
In January 2018, Pompeo opened up about her battle for equal pay on the sequence after 14 seasons, telling The Hollywood Reporter that she tried to barter with former costar Patrick Dempsey. (Dempsey exited the present in 2015 and returned for a multi-episode arc in 2020.)
“They may at all times use him as leverage towards me — ‘We don’t want you; now we have Patrick’ — which they did for years. I don’t know if in addition they did that to him, as a result of he and I by no means mentioned our offers,” she recalled on the time. “There have been many occasions the place I reached out about becoming a member of collectively to barter, however he was by no means inquisitive about that. At one level, I requested for $5,000 greater than him simply on precept, as a result of the present is Gray’s Anatomy and I’m Meredith Gray. They wouldn’t give it to me.”
Finally, she bought her ask and have become one of many highest-paid actors on TV, raking in almost $20 million a yr. So, what’s going to occur when that ends?
“I can do something I would like or not do something in any respect,” the producer mentioned on CBS This Morning in 2021.
In August 2022, TVLine reported that Pompeo would take a lowered position within the present, showing in simply eight episodes of the season. Her last episode will air in February 2023.
Scroll by means of the gallery under for all the things the actress has mentioned about when the present will finish.
Credit score: ABC/Nino Muñoz
Every part Ellen Pompeo Has Stated About How Lengthy She’ll Keep on ‘Gray’s Anatomy’
Gray’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes and sequence star Ellen Pompeo have each mentioned the long-running ABC medical drama will finish when the actress decides to stroll away.
The sequence, which debuted in 2005, has had many ups and downs by means of the years, however the inventive group behind the scenes desires to make sure everyone seems to be proud of the ending when the time comes.
“I didn’t ever assume that I might keep on the present this lengthy. It occurred, and right here I’m. It’s been this unimaginable platform for me and allowed me to remain house with my youngsters a lot and never journey and have the circus lifetime of an actor,” she informed Selection in 2020. “So I assumed that it wasn’t the highway much less traveled, to remain on a tv present for this a few years, however truly it’s the highway much less traveled. And so, that’s been ironic.”
Though she mentioned she has “no expectations” in regards to the present’s eventual finish, she does have an thought in thoughts for Meredith Gray’s last episode.
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In January 2018, Pompeo opened up about her battle for equal pay on the sequence after 14 seasons, telling The Hollywood Reporter that she tried to barter with former costar Patrick Dempsey. (Dempsey exited the present in 2015 and returned for a multi-episode arc in 2020.)
“They may at all times use him as leverage towards me — ‘We don’t want you; now we have Patrick’ — which they did for years. I don’t know if in addition they did that to him, as a result of he and I by no means mentioned our offers,” she recalled on the time. “There have been many occasions the place I reached out about becoming a member of collectively to barter, however he was by no means inquisitive about that. At one level, I requested for $5,000 greater than him simply on precept, as a result of the present is Gray’s Anatomy and I’m Meredith Gray. They wouldn’t give it to me.”
Finally, she bought her ask and have become one of many highest-paid actors on TV, raking in almost $20 million a yr. So, what’s going to occur when that ends?
“I can do something I would like or not do something in any respect,” the producer mentioned on CBS This Morning in 2021.
In August 2022, TVLine reported that Pompeo would take a lowered position within the present, showing in simply eight episodes of the season. Her last episode will air in February 2023.
Scroll by means of the gallery under for all the things the actress has mentioned about when the present will finish.
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Credit score: Scott Garfield/ABC/Getty Pictures
What’s To not Love
Pompeo’s contract was up after season 8, however she reassured followers that she had no plans to exit the sequence throughout an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April 2012. “It is a fantastic job and fantastic group of people that all actually care how good the present is,” she mentioned on the time. “It is a win-win: I’ve an ideal job, the present touches individuals and folks discover solace within the present and it is entertaining. I do not see what extra I might need in a job.”
Credit score: Rob Latour/Shutterstock
Able to Retire?
