Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: Kevin McKidd attends the Red Carpet of the 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards - Broadcast & Cable at The Beverly Hilton on August 13, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage)

Kevin McKiddis supportive ofEllen Pompeo’sdecision to reduce her presence in season 19ofGrey’s Anatomy— in fact, he says it’s a sign of her commitment to the hit ABC medical drama.

“The fact that she’s not leaving the show and is just gonna scale it back a bit — what I think is beautiful about it is that it shows her love for the show still,” he added.

Liliane Lathan/ABC via Getty

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear The doctors of Grey Sloan Memorial celebrate the holidays; Hamilton and Meredith prepare for a milestone on their project; Link wants to spend the holiday with Amelia and Scout as a family; Schmitt is faced with a difficult decision during surgery on an all-new episode of Greys Anatomy, THURSDAY, DEC. 16 (9:00-10:01 p.m. EST), on ABC.

Pompeo, 52, has anchored the hit ABC medical drama for the past 17 years, including stepping into a producer role in 2017. For season 19, which premieres in October, Pompeo will appear in only eight episodes, perDeadline.

The news of her lessened role onGrey’scame as the actress announced that will be executive producing and starring in a new Hululimited series adaptation of the 2009 filmOrphan.

Raymond Liu/ABC

GREY’S ANATOMY

The show has recentlyadded newcomersNiko Terho,Adelaide Kane,Midori Francis,Harry Shum Jr.andAlexis Floyd, and McKidd teased, “We have thisamazing group of new interns, brilliant, young, vibrant actors who are really passionate.”

He continued, “It’s almost like we’re going back to the beginning, if that makes sense. We’re not really rebooting, but it’s definitely that pilot episode whenSandra OhandT.R. Knightfirst kind of walked into the hospital. We’re kind of doing that again. And it’s very exciting to feel that we’re all part of that,” McKidd added.

Of Pompeo, he told PEOPLE: “Definitely her character [Meredith Grey] is such a dominant, iconic character on the show. It’s definitely going to make some room for different stories to be told. So I think everyone is excited about that.”

Liliane Lathan/ABC

GREY’S ANATOMY - “Out for Blood” – Due to a blood shortage, Grey Sloan Memorial is setting up a voluntary donation center. Meanwhile, Nick asks Meredith for help with his patient and Winston is hung up on his relationship with his brother, in the first hour of the season finale of “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, MAY 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC. (ABC/Liliane Lathan) KIM RAVER, KEVIN MCKIDD

“I think he still has quite a bit of fallout to deal with. He did a noble thing last year, but he bent the rules too much and he has to pay the price,” he explained. “He’s already paid a significant price, but it’s going to be interesting to see how that plays out because he isn’t out of hot water yet. He has to dig himself out.”

McKidd quipped, “My character is always in trouble.”

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Season 19 ofGrey’s Anatomywill premiere Oct. 6 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

source: people.com