Ellen Pompeo Says Leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Makes No Sense, Everyone Else Would Profit Off My Work Except Me

For nearly two decades, Ellen Pompeo has been the beating heart of Grey’s Anatomy. As Dr. Meredith Grey, she has led one of the most successful medical dramas in TV history — and despite her reduced screen time in recent years, she’s not ready to walk away.

And her reason?
It’s both emotional and financially practical.

📺 A Billion Streams — And a Legacy Still Growing
In a recent interview with El País, Pompeo opened up about her decision to stay connected to the show that made her a global star:

“That would make no sense, emotionally or financially,” she said.
“The show was streamed more than a billion times in 2024. More than a billion times.”

She pointed out that the companies who own and stream Grey’s Anatomy continue to profit from the actors’ work — and if she stepped away completely, she wouldn’t benefit from what she helped build.

“If I were to walk away, everybody else gets to make money from my hard work — and I wouldn’t. That doesn’t make sense to me.”

❤️ It’s More Than Business — It’s Gratitude
Pompeo also emphasized the emotional side of her connection to Grey’s Anatomy:

“This show means a lot to people. And I want to always keep an attitude of gratitude toward the show.”

As fans continue to stream past episodes and watch new ones unfold, Ellen’s ongoing presence — even in a smaller role — remains deeply appreciated by longtime viewers.

📅 21 Seasons and Still Going Strong
Created by Shonda Rhimes, Grey’s Anatomy first aired in 2005 and has now surpassed 444 episodes as of April 10, 2025.
Now in its 21st season, the show has seen an ever-evolving cast, including names like Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers, and Jesse Williams — but Pompeo remains the heart of its legacy.

🎬 What’s Next for Ellen? A New Chapter on Hulu
While she’s staying loyal to Grey’s Anatomy, Pompeo is also branching out.
She recently took on a role in the Hulu limited series “Good American Family”, exploring a completely different character.

“This is a limited series, so I won’t return as this character,” she shared.
“I was just looking for something that was very different from Meredith Grey, and this came along.”