The actress signed one other two-year deal to remain on Gray’s Anatomy in January 2014, however then revealed she could give up appearing after the sequence’ run.”I positively do not have a robust need to behave after Gray’s; I positively really feel myself transitioning,” she mentioned throughout a panel with BuzzFeed Brews in September 2014. “I do not discover appearing terribly empowering. For the place I’m in my life … I do not essentially need to work for different individuals.”
Credit score: Craig Sjodin/Abc-Television/Kobal/Shutterstock
Pondering In regards to the Finish
Pompeo admitted to Cosmopolitan in February 2016 that she thinks in regards to the finish of the drama. “I give it some thought so much. And I can not actually speak about my future plans, however sure, Shonda and I speak about it. We really feel like we’re on this collectively, and I feel we do not need to do the present with out one another. I feel when both of us is prepared, once we really feel like it is time to wrap it up [we will],” she revealed. “When she appears like it is time to wrap it up, I am blissful to, and if I have been to really feel that approach, she would most likely be OK too. We’ve a superb relationship in that approach, and hopefully it is a choice we’ll come to collectively.”
“Essentially the most releasing factor about my place in my life proper now could be I really feel completely no stress to show something,” Pompeo continued. “The one stress I really feel is to my daughters, to be a superb mom. Aside from that, I really feel no stress to need to show something. Something. Which is such a tremendous, free place to be.”
Credit score: Mitch Haaseth/ABC
Too Blessed to Be Burdened
“We’re blessed to have the ability to go on this lengthy. So long as the present is profitable and Shonda and I and the solid are having enjoyable, I feel that can be a choice that Shonda and I come to,” Pompeo informed The Hollywood Reporter forward of season 13 in September 2016. “Clearly the community and the studio could have some say. There isn’t any speak of going away with numbers like this. So long as the present’s a hit — I imply, it is so enjoyable! It is such rarified air. To have a present on the air for this lengthy and have or not it’s this profitable and have or not it’s driving a complete night time of tv and be the community’s No. 1 present — I am tremendous grateful. And I do not need to take that with no consideration, and I do not need to stroll away from the golden goose. I need to put a leash round it and take it in every single place with me.”
Credit score: ABC/Rick Rowell
‘Why Stroll Away From a Hit?’
Pompeo reiterated that she and Rhimes will finish the present when Pompeo’s able to cease throughout an interview with Selection in March 2017. “The story is about Meredith Gray’s journey and once I’m performed, the present will finish,” she defined. “I don’t understand how lengthy the present will go on. I do know the community and the studio wish to say they see no finish in sight, however I feel the viewers will inform us when the present is not a fan favourite. I feel it’s fairly boastful to imagine the present can go on without end — I don’t like that strategy. Proper now, we’re very fortunate to have the followers nonetheless hanging on, and I feel the followers will tell us when it’s time to cease the present.”
“Why stroll away from successful?” she added. “You don’t stroll away from one thing for nothing. And with the monitor document on the market, I’m good to maintain doing it for now.”
Credit score: ABC/Richard Cartwright
Scores Gold
“Yearly I preserve saying, ‘That is the final yr, they’re positively gonna get sick of us, the rankings are going to plummet and we’re over on the finish of this yr,’” Pompeo confessed to Seth Meyers on Late Evening in November 2017. “I say it each single yr and it by no means occurs. I can not imagine individuals aren’t sick of me but. … Perhaps they’re all consuming tequila and probably not paying consideration.”
Credit score: Emma McIntyre/Getty Pictures
Making Historical past
Pompeo grew to become one of many highest paid actresses on TV — incomes greater than $550,000 an episode — in January 2018 after signing a contract for seasons 15 and 16 of Gray’s. “I’ve been saying since season 1, ‘We’ve two extra years.’ This present, it’s taking up a lifetime of its personal, and who is aware of? We take it season by season actually,” she informed Deadline on the time. “Shonda and I’ll determine once we finish the present, and I feel that Shonda will determine how the character ends her journey. That can be all Shonda Rhimes at this stage. Perhaps that may change, however I feel that till she says in any other case, till she says she desires [current showrunner] Krista [Vernoff] to determine, or me and Krista to determine, in my thoughts, she created this present, and it’s her proper to finish it nonetheless she sees match at any time when she sees match..”
