Fans of the long-running ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy" are questioning the whereabouts of Meredith Grey after the show released its first look at the cast for season 23. Ellen Pompeo, who has portrayed the titular character since the series premiere in 2005, was notably missing from a cast photograph shared on July 24.
The image featured series regulars Chandra Wilson, Debbie Allen, James Pickens Jr., Camilla Luddington, and Caterina Scorsone, alongside newer cast members Trevor Jackson, Adelaide Kane, Niko Terho, Harry Shum Jr., and Anthony Hill. The absence of Pompeo from the ensemble picture immediately drew comments from viewers.
"Ok so I’m not seeing Meredith???" one fan commented on the social media post. Another expressed, "GREY’S Anatomy but I don’t see a GREY..LOL HAAHAHAAHAA."
Despite her absence from the promotional photo, Pompeo's character is not entirely out of the picture. She scaled back her on-screen presence at the start of season 19 in 2022, shifting focus to her family and other professional endeavors. In an April 2025 interview with El País, Pompeo stated, "I’ve been doing it for 20 years, so it was time to step away." She cited a desire to spend more time with her three children and maintain a better work-life balance.
Since reducing her role, Pompeo has maintained a connection to "Grey's Anatomy" as an executive producer and the show's narrator. She has continued to make guest appearances in select episodes each season, and sources indicate she is expected to return for season 23.
The upcoming season will also see the departure of veteran cast members Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver, who exited the series at the conclusion of the previous season. McKidd shared in a statement to Variety in March that his time on the show had been a significant chapter, and he looked forward to new projects. Raver also expressed gratitude for her time with the cast and crew.
Even with these cast changes, "Grey's Anatomy" is set to continue, with Meredith Grey's storyline still a part of the narrative.