Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith Grey in “Grey’s Anatomy”, is leaving the show after 19 seasons.
On Thursday, Pompeo said her farewells on Instagram, where she shared a warm message thanking the show’s devout fanbase for their support.
“I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons!” wrote Pompeo, 53. “Through it all….none of it …would have been possible without the best fans in the world. You all are RIDERS and you all have made the ride so fun and ICONIC!!”
She added, “I love you madly and appreciate you right back. This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you know the show must go on.”
Pompeo hinted that viewers may even see Meredith Grey again in the future. She said she would “definitely be back to visit” the Grey’s Anatomy hospital.
Series creator Shonda Rhimes also shared a sentimental post about Pompeo on social media.
“What a wild ride these past 19 seasons have been. None of it could have been possible without the incomparable @ellenpompeo, the one and only Meredith Grey,” she shared on Instagram alongside a selfie of her with Pompeo.
News of Pompeo’s departure from the TV show was announced in August. She reportedly left the production to pursue other opportunities, including a Hulu limited series adaption of the 2009 psychological thriller “Orphan.”
Meredith’s storyline (so far) ended with her character’s decision to leave Seattle for Boston, where she accepted a position with the Catherine Fox Foundation to research Alzheimer’s disease. There have been far more dramatic (and tragic) exits on the series — and Meredith’s new job certainly leaves the door open to guest appearances.
