US medical series »Grey's Anatomy«: Leading actress Ellen Pompeo is leaving after 15 years

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Ellen Pompeo, also known as Meredith Grey: After 15 years, the surgeon from »Grey's Anatomy« is breaking up

Photo: Nino Munoz/ABC/Getty Images

The internationally successful and multi-award-winning US doctor series »Grey's Anatomy« loses the leading actress Ellen Pompeo after more than 15 years.

The 53-year-old said on Instagram: "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.«

Series creator Shonda Rhimes also commented wistfully on Pompo's exit on Instagram and shared a photo with the actress there.

Rhimes writes, "What a wild ride these last 19 seasons have been.

None of this would have been possible without the incomparable Ellen Pompeo, the only Meredith Grey."

According to reports, Ellen Pompeo will not have to die serially.

Her character, Meredith Gray, is set to leave Seattle for Boston, where she will start a new job.

Grey's Anatomy is set at the fictional Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle and describes the life of five residents around the main character Meredith Gray and their rise in the hospital hierarchy.

The series has received several awards, including Emmys and Golden Globes.

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 script prescribed a fatal car accident.

In the current 19th season, Pompeo can only be seen in eight of the more than 20 episodes.

Now the continuation of the series 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.

dpa/nga