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Ellen Pompeo explains why she never quit Grey's Anatomy in 14 years

Photo credit: Mitch Haaseth - ABC
Photo credit: Mitch Haaseth - ABC

From Digital Spy

When Grey's Anatomy first premiered in 2005, not many would have predicted that 14 years later it would still be on the air.

The ABC medical drama, now in the middle of its 15th season, continues to be a massive show. In fact, it's about to break ER's record for the longest-running US primetime medical drama with its 332nd episode this week.

While many stars have made the decision to leave over the course of the 15 seasons including Sandra Oh, Chyler Leigh, TR Knight, and Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo herself (who plays Dr Meredith Grey) has remained with the show.

Photo credit: Mitch Haaseth - ABC
Photo credit: Mitch Haaseth - ABC

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Pompeo explained why she has ultimately decided against quitting despite thinking about her future on multiple occasions.

"You can't ignore the worldwide phenomenon that this show is," she said. "How do you walk away or ignore that?

"Being the face and voice of something that can generate that much money, there's only a very small number of people who can say that they have achieved that. If you're lucky enough to be the face and voice of something that's generated billions of dollars for a network.

"That's something to be proud of."

Photo credit: Eric McCandless - ABC
Photo credit: Eric McCandless - ABC

Pompeo is signed on until the end of next season, and she recently shared that she is uncertain at this stage if she will continue into a 17th season.

"I like my situation here," she said last month. "As much as the idea of something new appeals to me... the truth is, I have three kids. I don't really want to travel and leave [them]. I don't want to be a circus traveller and live in hotels.

"And the network and studio continue to incentivise me and just make me offers that I can't refuse."

Grey's Anatomy continues Thursdays on ABC in the US. It airs on Sky Witness and NOW TV in the UK.


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