Ellen Pompeo Is Furious Over Speculation That Her Salary Led to 'Grey’s Anatomy' Cast Departures

In case you missed the devastating news, Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew are leaving (opens in new tab) Grey's Anatomy after producers decided not to renew their contracts. Capshaw has been on the show for 10 season (and Drew, nine), so this revelation is obviously.

Deadline (opens in new tab) first reported the news, writing, "The decision not to bring back Capshaw and Drew comes on the heels of the blockbuster new [Ellen] Pompeo pact that gave her a significant salary increase, paying her as much as $20 million a year."

This statement is factually correct (one event did precede the other!), but apparently Ellen felt there was an implication that her high salary had something to do with her co-stars' departure—and she wasn't having it.

She also didn't seem thrilled that this was the message being sent on International Women's Day, when women should be supporting each other, not pitted against each other.

Meanwhile, showrunner Krista Vernoff's statement on the subject is as follows:

Let's make one thing clear: Pompeo's salary transparency is a great thing—and will doubtless inspire other actresses to negotiate better deals.