Ellen Pompeo Says She Might Leave 'Grey’s Anatomy' “Sooner Rather Than Later”

Ellen Pompeo Says She Might Leave 'Grey’s Anatomy' “Sooner Rather Than Later”

"I'm not trying to stay on the show forever."

After 17 seasons on ABC's Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo is talking about stepping away from the show. The actress recently joined Dax Shepard on his podcast, Armchair Expert, to discuss her future as Dr. Meredith Grey, telling the Parenthood star that she didn't want to be "the grapes dying on the vine."

Though Pompeo's longevity on the show is certainly something to be proud of, watching herself age from 33 to 50 onscreen hasn't been easy. "You really see it because I'm in the same clothes, I'm in the same character. So the way I see myself aging—that's a motherfucker." However, the actress isn't ashamed of her age.

"At the same time, I think the overall goal of my life is to always keep my ego in check," she said. "I don't want to tell myself lies. I don't lie about my age."

Pompeo said she wants to leave the show while she's still happy to be there. "The truth is if I get too aggravated and I'm no longer grateful there, I should not be there," she told Shepard.

As far as when she'll be making her exit, the details are still a bit vague. "Certainly, I think to dip out sooner rather than later at this point, having done what we've done, to leave while the show is still on top is definitely a goal," she said. "I'm not trying to stay on the show forever. No way. "

So, Grey's fans, prepare yourselves. We don't yet know exactly how or when Meredith Grey will go out—but it's sure to be an emotional ride, as always.

Grey's Anatomy has yet to be officially renewed beyond Season 17—when Pompeo's contract currently expires—but, Deadline reports, co-stars Kim Raver, Camilla Luddington and Kevin McKidd all recently signed multi-year contracts, indicating that ABC Studios likely isn't looking to end the show anytime soon.