Ellen Pompeo set to return to Grey's Anatomy for multiple episodes in season 21

Grey's Anatomy fans can rejoice as Ellen Pompeo, the actress who has portrayed Dr. Meredith Grey since the show's inception in 2005, is set to return for a significant number of episodes in the upcoming season 21. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that viewers can expect to see Pompeo on screen for at least seven episodes.

Pompeo, who also serves as an executive producer for Grey's Anatomy and has an overall deal with ABC Signature, will continue her role as the show's primary narrator. This update is welcome news for fans who have missed Meredith's presence in the last two seasons, where Pompeo's appearances were limited due to her involvement in other projects and the writers' and actors' strikes.

While Pompeo had reduced her role to recurring after signing on to produce and star in a Hulu limited series, the filming schedule of that project will allow her to potentially appear in even more than the initially planned seven episodes.

Season 20 concluded with a happy ending for Meredith and Nick, as they decided to move to Boston with her children. Creator Shonda Rhimes has always maintained that Grey's Anatomy wouldn't exist without Meredith Grey, and the creative team has consistently left the door open for Pompeo's return.

Rhimes, in a recent interview with THR‘s Lacey Rose, shared her ongoing involvement with the show, now under the leadership of showrunner Meg Marinis. While Rhimes is no longer hands-on with editing, she remains a consultant and offers her support when needed. The future of the show remains uncertain, with Rhimes admitting she doesn't know when it will eventually end.