Ellen Pompeo Talks About Why She Can’t Fully Step Away From Grey’s Anatomy

Ellen Pompeo may have stepped away from starring in the long running “Grey’s Anatomy” but she can’t completely stay away.

The actress sat down with El Pais to talk about her new show, “Good American Family,” only to inevitably discuss the show that defines her career.

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Pompeo puts her reasoning plain and simple: “That would make no sense, emotionally or financially.”

The actress is also a producer on the show that was the most streamed show of 2024, second only to Australian children’s cartoon “Bluey.” While she doesn’t appear in any episodes of the show anymore, Pompeo provides narration as Meredith Grey.

“The companies that own the show and stream the show make a lot of money from our images and our voices and our faces,” Pompeo said. “If I were to walk away completely, everybody gets to make money from my hard work for 20 years and I wouldn’t make any money.” 

“Grey’s Anatomy” is currently in its 21st season and averages roughly 2.2 million viewers per episode. 

“To me, it doesn’t make any sense that everybody [else] gets to profit off of my hard work,” Pompeo continued. “And emotionally, the show means a lot to people. I want to have an attitude of gratitude toward the show.”

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Pompeo won’t move on due to potential financial loss but she does want to move on from the character of Meredith Grey. She also has no interest in doing another broadcast show due to season length commitments. 

However, she does think it’s possible for her to find something exciting and new – even as she ages gracefully in the entertainment industry.

“When you’re really young in Hollywood, you’re hired for your talent, but also for your beauty,” Pompeo adds. “They’re not hiring you for your beauty at 50 years old, they’re hiring you for your complexity and your talent alone. Certainly, women are more complex and interesting as they get older, and so are the roles.”

“Good American Family” currently airs on Hulu. Based on the story of Natalia Grace, the show follows a couple that adopts a child with dwarfism who is not who she seems. The eight episode limited series also stars Mark Duplass and Imogen Faith Reed. 

Meanwhile, “Grey’s Anatomy” was renewed for an 18 episode 22nd season on ABC.

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