After playing Dr. Meredith Grey on the ABC hit series "Grey's Anatomy, actress Ellen Pompeo believes that the medical drama will survive its 12th season despite Patrick Dempsey leaving last season.
Although the well-loved Dr. Derek Shepherd was killed off in the previous installment, the critically acclaimed series has already unveiled its first few episodes with renewed energy and heartiness.
Following her appearance in all of the 247 episodes of "Grey's Anatomy,' Pompeo shared how the series has impacted her acting career.
"I've learned a lot about being an actor and about being a good person and a team player and a good mother. I've learned so much about life from this journey," the 45-year-old actress explained.
When asked about her experience of having to say goodbye to Dempsey, Pompeo admitted that they all miss him but are working on turning such energy into a productive opportunity.
"Any time we lose a member of the cast, you feel it. The energy shifts," she shared. "But in order to create great drama, we need big things to happen. And every time a beloved cast member has left, it gives us new air."
The mother-of-two had also drawn attention to how much her character in the medical drama is in need of these changes. Despite a considerably different experience, killing of Meredith's partner is believed to bring on a chance for the series to grow and endure.
Pompeo also explained how the coming changes are necessary for the team behind the show to stay inspired.
"We're looking for things to not stay the same," she added. "They have to stay the same to some extent but you welcome change because that's what inspires the writers, that's what inspires the actors."
Showrunner Shonda Rhimes has not yet opened up about her plans of whether she will be introducing a new love interest for Meredith in season 11 despite actor Martin Henderson signing on to the cast to play a new surgeon.
"Meredith is in a rebirth and she's evolving. I'm watching the character do what the character's doing and I'll see where it goes," Rhimes told E! News.
As for how Meredith turns out in the new season, fans will get to follow her story as she settles in and adjusts to living with Maggie (Kelly McCreary) and Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) as her new housemates.
The trio is expected to put a bit more of the "fun" element in season 12 because of their different personalities.
'Grey's Anatomy' season 12 airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
