The news spread via Instagram: The TV doctor series “Grey’s Anatomy” loses its biggest star after more than 15 years – Ellen Pompeo gets out. The 53-year-old said on her social media channel on Thursday (local time): “I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have shown me, Meredith Grey, and the show over 19 seasons. None of this would have been possible without the best fans in the world.”

Pompeo has been around since the first season in 2005 and has always been the lynchpin of the show. Your perpetual crush Dr. Derek Shepherd, nicknamed “McDreamy” (Patrick Dempsey), had already disappeared from the series in the eleventh season. The 53-year-old made it public a few years ago that he, Demsey, earned significantly more money in the series than she, one of the main characters, for years. Her salary was then significantly increased.

In the 19th season currently running in the USA, Pompeo can only be seen in eight of the more than 20 episodes. Now its survival is uncertain. But fans of the format have reason for a glimmer of hope. Because: “The show must go on and I’ll definitely come back for a visit,” wrote Pompeo.

“Grey’s Anatomy – the young doctors” can be seen in Germany on ProSieben, Sixx and Joyn, among others.