Ellen Pompeo teases this may be the end of Grey’s Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo has hinted that Grey’s Anatomy season 17 may be the beginning of the end for the long-running medical drama.

The actress, who plays Dr Meredith Grey in the ABC series, teased that the show might not be returning for an 18^th chapter.

‘I can’t say,’ Ellen said, in response to being asked whether bosses will pull the plug. ‘We honestly have not decided. We’re really trying to figure it out right now.’

‘You’re in the middle of deciding whether it ends or doesn’t?’ CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Tracy Smith probed.

‘Yes,’ Ellen replied. ‘What story do we tell? To end a show this iconic… how do we do it?

‘I just wanna make sure we do this character and this show and the fans… I wanna make sure we do it right.’

This isn’t the first time Ellen has suggested that Grey’s Anatomy will soon be put to bed.

Speaking to Variety alongside her colleagues Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, and Krista Vernoff in October, the actress said: ‘We don’t know when the show is really ending yet. But the truth is, this year could be it.

‘I’m constantly fighting for the show as a whole to be as good as it can be. As a producer, I feel like I have permission to be able to do that.

‘I mean, this is the last year of my contract right now. I don’t know that this is the last year, but it could very well could be.’

Grey’s Anatomy has been a fan-favourite ever since it debuted in 2005 and has racked up countless awards.

Elsewhere in her interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Ellen confessed her fight to become one of TV’s highest-paid stars ‘wasn’t easy’.

‘I had a very specific number that I can see what Grey’s Anatomy has generated,’ she revealed.

‘I can see exactly how much that show makes for one of the biggest corporations in the world.’

In 2018, it was reported that Ellen, 51, earns $575,000 (£419,000) per episode, taking home more than $20 million (£14.6 million) per year.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.