Is Ellen Pompeo Leaving Grey's Anatomy?

Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith Grey on Grey's Anatomy, says she may want to depart the series after her contract is up, which isn't until 2012.

"I haven't said I'm moving on," Pompeo told Extra. "I said that when my contract is up after Season 8, I would probably not renew."

Grey's Anatomy: Will Meredith go all dark and twisty again?

Pompeo would be the third (along with T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl) of the original five main characters to depart the ABC medical drama.

"I think I [will have] told all the stories I can tell as Meredith Grey," Pompeo added. "Who knows? I never say never to anything. But I've told a lot of Meredith Grey stories. I think the world has had a lot of Meredith Grey."

Justin Chambers discusses how long he'll stay on Grey's Anatomy

Having Meredith Grey exit the series wouldn't be that far-fetched. The writers have been filtering new characters into the spotlight over the last few seasons, including Meredith's half-sister, Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) — an easy save for the show's title.