'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19: Everything We Know About Ellen Pompeo, Cast Shakeups and More

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is gearing up for a new chapter, but season 19 is going to look dramatically different.With ABC's long-running medical drama nearing two decades on television and surpassing 400 episodes, there's bound to be changes in front behind the camera.

As series star Ellen Pompeo formally steps back for the upcoming season, with plans to only appear in eight episodes (though she'll continue to narrate), favorites and franchise newcomers will be stepping into the spotlight.While significant changes are afoot at, the new season, which kicks off Oct.

6 with a premiere episode titled «Stuck,» is being touted as a «rebirth» -- for the characters and the show, both literally and figuratively.To help everyone keep track of everything that's going on over at , here's ET's quick-and-easy guide to the most important updates on season 19.In August, it was revealed that Pompeo — who's played Meredith Grey since the pilot in 2005 — would be scaling back her screen time in season 19, appearing in only eight episodes.

Even though viewers will see less of Meredith, the 52-year-old actress will continue to serve as an executive producer on the series, while also retaining narrating duties.It was unclear when Pompeo's last episode would fall, but in a new interview, showrunner Krista Vernoff offered insight into when the leading lady's temporary goodbye would take place.