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Grey’s Anatomy fans understand this lesson better than anyone – the carousel never stops turning. But with the ABC medical drama currently in its 18th season, some viewers have been wondering when the show will come to an end. Now, the network has officially confirmed the Shondaland series is renewed for season 19, and many fans have theories on the last season of Grey’s Anatomy.

ABC confirms ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ is renewed for Season 19 with Ellen Pompeo returning as Meredith Grey 

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey stares off into the distance in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18 | Liliane Lathan/ABC via Getty Images

On Jan. 10, ABC confirmed Grey’s Anatomy will return for season 19 with Ellen Pompeo starring as the beloved Dr. Meredith Grey. The firefighter spinoff, Station 19, has also been renewed for season 6.

“Grey’s Anatomy is a true phenomenon, beloved by audiences around the world,” Dana Walden, chairman of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television, said in a statement, per ABC. “We have enormous faith in Shonda, Krista Vernoff, Ellen Pompeo and the entire creative team to unlock new, untold stories that will continue to focus on modern medicine, tackle the issues that shape the world around us, and resonate deeply with loyal fans for years to come.”

Creator Shonda Rhimes and showrunner Krista Vernoff on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 19

According to ABC’s press release, Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes expressed excitement that they “get to keep telling stories of Meredith, Bailey [Chandra Wilson], Richard [James Pickens Jr.] and all of the other doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial for another season.” Meanwhile, showrunner Krista Vernoff touched on the show’s “global impact” before sharing her excitement to “dream up where we go from here” with the Grey’s Anatomy writers. 

“I’m always grateful to our partners at Disney and ABC for letting us tell bold stories with real impact,” Vernoff said.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ fans react to the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 19 news and predict when the last season will air

Following the news of Grey’s Anatomy Season 19, plenty of fans had things to say. Many individuals were excited about the next new chapter. And a few were hopeful that another season gives the show some time for more returning characters. Remember, characters like Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), and Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) still haven’t come back. But even so, others just want Grey’s Anatomy to be over, especially after Pompeo’s recent comments about wanting to end the series soon.

“I’ve been trying to focus on convincing everybody that it should end,” Pompeo told Insider in December 2021. 

Then when the Grey’s Anatomy Instagram announced the season 19 renewal, some fans told the show to “stop.”

“Stop please,” one viewer wrote. “Love old greys.”

Then another fan wrote, “ELLEN NEEDS A BREAK.”

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‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 18 Episode 9 Promo Trailer Teases Owen Hunt’s Fate When the Show Returns After Winter Break for the ‘Station 19’ Crossover

Meanwhile, some individuals are hoping that season 19 will be the show’s final run. But many Grey’s Anatomy fans are theorizing that the last season will be season 20.

“So if it’s renewed to season 19, then that pretty much means that season 20 will also be confirmed, because 19 would be a weird place to end it,” a fan wrote on Reddit. “Season 20 will be the final season, and they can use that to wrap everything up, and come up with a good ending.”

For now, Grey’s Anatomy fans will have to wait and see when ABC decides to end the series. But whatever happens next, many viewers are just hoping that everyone can get off the carousel in one piece. Stay tuned.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 returns with episode 9 on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022.

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