Ellen Pompeo is adding another hat to her repertoire. The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that Pompeo will be directing an upcoming episode of Grey’s Anatomy.
The episode that Pompeo will direct, which will air some time during the show’s current 13th season, has yet to be announced, but it will also mark Pompeo’s directorial debut. The episode will commence shooting next month.
Shonda Rhimes, the creator of Grey’s Anatomy, confirmed the news in a tweet during last night’s episode of the show.
This isn’t the first time that an actor in the ShondaLand universe has stepped behind the camera to direct an episode of the show. Chandra Wilson (Bailey) and Kevin McKidd (Owen) have both directed multiple episodes of the show throughout its run. Debbie Allen, who plays Catherine, is an executive producer of the show and has also directed some of the episodes of the show as well.
Not only that, but Tony Goldwyn, who plays Fitz on Scandal, directed some of the earlier episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and also directed some of the episodes of Scandal. And Tom Verica has directed episodes of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, while also being on the first season of How To Get Away With Murder as Sam Keating. Darby Stanchfield, who plays Abby on Scandal, is also getting into the directing game, directing the six episodes of Scandal‘s online spinoff, Gladiator Wanted.
Last night marked the return of the full TGIT lineup to ABC, as Grey’s Anatomy and How To Get Away With Murder returned from hiatus and Scandal had its season six premiere. TV by the Numbers reported that Grey’s Anatomy scored a season high 2.6 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic and was watched by 9.59 million viewers. Scandal scored a 2.0 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic and was watched by 7.62 million viewers. How To Get Away With Murder scored a season high 1.5 rating in the 18 to 49 demographic and was watched by 5.41 million viewers.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC.