Will Grey's Anatomy Return for Season 17? Ellen Pompeo Says...

Ellen Pompeo Isn't Ready to Say Goodbye to Grey's Anatomy Just Yet

Grey's Anatomy fans have been holding onto their hats ever since Ellen Pompeo admitted that it was about time to hang up Meredith Grey's scrubs once her contract expired after season 16.

This would mean an end to the hit Shondaland medical drama, as Pompeo and showrunner Shonda Rhimes have formed a pact that Grey's Anatomy would be canceled once Pompeo decides to stop.

However, it looks like Grey's fans can let out a sigh of relief. At least for one more year.

In an interview with TVLine, Pompeo revealed that she will stop doing Grey's once ratings go down.

However, ratings haven't gone down.

"I keep saying, ‘I'm ready to move on and I want to stop the show before the ratings go down,' but the ratings never go down. They go down a little bit, but the fact that we are able to hold our [title as ABC's No. 1 series] is kind of [incredible]," Pompeo said. "It's very cool to have these kind of ratings and be on a hit network show in this [Peak TV] landscape."

The ratings might be keeping her on the show, but Pompeo also admitted that she has a good thing going with the Grey's team.

"It's a pretty nice place to work," Pompeo said. "I like my situation here. As much as the idea of something new appeals to me… the truth is I have three kids. I don't really want to travel and leave [them]. I don't want to be a circus traveller and live in hotels. And the network and studio continue to incentivize me and just make me offers that I can't refuse."

That being said, Pompeo also understands exactly what her departure would mean for Grey's Anatomy as well as everyone who is involved.

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about how many people have stable jobs [at Grey's]," Pompeo said. "In this town you don't get a lot of 24-episodes-a-season shows. So the fact that this crew gets to film 24 episodes – that's 10 months of work – and they get to stay in LA [is remarkable]."

While this all sounds like fantastic news to Grey's fans everywhere, no official statement has been released in regards to the potential of season 17 of Grey's Anatomy in 2020. So, as of now, Pompeo remains undecided in regards to the future on the show.

"I'm contracted through Season 16," Pompeo said. "And beyond that… I don't really know. I take it day-by-day."

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