‘Grey’s Anatomy’ just broke a TV show record

Shondaland

“Grey’s Anatomy” has officially been renewed for season 15, making it the longest-running primetime drama in ABC’s history. Despite its longevity, the show still manages to be among ABC’s top-rated series, with 7.7 million viewers in the Nielsen Live+Same Day ratings.

“‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has a special place in my heart and millions of viewers feel the same way,” Channing Dungey, president of ABC Entertainment, told Variety. “Thanks to fiercely loyal fans who have been on this journey since the beginning, and new generations of viewers who continue to discover the joy and drama of Grey Sloan Memorial, the show is as strong as ever.”

greys anatomy photo
Getty Images | Kevork Djansezian

The long-running and successful show centers around Meredith Grey, a surgeon portrayed by Ellen Pompeo. As the title character and star of the show, Pompeo recently opened up about how she negotiated a $20 million per year deal for her role, making her the highest paid actress in a television drama.

Pompeo reportedly earns a whopping $575,000 for each episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” in addition to a seven-figure signing bonus, equity points on the show and a producing fee.

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Pompeo said in the past that she felt she deserved to be paid more than former co-star Patrick Dempsey because she is the title character. But her request was denied.

patrick dempsey photo
Getty Images | Pascal Le Segretain

“At one point, I asked for $5,000 more than him just on principle, because the show is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and I’m Meredith Grey. They wouldn’t give it to me,” Pompeo told The Hollywood Reporter. “And I could have walked away, so why didn’t I? It’s my show; I’m the number one. I’m sure I felt what a lot of these other actresses feel: Why should I walk away from a great part because of a guy? You feel conflicted but then you figure, ‘I’m not going to let a guy drive me out of my own house.’”

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Pompeo also talked about how much working on “Grey’s Anatomy,” has positively impacted her life, as well as her daughter’s.

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“Look, I only have a 12th-grade education and I wasn’t a great student, but I’ve gotten an education here at Shondaland. And now my 8-year-old daughter gets to come here and see fierce females in charge,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “She loves to sit in the director’s chair with the headphones on yelling ‘Action’ and ‘Cut.’ She’s growing up in an environment where she’s completely comfortable with power. I don’t know any other environment in Hollywood where I could provide that for her. Now I hope that changes … and soon.”

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Getty Images | Mark Davis

The iconic series has also spawned two spinoffs, “Private Practice” and the more recent “Station 19,” which focuses on a group of Seattle firefighters and includes some cast and plot crossover.

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The finale of the current season of “Grey’s” airs on May 10.

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Congratulations to everyone involved with the show on their historic accomplishment!

RELATED: ABC has had another recent win with the reboot of “Roseanne.” Here’s what the cast looks like today!

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Kate Streit
Kate Streit lives in Chicago. She enjoys stand-up comedy, mystery novels, memoirs, summer and pumpkin spice anything.

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