'Grey's Anatomy' Season 12 Spoilers: Ellen Pompeo Leaving Series After Patrick Dempsey?

Grey's Anatomy might have just lost one of its main characters during the show's 11th season, but as season 12 approaches there are whispers that we might be losing another fan favorite. Patrick Dempsey's character, Derek Shepherd, was killed off the show back in April after a fiery car crash and it looks like his wife Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) might be joining him sooner than later. That's right, there has been speculation that Shonda Rhimes is going to focus the new episodes on Meredith's battle with Alzheimer's, which could ultimately lead to a very dramatic exit from the ABC series.

According to The Inquistr, there have been reports that Pompeo has been looking for a way to get out of Grey's Anatomy and that Derek's death proved that a show without the two lead stars was possible.

The site is also reporting that Meredith has been living with the possibility that she will diagnosed with the Alzheimer's for the last three seasons after finding out that she had the gene for it. Fans should prepare themselves for the possibility that this storyline could be playing out on our TV screens this upcoming season.

"Now, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and the entire Grey's Anatomy family are about to enter uncharted territory as we head into this new chapter of her life," Rhimes explained in a statement via TIME. "The possibilities for what may come are endless."

However, we aren't so sure that Ellen's time is coming to an end, as according to TV Line, the series has already cast McDreamy's replacement in actor Martin Henderson, best known for his role on Rhimes' short-lived series, Off the Map. So will he be trying to woo Grey when the new season premieres this September?

[Image courtesy of Facebook/Grey's Anatomy]