Grey's Anatomy Finale confirms Ellen Pompeo's exit - but how will the show continue without Meredith?

The Grey's Anatomy Finale has confirmed Ellen Pompeo's exit as the nineteenth season comes to an end. But how will the series continue without the star? Here is what we know so far...

The Fall Finale for Grey's Anatomy season 19 aired on Thursday, November 10, and fans were shocked by the twists as it was revealed that Ellen Pompeo would be written out of the show after being the main member of the cast since 2005. If you missed the episode, here is everything you need to know, plus how the series will continue without Meredith Grey. 

How and when will Meredith grey leave the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital?

It was revealed in August that Ellen Pompeo was taking a step back in Grey's Anatomy Season 19. The actor is only set to appear in just eight of the expected 22-episode series. It was reported that she will still narrate many episodes following her departure, and will still be an executive producer on the ABC medical drama.

At present, six episodes of the series have aired and a further 16 are expected after the break in the Fall. But how will Meredith leave the show?

Ellen Pompeo, the actor who portrays Meredith Grey will be leaving the show when the second part of the series premieres in 2023. The promo for the show's return - set to take place on Thursday, February 23, 2023, confirms that Meredith will leave Grey Sloan in the first few episodes as she speaks about the 'big last day.'

The show is writing Meredith out by having her move to Boston after accepting a position with the Catherine Fox Foundation to research Alzheimer's disease, the disease that afflicted her mother and led to her death at the very beginning of the series.

How will Grey's Anatomy continue without Meredith Grey?

While Meredith Grey is leaving the show, there are many main characters who are still remaining at the Sloan Grey Memorial Hospital. 

The series will likely focus on other cast members such as, Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey, James Pickens Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber, Kevin McKidd as Dr. Owen Hunt, Caterina Scorsone as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, Camilla Luddington as Dr. Jo Wilson, Kelly McCreary as Dr. Maggie Pierce, Kim Raver as Dr. Teddy Altman,  Jake Borelli as Dr. Levi Schmitt, Chris Carmack as Dr. Atticus "Link" Lincoln, and Anthony Hill as Dr. Winston Ndugu.

A whole host of new actors have also joined the series, it is likely that these characters will be developed and their story lines will become more integral to the main plot of the show. 

The actors who joined in season 19 include, Alexis Floyd as Dr. Simone Griffith, Niko Terho as Dr. Lucas Adams, Midori Francis as Dr. Mika Yasuda, Adelaide Kane as Dr. Jules Millin, and Harry Shum Jr. as Dr. Benson "Blue" Kwan.