Ellen Pompeo to quit acting after Grey's Anatomy?

Los Angeles - Ellen Pompeo is considering quitting acting after Grey's Anatomy.

The 44-year-old actress has admitted she has no "strong desire" to find new roles when she hags up her stethoscope in the hit ABC series as she no longer wants to work for other people.

She said during a panel hosted by BuzzFeed: "I definitely feel myself transitioning. I don't find acting terribly empowering. For the place I am in my life, I think my age, once I hit 40, I feel differently. I don't necessarily want to work for other people."

However, the Golden Globe winner - who has starred as Meredith Grey on the medical drama since 2005 - refused to confirm that she would be quitting acting for good.

She said: "Never say never, I'm not going to come out and make one of those statements like, 'I'm retiring after...' and then in February come back. I try to keep an open heart, an open mind, an open soul and spirit to whatever comes my way and whatever is meant to be for me will be."

Ellen is contracted to appear on the show alongside her co-star Patrick Dempsey until the end of a potential season 12, although the show - which is set to air the first episode of its 11th series on September 25 - is yet to confirm whether a 12th season will take place.

When asked if she would be willing to extend her contract, she said: "I don't ever take anything for granted, and I would never be so arrogant as to assume the show would go to season 12. If we're doing our jobs, then possibly we'll be grateful to get a season 12, but I won't assume anything."

Watch Ellen discuss it further here: