Grey’s Anatomy’s Ellen Pompeo Reveals One Of Her Biggest Frustrations With The Show

Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo revealed one of her biggest frustrations with the medical drama, which stems from her character Meredith Grey. Pompeo played Meredith on Grey’s Anatomy since season 1, where she starred as the series’ central character. However, Grey’s Anatomy season 19 saw Pompeo step away from the show as a series regular, making sparse appearances throughout the season. Pompeo’s most recent feature as Meredith was in Grey’s Anatomy season 19’s finale.

Speaking with Variety, Pompeo opened up about one key element of Grey’s Anatomy that frustrated her about Meredith. She explained that Meredith’s lack of relationship skills, despite having multiple love interests throughout the show, is a part of the series she doesn’t miss dealing with. Check out Pompeo’s full statement below:

“Oh no, I’ve been on the show so long, I’m happy to let that go. We’re past that point. I think it’s OK for Meredith to stop making bad decisions. One of my frustrations is the Nick and Meredith of it all. Scott Speedman plays Meredith’s love interest, Nick Marsh, and I love Speedman. Somehow, Meredith can’t figure out how to make a relationship work, still, after all this time. I felt so happy to be able to step away, and I felt like I accomplished something incredible. Everywhere, as I’m sure everywhere you go, people just run up to me and say, ‘I love you!’ It’s weird and strange, but it’s just love coming at me.”

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Meredith’s Relationships On Grey’s Anatomy Explained

Meredith had multiple relationships throughout her many years on Grey’s Anatomy. Her most prominent relationship was her marriage to Derek Shepherd, with whom she had three children. However, Derek died after a car accident in season 11, resulting in Meredith getting into other relationships that have not lasted as long as her marriage with Derek.

Meredith’s short-term relationships include Nathan Riggs, who left Grey’s Anatomy after season 14, and Andrew DeLuca, who died in season 17 to a stab wound. Her most recent love interest is Nick Marsh, whom Meredith is currently in a relationship with. Despite criticisms of a lackluster Grey’s Anatomy exit for Meredith, her relationship with Nick becoming more offscreen seems like it addresses the issue Pompeo has had with Meredith’s relationship skills.

While Pompeo will likely return at some point in Grey’s Anatomy season 20, it seems Meredith is done being at the center of major storylines in the series. Pompeo also seems happier to have let Meredith go as a regular character on the show, while also returning to play her every so often. It should prove interesting to see how Grey’s Anatomy will continue to evolve now that Meredith is no longer a regular character in the series.