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\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n Ellen Pompeo<\/strong><\/a> returned on screen to Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/strong><\/a><\/em> in the season 21 premiere this week!<\/p>\n The 54-year-old actress reprised her role as Meredith Grey in one of multiple episodes this season<\/a> where fans will get to see her, instead of just hear her voiceover.<\/p>\n If you recall, Ellen <\/strong>left the series as a full-time series regular<\/a> after season 18, with her on-screen episode count being limited the last couple seasons, and in this new season.<\/p>\n In a new interview, showrunner Meg Marinis<\/strong> opened up about Ellen<\/strong>\u2018s increased time on-screen this season and how they navigate when she comes in to do her episodes.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think we have a confirmed number right now, and we don\u2019t typically do it all in one run. But I will say, her story does continue at the beginning of this season. With Ellen<\/strong>, we\u2019re an open-door policy,\u201d Meg<\/strong> told THR<\/a><\/em>. It was previously revealed<\/a> she was confirmed for seven episodes, but that could increase!<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we can have Ellen <\/strong>on set and in the episodes, we love to have her. She\u2019s always present in the show, even if she\u2019s not in it in it. She has voiceover still, and we talk about her character all the time,\u201d she continued. \u201cShe and I have a great relationship and work really well with one another. And she and Debbie [Allen]<\/strong><\/a>, I could write scenes for them all day long. So if I could write multiple episodes of Meredith and Catherine going head-to-head, I absolutely would. But 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Meg<\/strong> also talked about how scheduling works when Ellen<\/strong> returns for an on screen appearance.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s conversations with her and with the studio as well. It\u2019s easier for her schedule when we do things in chunks, and typically on Grey\u2019s Anatomy<\/em>, we tell story arcs,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019ll do a recurring patient for three episodes here; and then that person will go away. It\u2019s nice to get fans invested when you do storylines in two- or three-episode arcs. And we always have those one-off storylines, but especially because the show is viewed differently now, you can tell stories any way you want. You can tell stories where you have to watch the next one immediately on streaming, or where you have to have someone wait a week. It\u2019s stressful now, but it\u2019s also fun because there are so many different ways you can pull off a narrative.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this year, Ellen<\/strong> filmed a new limited series <\/a>that is set to premiere on Hulu!<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p><\/div>\n