Grey's Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo teases that she might be returning to the series in future episodes. Pompeo has been starring on the long-running medical drama since its debut in 2005 and is one of three original cast members remaining, alongside James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber and Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey. However, before the current season - Grey's Anatomy season 19 - aired, it was announced that Pompeo would only be returning in a limited capacity, and a recent trailer teased that Meredith will be leaving Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in the next episode when the season returns on February 23, 2023.
On her official Instagram account, Pompeo recently shared a post celebrating her time as Meredith on Grey's Anatomy. The image depicts the star posing in front of a neon sign reading "All You Need Is Love" and her caption is a celebration of her time on the series. In addition to thanking longtime fans for their love and support, she addresses her impending departure, implying that it may not last forever by saying, "This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you know the show must go on and I’ll definitely be back to visit." Check out the post below:
Everything We Know About Ellen Pompeo's Grey's Anatomy Future
After 19 seasons and 406 episodes, it makes sense that Pompeo would want to pursue work outside of the universe of the series. However, in addition to whatever roles she takes on next, Pompeo will be remaining on Grey's Anatomy in a few different capacities. First, she will continue on as an executive producer on the show, a role she has assumed since 2017. She will also continue to narrate the series, making sure that the show's inimitable voice remains the same even if Meredith isn't onscreen.
Pompeo's tease that she will come back to visit makes perfect sense considering how inextricably linked both her past and her future are with the series. However, she will now be allowed to come back to the show on her own terms in a more limited "special guest star" capacity. There have only been two projects since 2005 where she has played a character other than Meredith Grey (including an appearance in cameo-loving pop artist Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood" music video in 2015), so she will likely take some time off before returning to the series.
How Meredith Grey Might Be Able to Return in Future Episodes
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One convenient element of Meredith's departure from Grey's Anatomy is that it is indeed far from final. Whereas some characters leave Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in disgrace or are killed off of the series, Meredith is merely relocating so her gifted daughter can go to a school that supports her the way she needs. This means that, should Pompeo be up for returning on camera, there are quite a few ways to justify her returning to the hospital, either to help the remaining doctors with some seemingly insurmountable medical issue or merely visiting friends for a special occasion like a birthday or one of Grey's Anatomy's many weddings.
Source: Ellen Pompeo/Instagram