ABC’s Showrunner Krista Vernoff (Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19) recently signed a new multi-year deal for her company Trip the Light Productions, raising hopes that negotiations will progress to renew the long-running medical drama Grey’s Anatomy for its 18^th season, according to Deadline.

Vernoff spoke with Variety about the difficulties of producing a show during COVID, sharing that she hopes the vaccines bring relief to both the fictional hospital workers of Grey’s Anatomy and the real world. “I do see a light at the end of the tunnel for these characters,” she said via Variety. “Whether this is the end of the series or the end of the season.”

Grey’s Anatomy first premiered in 2005 and is ABC’s longest scripted primetime series. It continues to be ABC’s most-watched show. Lead performer Ellen Pompeo is the highest paid actress on a primetime TV drama, earning more than $20 million a year, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Vernoff is the executive producer and showrunner of three ABC series, Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19 and the upcoming Rebel, premiering April 8. She wrote for the first seven seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, returning as showrunner and writer for the season 14. Her credits also include Shameless and Private Practice.

“Krista Vernoff is a superstar who makes the almost impossible task of running three shows seem like a reasonable amount of work. I am honestly in awe of her,” said Dana Walden, Walt Disney Television Chairman of Entertainment via Deadline. “Everyone at the studio and network is grateful for the tremendous job she’s done on the amazing Shondaland shows.”