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Grey's Anatomy needs to end if this one original actor ever chooses to leave

Grey's Anatomy has been around for so long, but if this one OG actor decides to depart the series, it's time for the show to finally wrap up.
ByCrystal George|
GREY'S ANATOMY - ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" stars Chris Carmack as Dr. Atticus Lincoln, Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda, Niko Terho as Lucas Adams, Alexis Floyd as Simone Griffith, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Scott Speedman as Nick Marsh, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, Kelly McCreary as Maggie Pierce, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu, etc.
GREY'S ANATOMY - ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" stars Chris Carmack as Dr. Atticus Lincoln, Midori Francis as Mika Yasuda, Niko Terho as Lucas Adams, Alexis Floyd as Simone Griffith, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt, Kim Raver as Teddy Altman, Debbie Allen as Catherine Fox, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Scott Speedman as Nick Marsh, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, Kelly McCreary as Maggie Pierce, Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd, Anthony Hill as Winston Ndugu, etc. | ABC

For two decades, Grey’s Anatomy has been more than just a medical drama. It’s been a cultural phenomenon. A place where fans have laughed, cried, and grown alongside an unforgettable cast of characters. Over the seasons, we've seen the departure of many original cast members, including Katherine Heigl, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers, Patrick Dempsey, and many others.

Fans have felt the sting of loss with each exit, yet the show has managed to endure, largely thanks to one original actor whose presence has been the heart and soul of Grey’s Anatomy. If you're a faithful Grey's watcher, I'm sure you already know who I'm talking about. It's none other than Ellen Pompeo, who stars as Meredith Grey.

We're talking about the complex, resilient, and deeply human protagonist who has carried the show through its highs and lows. The woman whose journey from a vulnerable surgical intern navigating the chaos of Seattle Grace Hospital to a seasoned surgeon and compassionate leader has been the emotional anchor of the series. While the new characters bring fresh energy and exciting storylines to the show, it's Meredith who continues to tie the series together. There simply would be no Grey's Anatomy without her.

I mean, just imagine that. It’s hard to picture the show continuing without the character who’s been at its core from day one. Who would narrate the series, and give us that familiar, comforting voice that has become synonymous with Grey’s Anatomy? Meredith's story is the backbone of the series, and she's the reason why so many fans have stayed loyal even after so many other medical dramas have come and gone.

Sure, watching all those other OG cast members depart was a tough pill to swallow. But I wouldn't be able to take the show losing Pompeo. Without her, Grey’s Anatomy just wouldn’t be the same. It's already been hard enough with her reduced role in seasons 19-21. Losing her completely would leave a void that no new character could ever truly fill, and if it ever came to that point, Shonda Rhimes and ABC might as well call it a day and bring the curtain down on the series. Because at its core, Grey’s Anatomy has always been Meredith Grey’s story, and without her, there’s simply no story left to tell.

Fortunately, it doesn't look like Pompeo will be leaving anytime soon, as she remains deeply committed to both the character of Meredith Grey and the legacy of the show. She said this much in an April 2025 interview with El País.

Although not confirmed, Pompeo is expected to return for Grey's Anatomy season 22. The new season will begin airing on ABC in the fall. Stay tuned to GeekSided for the official premiere date.

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