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The Finish Is Close to
“We’re getting there. Shonda and I’ll make that call collectively,” Pompeo informed Us completely in Could 2018. “I feel that one of many largest classes that this present has taught me and being on this present for therefore lengthy has taught me, is that relationships do change. And so they do develop. They take work. Like all marriage, friendship. You gotta put within the work. It’s a must to settle for different individuals’s flaws, and settle for your individual flaws and attempt to change and be a greater particular person. However I feel all the things is definitely worth the effort and time. And issues get higher.”
Credit score: Ella DeGea/CBS
Acquainted Faces
Throughout an interview with James Corden in September 2019, Pompeo admitted she’d like to have authentic solid members seem within the last episode. “That most likely will not occur, however that might be probably the most superb technique to [end it],” she mentioned on The Late Late Present.
Credit score: ABC/Eric McCandless
In search of a Change
Whereas Pompeo mentioned she “clearly” wasn’t ready “to make any type of formal announcement” about her future on Gray’s throughout an interview with Leisure Weekly in September 2018, she hinted the present could finish after season 16 in 2020. “I’m actually feeling like now we have informed nearly all of the tales we will inform,” she admitted. “It’s about time that I combine it up. I’m positively searching for a change.”
Credit score: Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.
A Sense of Obligation
A month after Pompeo admitted she was searching for change, she informed Ellen DeGeneres that there’s “no finish in sight” for Gray’s. “The present is so well-liked,” she informed the host in October 2018. “All over the place I am going, whether or not it is Italy, whether or not it is France, London, Kansas … the people who come as much as me with tears of their eyes and inform me how significant the present is to them.”
An emotional Pompeo added: “I bought to maintain doing it, man, as a result of we’re touching lives and making a distinction.”
Credit score: Eric McCandless/ABC through Getty Pictures
Two Extra Years
A month after Gray’s was picked up for 2 extra seasons — and Pomepo signed one other two-year contract — the Catch Me If You Can actress revealed that she almost left the drama due to a “actually poisonous work surroundings.”
“It grew to become my objective to have an expertise there that I may very well be blissful and proud about, as a result of we had a lot turmoil for 10 years,” Pompeo informed Selection in June 2019. “My mission grew to become, this could’t be improbable to the general public and a catastrophe behind the scenes. Shonda Rhimes and I made a decision to rewrite the ending of this story. That’s what’s stored me.”
Credit score: ABC/Kelsey McNeal
Mer’s Ending
“I’ve no expectations and that’s how I survive,” Pompeo informed Selection in April 2020 when requested in regards to the how the present will finish. “The ultimate episode I did [have an image], however I can’t actually let you know as a result of then I’ll need to kill you. Krista [Vernoff] and I talked about potential issues.”
She added on the time, “I’ve signed on for yet another season is all I can say.”
Credit score: ABC/Kelsey McNeal
A Huge Choice
Forward of the season 17 premiere in October 2020, Pompeo informed Selection that she does not but know when the present is ending. “The reality is, this yr may very well be it,” she mentioned on the time. “I’m continually preventing for the present as a complete to be nearly as good as it may be. As a producer, I really feel like I’ve permission to have the ability to do this. I imply, that is the final yr of my contract proper now. I don’t know that that is the final yr, however it might very properly may very well be.”
Credit score: Gilles Mingasson/ABC/Kobal/Shutterstock
Nonetheless Deciding
“We truthfully haven’t determined. We’re actually making an attempt to determine it out proper now,” Pompeo mentioned on CBS Sunday Morning in February 2021 about whether or not season 17 would be the final. “To finish a present this iconic — how can we do it? I simply wanna be certain that we do that character and this present and the followers, I wanna be certain that we do it proper.”
