Ellen Pompeo has recently revealed the reasons for leaving her iconic role on Grey's Anatomy after an incredible 19 seasons.
Pompeo, 53, has starred as Meredith Grey on the medical drama series since 2005 but has decided to hang up her stethoscope for good.
Fans have seen the character grow from an intern who kept getting lost around the hospital to being recognized as one of the best surgeons in the game. Not only that but her continuous passion and perseverance made her one of the most iconic characters to step foot in Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
In a new interview with Drew Barrymore, Pompeo claimed that she had to leave the show because she was "scared" of what would happen if she didn't.
"I gotta mix it up a little bit," she said on The Drew Barrymore Show. "I'm 53, my brain is like scrambled eggs. I gotta do something new.
"You can't do The New York Times crossword puzzle every single day!", Pompeo joked.
She continued: "I mean 19 years, that's more than people keep their kids in their house. People keep their kids in their house until they're 18 and then they send them off to college, so this is like me like going away to college."
While fans have loved her on the show, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end - but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing.
The actress says that she's now directing her attention to her personal life, especially to her children, Stella, 13, Sienna, eight, and Eli, six.
"I have three kids, so I take care of them. It's really important for me to be around for them and be more present for them," she told Barrymore.
And all is not lost for Grey's fans either because Pompeo teased that despite her hiatus, she will be back for one more ride.
"I think we've aired six episodes or seven episodes, possibly," she said. "Maybe after the winter hiatus, I am in one more, maybe, and then the finale, actually."
Watch the full interview below:
It comes after the Old School alum officially announced the news of her departure from the popular show last month.
Posting to Instagram on November 17, Pompeo shared a selfie alongside a heartfelt message to her fans.
"I am eternally grateful and humbled by the love and support you have all shown me, Meredith GREY and the show for 19 seasons!", she wrote. "Through it all... none of it... would have been possible without the best fans in the world. You all are RIDERS and you all have made the ride so fun and ICONIC!!"
"I love you madly and appreciate you right back," she continued. "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."
