Ellen Pompeo, the iconic actress behind Meredith Grey, believes the long-running medical drama “Grey’s Anatomy” will continue indefinitely. During a recent appearance on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” Pompeo made a bold prediction about the show’s longevity as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
“I think for sure, yeah. I don’t think that show will ever end. I don’t know,” Pompeo stated with a laugh during the April 2 interview. The actress, who stepped back from her role as a series regular in February 2023, reassured fans that she’ll continue to make occasional appearances on the ABC hit.
“I’ll always pop in and out. That’s my home and I don’t think (my co-star, Debbie Allen) will let me ever leave completely,” she explained, according to Today.com. This commitment to occasional returns comes after Pompeo’s character relocated to Boston during the Season 19 midseason finale.
Two Decades of Medical Drama
Reflecting on the show’s remarkable 20-year run, Pompeo credited the passionate fanbase for its enduring success. “They keep it alive. It’s their show really. They’ve taken it over,” she acknowledged during her conversation with Hudson.
The actress admitted she never anticipated the show’s extraordinary longevity when she first took on the role of Meredith Grey in 2005. From its humble beginnings, “Grey’s Anatomy” has evolved into one of television’s most enduring dramas, continuously reinventing itself through cast changes and evolving storylines.
Pompeo’s reduced role began after Variety reported in 2022 that she would only appear in eight episodes of Season 19. Despite stepping back, she continues to provide voiceovers and serves as an executive producer for the series.
Ellen Pompeo says her oldest daughter started watching 'Grey's Anatomy,' but quit after the death of T.R. Knight's George O' Malley: 'I just can't do it anymore.' https://t.co/naAZ8dhrnn
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) April 2, 2025
Family Perspectives on the Show
During the same interview, Pompeo revealed fascinating insights about her family’s relationship with the hit show. When Hudson inquired about her husband Chris Ivery’s thoughts on her “steamy” love scenes, Pompeo quipped, “He doesn’t watch ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ That’s how I’ve been married so long.”
This revelation followed her previously shared story about her 15-year-old daughter Stella’s experience watching the series. After viewing “a few seasons” together, Stella abruptly stopped following George O’Malley’s heartbreaking death scene in the Season 5 finale.
“I think she had it, and a lot of people do, when they see 007,” Pompeo explained to Hudson, referencing the iconic moment when the character traced ‘007’ on Meredith’s palm to reveal his identity. “When they see that George O’Malley died they say, ‘I’m done, I just can’t do it anymore.’ So I think she made it as far as that.”
Balancing Parental Concerns
Pompeo also expressed surprise at the show’s popularity among younger viewers. “It gets to a point where they get to be, I don’t know, maybe 10 or 11 and all the classmates start watching it. And then she says, ‘Mommy can I watch it?’ And I can’t believe that sometimes 10 and 11 year olds watch the show because I know what was going on in those early years,” she told Hudson.
The actress previously shared with People magazine that her younger daughter Sienna, 10, has recently shown interest in the series. However, Pompeo remains hesitant about allowing her to watch due to mature content.
“I don’t want my daughter to see me in my underwear on television just yet. But all her classmates have. So, that makes for great conversation at pick-up,” she explained in a previous interview cited by Entertainment Weekly.
Legacy and Future
As “Grey’s Anatomy” continues its remarkable run with Season 20 currently airing, fans can take comfort in Pompeo’s prediction of the show’s unlimited future. Her occasional appearances, including a return in the Season 19 finale and glimpses in the Season 20 teaser, suggest Meredith Grey will remain connected to the series she helped build.
With its dedicated fanbase and ability to continuously evolve, “Grey’s Anatomy” seems positioned to potentially become one of television’s longest-running dramas, giving credence to Pompeo’s bold prediction about its endless future.
