Ellen Pompeo reveals she will return for 'Grey's Anatomy' season 17

"Grey's Anatomy" star Ellen Pompeo says doesn't have an end date for her stay on popular medical drama in mind, but she is signed on to come back for ar season. In 2018, actor, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey on long-running show, inked a new two-year contract with ABC Studios for seasons 15 and 16.

season 16 of "Grey's Anatomy" was cut short due to coronavirus pandemic and wrapped up with its episode 21, which aired on April 9. In an interview with Variety's 'After Show', Pompeo was asked if she had an end date in mind.

She replied, "I've signed on for one more season is all I can say." 50-year-old actor, who turned director on show's 13th season, said she doesn't kw where Meredith goes in final episode of "Grey's Anatomy".

"I have expectations and that's how I survive." Asked if she had an im of her final scene, Pompeo said, "t final scene. final episode I did, but I can't really tell you because n I'll have to kill you. (Showrunner) Krista (Verff) and I talked about potential things." 

Besides being hit by pandemic, 16th season will perhaps be most remembered for exit of one of show's original regulars Justin Chambers, who played Dr Alex Karev on show. 

Pompeo, who earlier said she was "heartbroken" by news, said it was a "beautifully done" episode. " writers did a fantastic job... I'm happy with way it ended because I think that Alex going back to be with Izzie (Stevens, portrayed by Karine Heigl) is an hom to those first days of that show. first six seasons, with that original cast, are just fantastic," she added.