Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for a 20th season at ABC, Variety reported on Friday.
During its run, the series — which will soon say goodbye to the character Dr. Maggie Pierce — has made history as the longest running primetime medical drama in the history of television.
It was also reported that executive producer Meg Marinis will act as showrunner for the upcoming installment.
Marinis will succeed Krista Vernoff, following the January announcement that she would be stepping down from the show and the spinoff Station 19.
Marinis joined Grey’s Anatomy in Season 3, working as a production assistant before becoming an executive producer in Season 15.
Another season: Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for a 20th season at ABC, Variety reported on Friday
Additionally, she credited with writing over 25 episodes of the series, whose season 19 finale will air on May 18.
The long-running program is ranked as ABC’s number one show in the 18-49 age range.
ABC reported that the show averages 10.7 million viewers per episode ‘in Live+35 viewing across all platforms.’
In addition to McCreary, the show’s cast includes a host of talented actors including Chandra Wilson, James Pickens, Jr., Kevin McKidd, Caterina Scorsone, Camilla Luddington, Kim Raver, Jake Borelli, Chris Carmack, Anthony Hill, Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane, Midori Francis, Niko Terho, and Scott Speedman.
Kate Walsh also appeared as Dr. Addison Montgomery, and series alums Jesse Williams and Greg Germann were featured guest stars.
McCreary announced via Instagram one week ago that she is hanging up her scrubs after portraying Meredith Grey’s half-sister, Maggie Pierce, for nine seasons.
The 41-year-old actress confirmed the news to her 2.1 million followers as she looked back fondly on some of her character’s most memorable scenes.
‘9 seasons, 200 episodes, scores of heroic surgeries, countless brave patients, dozens of delightful sister house scenes, 1 episode with my real-life sister, some loss and some grief,’ she captioned a still from the medical drama.
Record: During its run, the series has made history as the longest running primetime medical drama in the history of television
Moving on: After nine seasons Kelly McCreary announced she’s leaving the record-breaking series; pictured in 2020
She went on to recall that Pierce, who serves as the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, experienced ‘a few ghostly visitations from’ her late mothers, a ‘bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns’ and ‘handful of boyfriends.’
The mother-of-one also mused about filming several awkward dinner parties, taking and throwing a punch, and learning tons of ‘medical jargon’ over the years.
Additionally, McCreary said she is leaving the show with a ‘slew of friends for life’ and a very ‘grateful heart.’
‘THANK YOU. What a ride!’ she concluded.
In a statement, the Wisconsin native, who graduated from Barnard in 2003, said she was ‘saying goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Grey Sloan family.’
‘It has been a tremendous honor to be a part of such a legendary television institution as Grey’s Anatomy,’ the star continued.
‘I will always be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff, and ABC for the opportunity, and to the incredible fans for their passionate support.’
McCreary also raved that to ‘spend nine years exploring a character inside and out’ is a ‘rare gift.’
Coming soon: The season 19 finale of Grey’s Anatomy will air on May 18
After 19 seasons: Last November, Ellen Pompeo, 53 – who played the beloved leading character, Dr. Meredith Grey – took to Instagram to announce her own departure from the long-running series
‘It has afforded me an opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and be inspired by countless brilliant artists both in front of and behind the camera,’ the performer said.
As for playing Maggie, McCreary called the role ‘one of the true joys of’ her life.
‘I leave with profound gratitude for every step of this journey. I am excited for this next chapter, and what the future holds,’ the Life star told Deadline.
Last November, Ellen Pompeo, 53 – who played the beloved leading character, Dr. Meredith Grey – took to Instagram to announce her own departure from the long-running series.
Addressing her fans, the actress wrote in her caption: ‘I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons!
‘Through it all….none of it …would have been possible without the best fans in the world,’ she continued.
To her 9.9 million followers on social media, she said: ‘You all are RIDERS and you all have made the ride so fun and ICONIC!
‘I love you madly and appreciate you right back,’ the mother-of-four said, adding that she plans to revisit her cast.
Retiring the role: During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show a month later, Pompeo revealed her reasons for retiring the role was because she was ready for something new
‘This isn’t your first time on the rollercoaster… you know the show must go on and I’ll definitely be back to visit. With a lot of love and immense gratitude XoE.’
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show a month later, Pompeo revealed her reasons for retiring the role.
She said that playing the same role for 19 years was turning her brain into ‘scrambled eggs.’
‘I feel super happy, but listen, the show has been incredible to me and I’ve loved a lot of the experience,’ she said. ‘It’s just I gotta mix it up a little bit.’
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