Credit score: ABC
One other Go!
In Could 2021, ABC introduced that Gray’s Anatomy can be returning for season 18. Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. inked new contracts that may safe them for a minimum of yet another season every.
Credit score: Danny Moloshok/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
‘Making an attempt’ to Contemplate the Finish
Earlier than presenting on the 2021 Emmys, Pompeo mentioned that followers who say the tip should be coming quickly are “not far off,” explaining that she typically contemplates ending her historic run.
“I imply, I have been making an attempt to get away for years,” she informed Leisure Tonight on the purple carpet in September 2021. “I’ve been making an attempt. It is not as a result of I have never been making an attempt. I’ve sturdy relationships on the community and so they have been very, excellent to me, and have incentivized me to remain.”
She added that the writers haven’t run out of story but both. “Miraculously, we preserve arising with methods to have a purpose to remain and if there is a purpose, that warrants it,” Pompeo defined.
Credit score: ABC/Liliane Lathan
Involved About Persevering with the Story
In December 2021, Pompeo revealed that she did not hear many individuals arguing for Gray’s Anatomy to finish after season 18, however the conclusion is definitely on the entrance of her thoughts.
“I have been making an attempt to deal with convincing all people that it ought to finish,” she informed Insider. “I really feel like I am the tremendous naive one who retains saying, ‘However what is the story going to be, what story are we going to inform?’ And everybody’s like, ‘Who cares, Ellen? It makes a gazillion {dollars}.'”
Credit score: ABC/Mike Rosenthal
A Future With out Her?
Pompeo hinted in Could 2022 that Rhimes could also be contemplating persevering with the sequence with out her as soon as she formally leaves the present. “The present speaks to lots of people, and the younger individuals love the present,” Pompeo informed Leisure Tonight. “It is impressed so many generations of healthcare employees, so, I feel for the younger individuals, it is a actually good piece of content material.”
She added: “We will attempt to preserve it going for the younger individuals, not essentially with me, however preserve it going past me.” When requested whose “anatomy” wouldn’t it be with out her character, the actress replied, “We’ll discover somebody, or perhaps, we gained’t.”
Credit score: Courtesy of Ellen Pompeo/Instagram
Nearly Goodbye
In August 2022, TV Line reported that Pompeo’s position on season 19 can be considerably lowered. Her last episode was later confirmed to be airing in February 2023.
“I’m eternally grateful and humbled by the love and help you may have all proven me, Meredith GREY and the present for 19 seasons! By means of all of it….none of it …would have been attainable with out the perfect followers on this planet. You all are RIDERS and also you all have made the journey so enjoyable and ICONIC!!” she captioned a grateful message to followers through Instagram in November 2022 as she ready to say goodbye. “I really like you madly and recognize you proper again. This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you understand the present should go on and I’ll positively be again to go to. With plenty of love and immense gratitude XoE ??❤️.”
Credit score: E! Leisure/NBC
Coming to an Finish
Whereas on the purple carpet for the 2022 Folks’s Alternative Awards, the actress revealed that she had two extra episodes left earlier than exiting the medical drama: one after the midseason hiatus and one other on the season 19 finale.
Credit score: ABC/Nino Muñoz
Comfortable Modifications
“I really feel tremendous blissful,” Pompeo mentioned throughout a December 2022 look on The Drew Barrymore Present, reflecting on her lowered position on the ABC sequence. “However hear, the present has been unimaginable to me and I’ve liked plenty of the expertise. It is simply [that] I gotta combine it up just a little bit. I am 53, my mind is like scrambled eggs … I gotta do one thing new or I am actually gonna flip into, like, [someone who] cannot do the New York Instances crossword puzzle each single day.”
The actress added: “I imply, 10 years. That is greater than individuals preserve their youngsters of their home — like, individuals preserve their youngsters of their home till they’re 18 after which they ship them off to varsity, so that is like me going away to varsity.”
