Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for a 20th season on ABC, Variety reported Friday.
During its run, the series – which soon evolved from the character Dr. Maggie Pierce – made history as the longest-running medical drama in television history.
It has also been reported that executive producer Meg Marinis will serve as showrunner for the upcoming installment.
Marinis will succeed Krista Vernoff after it was announced in January that she would be stepping down from the show and spin-off Station 19.
Marinis joined Grey’s Anatomy in Season 3 and worked as a production assistant before becoming Executive Producer in Season 15.
Another season: Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed for a 20th season on ABC, Variety reported Friday
She also credits over 25 episodes of the series, whose season 19 finale airs May 18.
The long-running program is ranked as ABC’s number one show in the 18-49 age group.
ABC reported that the show averages 10.7 million viewers per episode “in Live+35 across all platforms.”
In addition to McCreary, the show’s cast includes a variety 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, and Harry Shum Jr. , Adelaide Kane, Midori Francis, Niko Terho and Scott Speedman.
Kate Walsh also appeared as Dr. Addison Montgomery, and series alumni Jesse Williams and Greg Germann guest-starred.
McCreary announced via Instagram a week ago that she was hanging up her coat after nine seasons portraying Meredith Grey’s half-sister Maggie Pierce.
The 41-year-old actress confirmed the news to her 2.1million followers as she fondly looked back on some of her character’s most memorable scenes.
“9 seasons, 200 episodes, countless heroic surgeries, countless brave patients, dozens of adorable nurses’ house scenes, 1 episode with my real sister, some loss and some sadness,” she captioned a still from the medical drama.
Record: During its run, the series made history as the longest-running primetime hospital drama in television history
Moving on: After nine seasons, Kelly McCreary announced she’s leaving the record-breaking series; 2020 pictured
She went on to recall that Pierce, who serves as chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital, had “a few ghost visits” from her late mothers, a “bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns” and “a handful of friends.” have experienced.
The mother-of-one also thought about filming several awkward dinner parties, punching and throwing and learning loads of “medical jargon” over the years.
Additionally, McCreary said she’s leaving the show with “a lot of friends for life” and a very “grateful heart.”
‘THANK YOU VERY MUCH. What a ride!’ she closed.
In a statement, the Wisconsin native, who graduated from Barnard in 2003, said she “would say goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Gray Sloan family.”
“It was a great honor to be 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 gushed that spending “nine years researching a character inside and out” is a “rare gift.”
Upcoming: The Grey’s Anatomy season 19 finale airs May 18
After 19 seasons: Last November, Ellen Pompeo, 53 – who played the popular main character Dr. Meredith Gray starred – on Instagram to announce her own departure from the long-running series
“It has given me the opportunity to work, learn from and be inspired by countless brilliant artists in front of and behind the camera,” said the artist.
As for the role of Maggie, McCreary called it “one of the true joys” of her life.
“I walk with deep gratitude for every step of this journey. I look forward to this next chapter and what the future holds,” the Life star told Deadline.
Last November, Ellen Pompeo, 53 – who played popular lead character Dr. Meredith Gray starred – on 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 shown me, Meredith GRAY and the show over the past 19 seasons!
“Through all of this… none of this… would have been possible without the best fans in the world,” she continued.
Speaking to her 9.9million followers on social media, she said: “You are all DRIVERS and you all made the ride so fun and iconic!
“I love you madly and appreciate you immediately,” said the mother-of-four, adding that she plans to revisit her cast.
Retirement: During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show a month later, Pompeo revealed that her reasons for retiring were because she was ready for something new
“This isn’t the first time you’ve been riding a roller coaster… You know the show must go on and I’ll definitely be visiting again.” With much love and gratitude XoE.’
During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show a month later, Pompeo revealed her reasons for stepping down from the role.
She said playing the same role for 19 years turned her brain into “scrambled eggs.”
“I feel super lucky, but listen, the show was amazing for me and I loved a lot of the experience,” she said. “I just need to mix it up a bit.”