Across 19 seasons, we have followed the highs and lows of the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital but now only three original characters remain and the primary focus remains our eponymous protagonist, Dr Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo.<\/p>\n
Of course, Grey\u2019s has always been an ensemble full of beloved figures but Meredith is the voice of the show, the constant presence, the anchor to the stories.<\/p>\n
Despite not always being the most likeable, Meredith\u2019s balance between stern and warm has always made her a riveting protagonist. Despite her brilliance in the medical field, Meredith has struggled across her life.<\/p>\n
Having had to face a dark family backstory, a troubled on-off romance with Dr Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), widowhood, single motherhood and the endless departures of friends and loved ones, it has been Meredith\u2019s ability to carry on and show such powerful endurance that has earned her and the show the love of millions.<\/p>
In fact, one of the most riveting seasons of the show did not come until its 12th run, following the departure of Dempsey and Sandra Oh as Meredith\u2019s \u201cperson\u201d Dr Christina Yang, as we watched Meredith carve out a new identity for herself as a widow and without her best friend \u2013 who was this complicated professional woman now without these loved ones to help sure up her identity?<\/p>\n
As such, as Meredith has evolved over the years, her journey has remained the vital beating heart of Grey\u2019s, despite the numerous riveting romances and startling medical crises that have arisen.<\/p>\n
As such, for the series to continue without said beating heart just feels like one departure too many.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve lost some iconic characters over the years played by some beloved stars, but none would be so keenly felt as losing the show\u2019s leading lady. There are multiple entertaining and impressive characters still in the series \u2013 including fellow original characters Dr Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) and Dr Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr) \u2013 but taking the show so far away from its key protagonist just feels like a step too far.<\/p>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/1664880002-6739292.jpg?quality=90&crop=16px%2C0px%2C2967px%2C1977px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Pompeo has had time out from the part somewhat before, having a reduced role when she needed to take maternity leave in the show\u2019s fifth season and then had a reduced presence in the COVID-19-focused 17th season, but never to the extent being touted now.<\/p>\n
What seemed like a temporary departure before a full-time return for Pompeo now seems like a full-time departure with temporary \u201cguest\u201d visits down the line.<\/p>\n
Taking to\u00a0Instagram<\/a> following the airing of the winter finale in the US, Pompeo penned: \u201cI am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons!<\/p>\n \u201cThrough it all\u2026.none of it \u2026would 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!!\u201d<\/p>\n Pompeo carried on: \u201cI love you madly and appreciate you right back. This isn\u2019t your first time on the rollercoaster\u2026 you know the show must go on and I\u2019ll definitely be back to visit. With a lot of love and immense gratitude XoE [prayer-hands emoji, red heart emoji]\u201d.<\/p>\n Sounds like a goodbye to me!<\/p>\n Perhaps there is room for other spin-offs to continue the story of these characters (the show previously had the Addison Montgomery-focused Private Practice and still has firefighter drama Station 19), but shows that have tried to continue without their central protagonist as the key focus rarely work out too great \u2013 take fellow medical series Scrubs as an example.<\/p>\n Of course, the series remains an audience winner for network ABC, but for many fans, the end goal of Grey\u2019s Anatomy always appeared to be an emotional resolution to Meredith\u2019s story, aside from everything else, and if we are getting it now then why continue beyond it?<\/p>\n If Meredith is really stepping away from Grey\u2019s Anatomy for good, then it would be the polite thing to call a time of death on the show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Grey\u2019s Anatomy seasons 1 to 19 are available to stream on Disney Plus <\/strong>now\u00a0\u2013\u00a0sign up to Disney+ for \u00a37.99 a month or \u00a379.90 a year<\/a> now.<\/strong><\/p>\n Check out more of our\u00a0<\/strong>Drama<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0coverage or visit our\u00a0<\/strong>TV Guide<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to see what\u2019s on tonight.<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/02\/1664880005-7d5bef7.jpg?quality=90&crop=355px%2C0px%2C2534px%2C1688px&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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