'Grey's Anatomy' renewed for season 18 after Ellen Pompeo lands new deal

Grey’s Anatomy (Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV) fans, rejoice! The hit medical drama has been renewed for season 18, with star Ellen Pompeo extending her contract to continue on as Dr. Meredith Grey.

Executive producers and showrunner Krista Vernoff will continue to helm the series, currently in its 17th season. 

There has been no decision made regarding Grey’s Anatomy’s future beyond season 18 but there’s some good news for its firefighter spinoff Station 19 because the series will be returning for a fifth season.

"The writers, directors, casts and crews of Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 worked so hard to bring these shows to life this past season," Vernoff said in a statement. "Keeping each other safe on set while paying tribute to the front-line heroes and first responders has been a challenge and a privilege. I've been truly blown away — particularly by our tireless crews — as they reinvented the TV-making wheel. Thank you to ABC and ABC Signature for the support and extraordinary partnership through this unprecedented season. We are so grateful for the opportunity to tell more stories."

Last fall, Pompeo fueled rumours that Grey’s was nearing the finish line when her contract was set to expire this summer. “We don’t know when the show is really ending yet. But the truth is, this year could be it. I mean, this is the last year of my contract right now… I don’t know that this is the last year? But it could very well could be,” she told Variety.

While the financial terms of Pompeo's new deal were not made available, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that the actress did secure another salary increase, which means she remains the highest-earning actress in a primetime drama series.

Well, fans of the beloved medical drama are very excited that Pompeo’s prediction was wrong.

Grey’s Anatomy's season 18 won't be taking two of its longtime stars along for the ride. Giacomo Gianniotti’s Andrew DeLuca was killed off earlier this season, and Jesse William’s Jackson Avery will make his final appearance during the May 20 episode.

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9pET on CTV. 

BEFORE YOU GO: Jesse Williams is leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

[video_embed id='2197524']BEFORE YOU GO: Jesse Williams is leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’[/video_embed]