The medical drama series Grey’s Anatomy, audiences had to finally say goodbye to Ellen Pompeo’s Doctor Meredith Grey, who left the show after being a series regular all through its run. Building to the second half of Season 19 that saw Pompeo’s departure, Season 19’s mid-season finale, saw Meredith email Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital to announce her departure.
In the past few years, Dr. Grey had been through a lot, including losing her home to a fire. Now she’s ready to move on and start a new chapter in her life. However, it would seem that the farewell might not be final.
Ellen Pompeo Hints at Possible Return with Meredith Grey
“It’s a little bit of trickery because I’m not completely gone. Actually, the storyline is very cool. There’s a lot of real research that’s changing very rapidly about Alzheimer’s disease and about what they believe is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. It’s pretty controversial. So Meredith’s character left to go to Boston because her daughter needed to go to a special school. I will be making some appearances hopefully next year, if I can find some time.”
The interview was a Grey’s Anatomy reunion of sorts with Katherine Heigl, who played fan-favorite Isobel Stevens in the early seasons of the series before departing halfway through the sixth season. On Meredith’s departure from the series, Heigl inquires
“So we don’t have to completely say goodbye.” To this Pompeo answers, “No, it’s not a complete goodbye. And I think we’ve got an interesting story to tell.”
Given that Meredith was one of the protagonists of the show, and given that the show could continue further, cutting her out altogether might bother some fans. While her role in the story might not be focal anymore, a minimal presence could still be key.
Next Steps for Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital
In what can be considered stellar news for fans of the show, ABC has officially renewed Grey’s Anatomy, the network’s longest-running prime-time scripted series, for a 20th season. Despite Ellen Pompeo’s exit at least for the moment, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital will be accepting patients. The series has in recent times been shifting focus to new interns who might take up the torch of series regulars if the show persists. Season 20 will also see Meg Marinis replace Krista Vernoff as showrunner.
Meredith Grey’s journey on Grey’s Anatomy has been filled with triumphs, tragedies, and personal growth. From her early days as an intern to becoming a skilled surgeon and the head of general surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Meredith has faced numerous challenges. Her departure from the show in Season 19 left fans wondering about the future of the series and the impact it would have on the beloved character’s story.
However, Ellen Pompeo’s revelation that Meredith could make guest appearances in Season 20 brings a glimmer of hope to fans. The actress hinted at an intriguing storyline involving Alzheimer’s disease, a topic that is currently the subject of groundbreaking research. This suggests that Meredith’s return will not only be a nostalgic callback but also an opportunity to explore important medical advancements.
