Ellen Pompeo has been the star of Grey’s Anatomy since it premiered in 2005 and while the medical drama was an instant smash, Pompeo did not become the highest-paid actress on a primetime drama overnight.

The year before Grey’s Anatomy became a huge sensation, Pompeo’s movie career had stalled and she was reportedly broke. That’s when her agent gave her the script for what would become her next major project.

The script was written by Shonda Rhimes, who would go on to create and produce a bunch of TV juggernauts including Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder and Bridgerton.

Pompeo was cast as the lead character, Meredith Grey, who was introduced as a surgical intern in what was then known as the Seattle Grace Hospital. She eventually gets the position of surgical resident, and later, the position of an attending surgeon.

In late 2017, when ABC was airing the 14th season of Grey’s Anatomy, Pompeo signed a new deal that made her the highest-paid actress on a primetime drama. The deal covered the 15th and 16th season.

By this point the show was still pulling in 12 million viewers even after more than 300 episodes had aired, which ranked it as the No. 2 drama on the network.

Grey’s Anatomy is also a huge hit outside of the United States, and is said to air in some 220 territories around the world.

So when the time for a pay rise came about, Rhimes offered Pompeo some very clear advice, per The Hollywood Reporter: “Decide what you think you’re worth and then ask for what you think you’re worth. Nobody is just going to give it to you.”

And it worked. Pompeo’s deal ensured she would earn more than $20 million a year — or roughly $575,000 per episode.

Actors rarely disclose how much they earn, but Pompeo did back in 2018 after signing the deal, in the hope of setting an example for others.

“I’m 48 now, so I’ve finally gotten to the place where I’m OK asking for what I deserve, which is something that comes only with age,” she told The Hollywood Reporter.

“Because I’m not the most ‘relevant’ actress out there. I know that’s the industry perception because I’ve been this character for 14 years. But the truth is, anybody can be good on a show season one and two. Can you be good 14 years later? Now, that’s a f***in’ skill.”

Pompeo has had a reduced number of appearances on the show since season 19 which aired between 2022 and 2023 however she continues to serve as a narrator.

The TV icon, who turns 55 on 10 November, is expected to make more on-screen appearances in the current 21st season, although it is unclear how many episodes she’ll be in. Showrunner Meg Marinis spoke to The Hollywood Reporter this year about what fans can expect.

“ With Ellen, we’re an open-door policy,” Marinis said. “When we can have Ellen on set and in the episodes, we love to have her.

“I do want to respect her decision to take a reduced role in these few seasons. But it is nice to have her for more than we had her for last season.”