When Grey’s Anatomy’s season 19 returns in February, fans will see Meredith Grey’s (played by Ellen Pompeo) highly anticipated yet dreaded exit take place. Ahead of its release bosses provided insight into the episode with a first-look image.
After making her first appearance in the series in 2005, Ellen Pompeo will be saying goodbye to the hit medical drama.
This came as a huge surprise to fans as the titular character has become a fundamental part of the series for 19 years.
After the character confirmed her departure from Grey Sloan hospital in the mid-season finale, fans were eager to discover how Ellen’s final episode as Meredith would unfold.
Thankfully, the show has unveiled a first-look image which pictured Meredith having a deep conversation with her new intern Simone (Alexis Floyd).
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The two leaned against a railing and looked down at the hospital as they appeared to have a heart-to-heart chat.
After her home was destroyed in a fire, Meredith decided to trade Seattle for a fresh start in Boston.
Although the move was for her daughter Zola Shepherd’s (Aniela Gumbs) sake, Meredith would remain in the healthcare profession.
This comes after she accepted Jackson Avery’s (Jesse Williams) job offer in Alzheimer’s research.
Addressing her exit, Ellen disclosed: “I’m 53, my brain is like scrambled eggs… I gotta do something new or I’m literally gonna turn into like, you can’t do the New York Times crossword puzzle every single day.”
Speaking on the Drew Barrymore Show, she continued: “I mean 19 years – that’s more than people keep their kids in their house.
“Like people keep their kids in their house until they’re 18 and then they send them off to college, so this is like me like going away to college.”
Despite her reasoning, fans were devastated to learn of her departure, which Ellen confirmed on social media.
She wrote: “I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons,” she wrote.
“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!! I love you madly and appreciate you right back.”
Ellen added: “This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you know the show must go on and I’ll definitely be back to visit. With a lot of love and immense gratitude XoE”
Grey’s Anatomy season 19 returns to ABC in the US on Thursday, February 23 and Disney+ in the UK.