The lights are staying on at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
“Grey’s Anatomy” has been renewed for Season 19, ABC announced Monday, continuing the longest-running prime-time medical drama series in TV history.
“I couldn’t be more excited that we get to keep telling the stories of Meredith, Bailey, Richard and all of the other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial for another season,” creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement.
“This is a true testament to (showrunner) Krista Vernoff, the cast, the crew and all the writers who keep the audience on the edge of their seat week after week. And it would not be possible without the generations of incredible fans who have supported ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ for so many years.”
While the soapy medical drama remains one of the most-watched network shows, star Ellen Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey, has been vocal about shutting down after almost two decades in scrubs.
“I’ve been trying to focus on convincing everybody that it should end. I feel like I’m the super naive one who keeps saying, ‘But what’s the story going to be, what story are we going to tell?’” she told Insider last month.
“And everyone’s like, ‘Who cares, Ellen? It makes a gazillion dollars.’”
The current 18th season saw the return of Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery, as well as Scott Speedman as Meredith’s love interest.
Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Kevin McKidd, Kim Raver, Camilla Luddington, Caterina Scorsone, Kelly McCreary, Chris Carmack, Jake Borelli, Richard Flood and Anthony Hill also star.
“‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has a global impact that can’t be overstated,” Vernoff, who took over as showrunner in Season 14, said in a statement. “‘Grey’s’ touches, and sometimes changes, hearts and minds worldwide through the depth of connection people feel with these characters.”
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