Former Grey's Anatomy series regular Jesse Williams reveals that he doesn't think the show can survive without star Ellen Pompeo. First airing in 2005 on ABC, Grey's Anatomy, which is created by Shonda Rhimes, has gone on to become one of the network's most consistently popular shows. The medical drama just recently concluded its 18th season, continuing the story of Dr. Meredith Grey (Pompeo) and the group of doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Despite continued popularity, it has long been rumored that Pompeo's time on the show could be coming to an end. Talk of Pompeo's departure has resulted in many postulating that season 19 of Grey's Anatomy could be its last, although this hasn't been confirmed one way or another. Having now been on the air for close to 20 years, a number of cast members have come and gone over the course of Grey's Anatomy's 18 seasons, with previous stars including Sandra Oh, Greg Germann, Giacomo Gianniotti, Katherine Heigl, Sara Ramirez, Eric Dane, and Williams, who left the show last year.

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In a new interview with Access Hollywood (via Digital Spy), Williams discusses whether Grey's Anatomy can survive with Pompeo, expressing that it's "unlikely." Williams explains that Pompeo is very much the heart of the show and, without her, it wouldn't really be the same show anymore. Check out Williams' full comment below:

"I don't know, it would be a different show, she's the heart of that show, she's Grey, so unlikely. But again, I don't work there anymore so it doesn't matter what I think."

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in Grey's Anatomy season 18

A central question of Grey's Anatomy season 18 was whether Dr. Grey would stay at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, with the finale ultimately revealing the character's decision to stay in Seattle. While this is good news for Grey's Anatomy fans hoping to see more of Pompeo's character in season 19, it doesn't necessarily lay to rest whether the star will be leaving the show in the future. It's unclear if Grey's Anatomy will continue beyond its 19th season but it's clear that, if the show were to push on without Pompeo, Williams doesn't think it would work.

There aren't many original cast members left on Grey's Anatomy and, without its titular character, it does seem unlikely that the show would be able to please fans. Despite having now run for 18 seasons, the show continues to present interesting new dilemmas for Grey to deal with and Pompeo's performance and charisma remain high points of the series. It remains to be seen whether Grey's Anatomy will end with season 19 or if it will continue beyond that potentially without its star, but at least one former series regular doesn't have much hope for a version of the series that doesn't include Pompeo, a sentiment likely to be shared by longtime fans of the show.

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Source: Access Hollywood (via Digital Spy)