Ellen Pompeo has signed a new contract to continue in her role as Dr. Meredith Grey on ABC’s hit medical drama Grey’s Anatomy when the long-running series returns for its 13th season in Fall 2016.
Meredith’s life on the hit drama has had an interesting journey since the death of her husband Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), all of which has added to a ratings bonanza for the series in its just wrapped 12th season, making it ABC’s highest-rated show in key demographics and ranked among television’s top five dramas.
The 12th season also saw Meredith get romantically involved with two men, one of whom, Martin Henderson (Dr. Nathan Riggs), will also remain on the series for its 13th series.
According to Deadline, the new contract makes Pompeo one of the highest-paid actresses on TV, earning more than $300,000 an episode.
While Meredith will be in place for Season 13, the show will lose Dr. Callie Torres as Sara Ramirez opted out of renewing her contract when it expired at the end of Season 12. At that time, series creator Shonda Rhimes said the door had been left open for Callie and Sara’s return. Unlike Derek, who was killed off, Callie moved to New York to be with the woman she loves.
Also expected to return for Season 13 are original cast members Justin Chambers (Dr. Alex Karev), Chandra Wilson (Dr. Miranda Bailey), James Pickens Jr. (Dr. Richard Webber) , as well as Kevin McKidd (Dr. Owen Hunt).
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