Ellen Pompeo’s Grey’s Anatomy Season 20 Episode Count Revealed

The episode count for Ellen Pompeo in Grey’s Anatomy season 20 has been confirmed, as Meredith will continue to have a presence on the hit show.

The episode count for Ellen Pompeo in Grey’s Anatomy season 20 has been confirmed. Pompeo has been synonymous with the seminal medical drama as its long-time lead star, narrator, and executive producer. However, she will be taking a step back from her role as Meredith to focus on other roles and projects. That includes the show tentatively referred to as Orphan, an upcoming limited series for Hulu that echoes the horror movies of the same name.

Pompeo will still have a presence in the medical drama, though, as The Hollywood Reporter confirms that she will be in at least four episodes of Grey’s Anatomy season 20. There is also the possibility that Pompeo could appear in more than just four, with the upcoming season consisting of fewer episodes due to the impact of the Hollywood strikes on filming.

What To Know About Grey’s Anatomy Season 20

Meredith has a big storyline with Nick.

Even though she’ll only be a recurring guest, Meredith’s love life puts Pompeo front and center in Grey’s Anatomy season 20. In a trailer for the upcoming season, Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman) gets up and personal with Meredith, expressing vulnerability when he tells her about how he wants to spend his life with her. She seems charmed by the sentiment, which hints at big things for the couple that’s become a favorite with viewers.

For its milestone season, Grey’s will also see guest appearances from familiar faces. Jessica Capshaw will reprise her beloved role as Dr. Arizona Robbins for the first time since the character’s season 14 exit. Along with Capshaw, Alex Landi will also be back as Dr. Nico Kim. Newcomers to the ensemble, Parks and Recreation alum Natalie Morales and When They See Us actor Freddy Miyares, have likewise been cast.

There are also changes to the long-running medical drama behind the scenes, as long-time producer and writer Meg Marinis takes over the role of showrunner from Krista Vernoff, who departed at the end of season 19. But despite the shifts, and the fact that Meredith moved to Boston for the sake of her daughter’s education, she won’t be gone completely.

Grey’s Anatomy season 20 will premiere Thursday, March 14 at 9 PM ET on ABC.