ABC isn’t ready to let go of its hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy‘s just yet. The network recently started making plans to renew the series for Season 19, which included early talks with star Ellen Pompeo in an attempt to convince her to extend her run as Meredith Grey.
The network’s plans for Grey’s Anatomy are greatly dependent on Pompeo agreeing to return, considering she has been the only constant for the show through the years and also serves as a producer. The situation is trickier than it has been in the past as Pompeo mentioned in recent years that she feel the series should end soon.
And according to her recent interview with INSIDER, Pompeo feels even stronger about this now. “I’ve been trying to focus on convincing everybody that it should end,” she told the magazine.
Pompeo signed her most recent contract back in May but committed to appearing just in Season 18. Pompeo’s co-stars Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. both opted to ink multi-year deals. Wilson and Pickens Jr. are the only other remaining members of the original cast.
ABC’s wish to continue riding the Grey’s Anatomy wave isn’t surprising considering that the series continues to be its highest-rated scripted program even in its 18th season. The new episodes premiered in September, with more than six million viewers tuning in for each episode on average.
