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TL;DR:

  • Despite whispers about Grey’s Anatomy ending, the cast will return for season 19.
  • The ABC show’s stars admitted it’s difficult to see it concluding now.
  • The series could conclude with season 19, but it could just as easily keep going.
The 'Grey's Anatomy' cast, who discussed the possibility of the show ending at the 400-episode celebration. They're standing around a tall, white cake with 'Grey's Anatomy 400' on the front. They're also standing in front of a wall with pictures from the ABC series over the years.
The cast of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ | ABC via Getty Images

Grey’s Anatomy just celebrated 400 episodes in the books, and the medical drama shows no signs of slowing down. For years, fans have been wondering when the doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital would pack it up. However, Grey’s Anatomy Season 19 is already confirmed, and several cast members admitted they don’t see the series ending just yet.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ isn’t ending with season 18

Grey’s Anatomy is approaching the end of its 18th season, which many fans believed would be the ABC drama’s last. Despite that speculation, the network renewed the series for another go-round back in January. Ellen Pompeo will return as Meredith Grey, and she’s also been promoted to executive producer.

Those worried that Pompeo would bid farewell to the series no doubt breathed a sigh of relief at the news. Of course, just as many fans have wondered if the show has gone on long enough.

At Grey’s Anatomy‘s 400th Episode Celebration, several cast members touched on that topic. They aren’t sure the conclusion is in sight just yet. And they offered a compelling reason for why the series could keep going.

The ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ can’t see the show ending just yet

During the event celebrating 400 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, several cast members spoke with People about the possibility of the show ending. No one could give a definitive answer. But they did suggest viewers are eager for more — and that there are more stories to tell.

Camilla Luddington, who plays Jo Wilson in the medical drama, admitted, “It’s hard to imagine it closing now.”

Owen Hunt actor Kevin McKidd expressed a similar sentiment, telling the outlet, “I don’t know how this show ends at this point.” McKidd added that the cast believed season 18 would mark the finale. However, he went on to discuss why a series like Grey’s Anatomy could continue for much longer:

“The thing is with a medical show, because most TV shows struggle because their narrative or the construct of how they’re telling stories, it starts to become convoluted to keep it going. With medical shows, there’s an endless amount of stories because there’s new people coming into hospitals every single day. So that’s why it’s hard to really see what the end can be. All I can tell you is it’s bigger than all of us at this point.”

Chandra Wilson, who joined the show back in season 1, told People that she believed the ending of Grey’s Anatomy had arrived many times before. “So I’m not thinking of it anymore,” Wilson said. “Not going to do it!”

From the sound of it, the Grey’s Anatomy cast is in it until the creators say “no more” or they run out of stories to tell. McKidd’s words make the latter seem unlikely to happen.

Will the cast part ways after season 19 of the ABC drama?

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With Grey’s Anatomy remaining so popular after 19 seasons, it’s hard to say if the ending is in sight — especially with the cast agreeing to move forward in their roles.

Of course, plenty of actors have left the series over the years. And creator Shonda Rhimes told E! News that Ellen Pompeo’s departure will herald the end. According to Deadline, Pompeo’s contract was only renewed for another year. That means season 19 could very well be the last. But after all the rumors that season 18 would conclude things, it’s probably best to wait for concrete news.

The other cast members are right that medical developments lend to new stories every day. Hopefully, they’ll find a way to keep giving viewers what they love while keeping things fresh.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 will air its finale on ABC on May 26.

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