Ellen Pompeo Signs New Deal as ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Gets Renewed for S18

Grey’s Anatomy has officially been renewed for Season 18, with lead actress Ellen Pompeo reprising her role to play Meredith Grey for an additional year. ABC’s medical drama series is known to be one of the longest-running primetime series for almost two decades.

Now, as per ABC, Grey’s Anatomy will be back for another season following Pompeo’s contract renewal. The show’s fame has also made Pompeo one of the highest-paid actresses on television in the US.

Spinoff series Station 19 was renewed for Season 5 on ABC as well, and both shows will continue to be overlooked by showrunner Krista Vernoff.

This comes after Vernoff revealed back in March that the series could end following Season 17. But considering recent reports which show that along with Station 19, Grey’s remains ABC’s most-watched scripted series, it seems like a good idea to continue for another installment.

Although the news comes as a delight to fans, it doesn’t necessarily assure a long-time future for Grey’s Anatomy. Pompeo’s renewed contract apparently doesn’t guarantee more than the additional season, which means that Season 18 could be the last.

The actress has previously discussed the current season being the show’s last, so the series ending in the near future does seem very certain. But no matter how long it remains on air, Grey’s Anatomy has carved its place as one of the most successful shows in contemporary television history. 

Created by Shonda Rhimes, the show has propelled Pompeo and many other cast members to stardom over the years. She has also stated that irrespective of being the force behind the show, Grey’s Anatomy will go on for as long as Pompeo chooses to stay involved.

The medical drama premiered in 2005 with an ensemble cast led by Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey, and Chandra Wilson.

Since then, it has gained a massive fan following for the show, along with many characters who appeared and departed (some in very gruesome ways—remember Craig Thomas’ heart attack in Season 7?), including beloved roles like Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd and Oh’s Cristina Yang. Furthermore, it was recently announced that Season 6 debutant Jesse Williams, who plays Dr. Jackson Avery, will be the next to leave after Season 17 concludes.

As heartbreaking as that could be, longtime viewers of the show are accustomed to its tradition by now. But, with perhaps some numbered days to count until the end of its era, Grey’s Anatomy will forever live through its story and devoted fanbase.

About Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy is an American medical drama TV series created by Shonda Rhimes for ABC Studios. One of the longest running primetime television series, the title is an allusion to the human anatomy textbook Gray’s Anatomy.

The ensemble cast includes Ellen Pompeo in the leading role along with Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers and many others.

It follows the lives of surgical interns, residents and attendings and their progression into becoming professional doctors while juggling their interpersonal relationships.