Grey's Anatomy fans are more than excited after it was revealed the doors of Seattle Grace Hospital will remain open.
The hit ABC show has been renewed for an 18th season, making it the longest running medical drama in television history.
Ellen Pompeo will return to her role as Meredith Grey after signing a new one-year contract alongside Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr., according to Deadline.
Pompeo, who also serves as a producer on the show after "lengthy negotiations."
Ellen is one of the highest paid women in Hollywood, earning $20million per year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The news of the renewal broke on their Instagram page, as fans commented their happiness and relief on the post.
"If you think that I’m gonna subject myself to another season of grey’s anatomy where I cry at every episode and get away too emotionally attached to the characters THEN YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT that’s exactly that I’m gonna do," one fan joked.
"THANK YOU ELLEN," a second thanked Dr Meredith Grey herself.
"Can’t believe there’s going to be a season 18 with no Jackson Avery," a third commented.
Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams will be departing the hit ABC medical drama at the end of the current season.
Williams played Dr Jackson Avery for twelve seasons. His pending exit from the series was revealed in last week's episode, “Look Up Child.”
His last episode, titled “Tradition,” will air May 20.
Over the last few years, Williams has been experimenting with directing and producing. He directed episodes of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and Rebel. He most recently produced Two Distant Strangers, which won the Oscar for live-action short film last month.
Vernoff and the Grey’s writers had long conversations about how to end Jackson’s incredible tenure on the show. Fans loved his relationship with Sarah Drew - who played Dr April Kepner. She was written out in 2018, but was brought back in last night's episode.
Meanwhile fans were left stunned following the Season 17 premiere when popular character Derek Shepherd returned.
His character was killed off five years ago in a road accident. However Patrick Dempsey made a shock appearance in a dream sequence as his wife Dr Meredith Shepherd battled COVID.
The surprise return of Dempsey was a closely guarded secret.
In order to throw off the writers and anyone else who might see the script, Vernoff wrote the scene as a dream reunion with her mother Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), instead of McDreamy.
Shonda Rhimes, who created Grey's Anatomy, told E! in 2015 that - McDreamy, as he is affectionately known in the show - had to be killed off once Dempsey wanted to leave the show.
The TV creator explained his love story with Dr. Meredith Grey would be compromised if he left her and their children.