At the Television Critics Association press tour, Paul Lee, President of ABC network, announced that Grey’s Anatomy would continue for “many years to come.” He spoke fondly of the show’s executive producer and creator Shonda Rhimes, who he credits for the series’ success.

“[Executive producer] Shonda Rhimes is one of the greatest writers that our generation has seen. She’s continuing to write an immensely powerful show. It makes you laugh and cry every week, and what season are we now? And by the way, to her enormous credit, it is completely different than Scandal. And I love it. I think it’s going to stay on the network for many years to come,” said Lee.

Many fans viewed Lee’s statement as affirmation of Grey’s Anatomy’s impending renewal. To give fans more hope for the show’s future, Ellen Pompeo, who plays Dr. Meredith Grey, and Patrick Dempsey, who portrays Dr. Derek Shepherd, signed new two-year deals. This means Meredith and Derek will be sticking around at least until the end of the 12th season.

In August 2013, Sandra Oh announced her plans to depart the long running drama. Following Oh’s exist statement, fans began to fear that many more actors would soon leave Grey’s Anatomy. Some fans even saw it as a sign that the series’ planned to end after its current 10th season. Pompeo and Dempsey’s contract news does calm some of their fans’ fears. However, until ABC officially renews the series, many fans still worry about Grey’s Anatomy’s future.

There is no word yet on whether Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. will continue on with the series after this season. All three of their contracts expire this year, just as Dempsey and Pompeo’s did before their renewal. Hopefully, the other cast members also sign new contracts that keep them around for at least two more seasons. Grey’s Anatomy fans want to keep them around.

Image Via Facebook