‘Grey’s Anatomy’ season 11: Shonda Rhimes not thinking of end date — yet

For those wondering if “Grey’s Anatomy” season 11 could be the final season of the show, it doesn’t look like there is any reason to start thinking that … at least for the time being.

Shonda Rhimes made an appearance on Tuesday at ABC’s TCA Summer Press Tour in an effort to promote her new series “How To Get Away with Murder,” and when asked about the hospital drama’s future, she stated that “as long as I am still interested in what happens next,” she is not going to be ending the show.”

For the time being, the biggest obstacle for “Grey’s Anatomy” is going to be airing at 8:00 p.m. Eastern for the first time, given that this is a timeslot that has not traditionally done very well for the network over the years. If it conquers that, then we easily see a twelfth season on the horizon. Most of the major cast members are signed for two more years, and it will only be after that when we start to imagine the show’s future being a little bit cloudy.

The interesting thing about “Grey’s Anatomy” is that if it was not for the fact that Ellen Pompeo narrated the start and finish of most episodes, we could see the show even surviving if she were to leave; however, her presence there to us makes it feel like like it would be almost impossible for the show to continue on without her on it. So as long as Shonda has stories and Ellen wants to keep playing Meredith Grey, the story will last.

“Grey’s Anatomy” was announced as premiering on Thursday, September 25 per the official fall schedule released today. Click here if you want to see where many of the other dates could fall into place. Also, you can sign up now to get even more big updates from us via our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: ABC