Grey’s Anatomy season 22 gets a new update that confirms how many episodes Ellen Pompeo will return for. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the hit medical drama first aired on ABC in 2005, introducing Pompeo as doctor Meredith Grey. 20 years later, the series is still going strong, but Pompeo, who also serves as an executive producer, is no longer a series regular on-screen. Pompeo recently returned as Meredith for season 21, and it has been reported that she will return in some capacity for the announced Grey’s Anatomy season 22, which doesn’t yet have a release date.
During a recent interview with Variety, Pompeo confirms that she has been contracted to appear in seven episodes of Grey’s Anatomy season 22. This on-screen return will accompany her continued role as an executive producer and as the narrator for each episode. Pompeo also addresses the show’s potential ending, admitting that it’s now out of her hands. Check out her comment below:
“It’s not like if I leave the show completely, they’re going to stop the show. The show is still massively successful.”
What This Means For Grey’s Anatomy Season 22
Pompeo Will Be Joined By Other Returning Cast Members
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith in Grey’s Anatomy season 21, episode 11
Grey’s Anatomy was only just renewed for season 22 at the beginning of April, so official information about the new episodes remains relatively limited. When Deadline reported the news several weeks ago, it noted that the new season is expected to consist of 18 episodes, the same number as were featured in season 21. The publication also reported that many longstanding cast members are expected to return, including Chandra Wilson (Bailey), Kim Raver (Teddy), Camilla Luddington (Jo), James Pickens Jr. (Richard) Kevin McKidd (Owen), and Caterina Scorsone (Amelia).
Pompeo, then, will likely be joined by a number of other familiar faces in the Grey’s Anatony cast in her seven episodes of season 22. How Meredith will factor into the story moving forward remains a question mark, but season 21 does provide some hints about what’s to come. The latest batch of episodes explored Meredith’s Alzheimer’s research and her butting heads with Catherine (Debbie Allen), and this storyline could continue into season 22 as Meredith potentially contends with issues relating to the funding of this research.
Even though, starting with Grey’s Anatomy season 19, Meredith no longer appears in every single episode, her presence still looms large over the show. The fact that Pompeo remains on as a narrator, for example, helps the character to remain top-of-mind for viewers. Meredith has been and remains a key part of the show’s DNA. After season 21 used Meredith effectively across seven episodes, there’s certainly reason to be optimistic that season 22 will once again make the most of Pompeo’s screen time.
What is especially exciting about Meredith’s continued presence in Grey’s Anatomy is that she has her own important storylines instead of popping up only to serve others. Meredith’s Alzheimer’s research, after all, is the continuation of a multi-season story thread. It remains to be seen how Meredith will factor into the story for Grey’s Anatony season 22, but audiences evidently have seven episodes in particular to look forward to.
