Warning! Spoilers ahead for Grey’s Anatomy season 19 episode 7.Grey’s Anatomy season 19, episode 7, the winter premiere, was notable for being advertised as Ellen Pompeo’s last episode as Meredith Grey, but it wasn’t actually her last Grey’s Anatomy episode. Grey’s Anatomy’s 19 seasons have, until now, followed Meredith throughout her career as a general surgeon at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital along with her fellow doctors, many of whom she formed close relationships with. Meredith leaving for Boston marks the end of an era for Grey’s Anatomy.
Meredith’s last Grey’s Anatomy episode wasn’t well-received by longtime viewers of the medical drama, so it may provide some relief to know that it wasn’t actually her last episode. Pompeo has led Grey’s Anatomy since its premiere in 2005, has served as an executive producer since 2017, and even directed two Grey’s Anatomy episodes. In many ways, Pompeo has become synonymous with Grey’s Anatomy, though she is moving on to have her first starring role since Grey’s Anatomy in Hulu’s upcoming untitled Orphan limited series.
Ellen Pompeo Signed On For 8 Episodes For Season 19
Ahead of the Grey’s Anatomy season 19 premiere, it was announced that Pompeo would have a reduced role, appearing in only eight episodes as Meredith out of the 22-episode season. Season 19, episode 7 was billed as Pompeo’s last episode, but she still has one more episode to appear in this season, meaning Meredith will return in Grey’s Anatomy season 19. It wasn’t until the hiatus between season 19, episode 6, which aired in November 2022, and the season 19 winter premiere in February that Pompeo announced she’d no longer be a series regular on Grey’s Anatomy.
With Meredith deciding to move to Boston in the Grey’s Anatomy season 19 fall finale, it wasn’t a surprise that Pompeo was stepping away from the series. The end of the winter premiere saw Meredith and her three children flying to Boston and leaving their home in Seattle and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in the past. However, it won’t be the last time viewers see Meredith, wherever that may be, as Pompeo is still set to appear in one more episode.
Ellen Pompeo Will Return For The Season 19 Finale
Pompeo’s is set to return to Grey's Anatomy in the season 19 finale on May 26. It makes the most sense that it will be the Grey’s Anatomy season 19 finale. The season 6 finale is Grey’s Anatomy’s highest-rated episode to date, and the series is known for explosive and shocking finales. Meredith returning in some capacity would definitely make it a memorable, must-see finale. It could also mean the return of other characters in Boston, such as Jackson, April, Koracick, and Catherine. Grey’s Anatomy season 19, episode 7 may have been Meredith’s farewell episode, but the season 19 finale will likely be Pompeo’s true final appearance.