Ellen Pompeo Staying At Grey’s Anatomy For Two More Years

Ellen Pompeo, who plays Dr Meredith Grey in the ABC hospital drama Grey’s Anatomy, just signed a new two year contract to remain with the show a while longer. Patrick Dempsey, who plays the smooth Dr. Derek Shepherd, also signed up for another two years.

The pair have been with the show since it began back in 2005, and the new contract signing means they’ll be sticking around at least till the end of Season 12. Unfortunately, they won’t be joined by Sandra Oh, who announced in August of last year that she was leaving the show after the 10th Season.

Even though she has left Grey’s Anatomy, Lee said to reporters at the TCS Press Tour that she expects the show to continue, and to go from strength-to-strength. She extolled the virtues of Executive Producer Shonda Ehimes:

“Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest writers that our generation has seen. She’s continuing to write an immensely powerful show. It makes you laugh and cry every week, and what season are we now? And by the way, to her enormous credit, it is completely different than Scandal. And I love it. I think it’s going to stay on the network for many years to come.”

When reporters asked Lee if any more departures were expected from Grey‘s, she answered ambiguously: “We don’t have anything to say about that.”

Shonda Rhimes spoke to E! News about her hope that the show will continue for a while: “I see the show going as long as I continue to be interested in the show,” she said. Rhimes also spoke about the show back in August when Lee announced she was leaving: “And then I don’t know about the network, because they might see it going after me. But as I see it, as long as I’m interested and have stories to tell, I’m excited about being there.”