| Meredith Grey | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy and Station 19 character | |
 Promotional image | |
| First appearance | "A Hard Day's Night" (1.01) March 27, 2005 |
| Created by | Shonda Rhimes |
| Portrayed by | Ellen Pompeo Flashbacks:
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| In-universe information | |
| Title | |
| Occupation |
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| Family |
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| Spouse | |
| Children | Miscarriage (with Derek) Zola Grey-Shepherd (adoptive daughter) Derek Bailey Shepherd Ellis Shepherd |
| Nationality | American |
Meredith Grey, M.D., F.A.C.S., is a fictional and titular character from the medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, which airs on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actress Ellen Pompeo. Meredith made her first appearance in the pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night", broadcast on March 27, 2005. She also appears in the spin-off series Station 19 as a recurring character.
Meredith is the series' protagonist and was introduced as a surgical intern at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital (later Seattle Grace-Mercy West Hospital, and afterward Grey+Sloan Memorial). She eventually obtains the position of a surgical resident, and later, the position of an attending surgeon. In 2016, she attains the Chief of General Surgery position. As the daughter of world-renowned surgeon Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), Meredith struggles with balancing the challenges of being in a competitive profession, maintaining her relationship with her one-night stand and eventual husband, Derek Shepherd (McDreamy), her role as a mother, and her friendships with her colleagues. Her relationships with colleagues Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) form a central part of the show's early dynamics.
Meredith serves as the narrator of the show and is the focal point of most episodes, though other characters' perspectives are also explored. Pompeo's on-screen chemistry with Dempsey has been celebrated as a high point of the series. Rhimes has described Meredith as someone who doesn't believe in absolute good or bad, but rather does what she feels is right. Meredith Grey has been positively received by critics, with Alessandra Stanley of The New York Times calling her "the heroine of Grey's Anatomy."
Pompeo's performance as Meredith has been well received throughout the series, leading to worldwide popularity for the character. Pompeo has been nominated for multiple awards, including the Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama and several People's Choice Awards for Best Actress, winning in 2013 and 2015. She also received a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama in 2007.