As Meredith Grey, she saved countless lives, made and lost friends and survived both personal and professional crises. After 19 seasons, US actress Ellen Pompeo is now retiring from the popular series “Grey’s Anatomy”. On Instagram, she says goodbye to her fans with touching words.

She writes: “I am eternally grateful for the love and support you have shown me, Meredith Gray and the series. None of this would have been possible without the best fans in the world. (…) I love you madly and appreciate you very much. (…) You know that the show must go on – and I will definitely come back and visit you.”

It has long been known that Pompeo will leave the cult series in the 19th season. In the seventh episode of the season, as Meredith Gray, she has now left Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital to start a new life with her children in Boston. The farewell party for Meredith is also the end of Ellen Pompeo as the main character of the series.

However, her fans do not have to do without the actress entirely. As she herself announced on Instagram, there will be a reunion from time to time. As was the case with other cast members in the series. Jesse Williams, who played Dr. Jackson Avery plays and Sarah Drew, who plays Dr. April Kepner plays, have already returned for guest appearances. Just like Patrick Dempsey aka Mc. dreamy

Even if saying goodbye will not be easy for many fans, Pompeo will not completely disappear from the scene of the series. However, it is not yet clear whether there will be another season of Grey’s Anatomy – ABC has not yet renewed the corresponding contracts. But there is still a lot to tell from Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Sources: Instagram, ABC