Ellen Pompeo: actress, producer, and director

On the likelihood of Grey's ending and what the show has taught her: "We're getting there. Shonda and I will make that decision together. I think that one of the biggest lessons that this show has taught me and being on this show for so long has taught me is that relationships do change. And they do grow. They take work. Like any marriage, friendship, you gotta put in the work. You have to accept other people's flaws and accept your own flaws and try to change and be a better person. But I think everything is worth the time and effort. And things get better."
On what's keeping the show around: "The show's a tremendous moneymaker, let's be honest. It makes a fortune for everybody, and everyone wants to keep it going. Now, it's sort of fun. We're in a contest with ourselves. How long can we keep this going and still have this level of quality?"
On whether or not Meredith will meet a tragic fate: "I don't know. I know I'm going to survive because there's no show without me, so I never worry how I'm going to survive this. I guess I just worry if the audience will like it."
On eventually leaving to be more involved with her kids' lives: "I want to be more involved in my kids' lives as they get older. And they need me more, and this world is such a crazy place."
On her plans after Grey's: "I am really into producing. I love producing. It's like one problem after another; it's problem-solving 101. It's like a great experiment in problem-solving. Acting is . . . it's a young girl's game. You've gotta travel, you've gotta be away. [You've] gotta go here and work at night in the rain. I'm not saying I'll never do it. If there's an amazing opportunity, I'm sure, of course I'll do it."

Image Source: ABC