Grey’s Anatomy: Ellen Pompeo Reassures Fans Ahead of Her February Send-Off, ‘I’ll Definitely Be Back’
She’ll be back.
Ellen Pompeo, in a Thursday Instagram post, said that she was “grateful” for and “humbled” by the support of Grey’s Anatomy fans as she ends her full-time run on the ABC serial. But make no mistake, she will (eventually, to some degree) return as Meredith.
As reported back in August, Pompeo — one of just three remaining original Grey’s cast members — returned for Season 19 in only a limited capacity. The actress, who is staying on as an executive producer on the long-running drama, will continue to provide voiceover narration for the rest of this season’s episodes.
Pompeo’s swan song became all the more real via a promo for the midseason premiere airing Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, in which Meredith strolls the halls of Grey Sloan excited about her “big last day” and, presumably, the new life that awaits her and her family in Boston.
(As viewers know, Meredith discovered earlier this season that daughter Zola’s anxiety attacks are rooted in the fact that she’s gifted. Searching for a new school/environment to better stimulate the youngster’s mind, Mom settled on Boston, where Zola had taken a shine to Brookline STEAM Academy — and where former colleague Jackson had offered Mer a job trying to cure Alzheimer’s at the Catherine Fox Foundation.)
In her new Instagram post, Pompeo said, “I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons! Through it all, none of it would have been possible without the best fans in the world. You all are RIDERS and you all have made the ride so fun and ICONIC!!
“I love you madly and appreciate you right back,” she added. “This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you know the show must go on and I’ll definitely be back to visit. With a lot of love and immense gratitude XoE 🙏🏼❤️”
Previously, in a September red carpet hit, Pompeo promised that she would be back at Grey’s “for the finale.”
Grey’s creator Shonda Rhimes posted her own thoughts to Instagram several hours later. “What a wild ride these past 19 seasons have been,” she wrote. None of it could have been possible without the incomparable @ellenpompeo, the one and only Meredith Grey. This isn’t a goodbye, it’s a see ya later! Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Ellen, Meredith and Grey Sloan Memorial. #greysanatomy”
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There is no Greys Anatomy without Meredith Grey. Its going to be sad to see her go even if she is going to be back in some shape and form down the track. If they knew this was her last season, then why not end it with the story of Meredith Grey. The producers and showrunners owe us that. That is how this show should be ending not “starting over”. Instead they burnt down her house and i’m honestly so mad about that. That is also the heart and soul of this show. So many characters have stayed there when they needed to and they’ve burnt it to the ground. If they wanted to start over then spin off the show without Meredith instead of keeping it going in this capacity. Don’t get me wrong, i love the show and the cast to pieces. They’ve been in my life since 2005 but its just so bittersweet you know? I’m just sad and have so many mixed emotions rn :( I will say though, thankyou Ellen Pompeo for everything. So forever grateful that you have given us Meredith Grey for 19 incredible seasons. Its going to be hard to say goodbye 😭
Her “last” (for some time) episode is on Feb 23 and she’s saying goodbye on Nov 17 ? Why not waiting Feb ? She’s supposed to be back on S19 finale, too, isn’t she ?
So much drama ! The VO are still hers ! She’s coming back!
Irritating that this is being reported as brand new information by other outlets. I also think she will be around as much as Jackson and Kerasik, and that their exits probably served as a model / testing ground for hers, and that Speedman’s role exists to be a Derek-level figure who can also bring her into town regularly. I do however wish they’d bring in a ringer in her place, like full time Kate Walsh or MY DREAM Jessica Capshaw.
This. I think the series feels fresh this season and can go on without Meredith. But you need to bring a legacy character back full-time. It can’t just be Miranda and Richard. I think Addison would be the obvious choice, because she’s back already. But Arizona is a good choice too. April, and they can have Jackson pop in twice a season. One of these three would be ideal, because I know Sandra Oh would never ever come back as Christina.
I don’t see why they just don’t cancel it.
Because it’s the 5th most watched series among all series in the world, logging in higher viewership than, say, Stranger Things or The Mandalorian. It’s on the Top 10 streamed charts basically every week of the year and, clearly, millions of people worldwide enjoy it. You can just not watch, instead of asking it to be taken away from those who like it.
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