Ellen Pompeo says she might be done with acting post-'Grey's Anatomy'

Grey's Anatomy type TV Show network ABC genre Drama Where to watch Close Streaming Options

Ellen Pompeo is still going strong as Grey’s Anatomy lead character Meredith Grey after 10 seasons on the show, but she might be done acting when Grey’s is done airing.

The actress talked candidly about her future in the business when she appeared at a BuzzFeed Brews event Wednesday that also hosted the two leads of Shonda Rhimes’ other dramas, Scandal‘s Kerry Washington and How to Get Away with Murder‘s Viola Davis.

“I definitely don’t have a strong desire to act after Grey’s. I definitely feel myself transitioning,” Pompeo said. “I don’t find acting terribly empowering.”

Washington nodded and smiled in response, and said, “Wow, that’s a great statement.”

It’s hard to say whether Washington was expressing surprise at Pompeo’s words or agreement (or something else entirely), but it’s worth noting that Pompeo’s not the first to express this sort of sentiment: Many actors over the decades have made not-so-positive proclamations on their profession. Katharine Hepburn once said, “It’s a business you go into because you’re an egocentric. It’s a very embarrassing profession.”

Pompeo didn’t go that far, but specified that she feels she’s got acting down and wants to try something new. “I just feel like I’d like to see if I can do something different and be successful at something different,” Pompeo said. “I feel like I’m very successful at acting.”

The Golden Globe-nominated actress is already dipping her toe into something different: She’s set to executive-produce an ABC Family series based on Rachel Carey’s 2013 novel Debt,and her production company, Calamity Jane, made its first network sale just last month.

Pompeo recently renewed her Grey’s Anatomy contract for two more years, though, so she won’t be disappearing from TV screens just yet. Grey’s Anatomy‘s 11th season premieres Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.