Photo: Monica Schipper/FilmMagic
At theGrey’s AnatomyPaleyFest event on Sunday, the 53-year-old actress exclusively opened up to PEOPLE about her future on the ABC’s long-running medical drama as cast membersEllen PompeoandKelly McCrearyhave stepped back from the series.
“I used to say, ‘I’m there until the wheels fall off until the very, very end, and it can’t last that much longer, right?’ And then we keep going,” Wilson, who has played Dr. Miranda Bailey since the pilot episode in 2005, shared. “For now, I’m challenging myself to be there until the very last episode, the very last day, the very last scene.”
She added, “I said it, so now I’ve got to get there.”
Monica Schipper/FilmMagic
Wilson also teased what’s coming next for Bailey, who has been struggling with a work-life balance after returning to the hospital on this season ofGrey’s Anatomy.
“She’s about to go through something that tests her as a professional, tests her as a surgeon, tests her as a wife and a mother,” she said. “And it’s another example of juggling all the balls, right, that women specifically have to do and try not to lose it.”
Wilson’s decision to remain on the hit series — which was recentlyrenewed for a 20th seasonperVariety —comes as McCreary announcedher exit fromGrey’s Anatomylast month.
ABC/Eric McCandless
McCreary shared her gratitude for the last nine seasons onGrey’sin a heartfelt Instagram post on March 17. She shared, “9 seasons, 200 episodes, scores of heroic surgeries, countless brave patients, dozens of delightful sister house scenes, 1 episode with my real-life sister, some loss and some grief, a few ghostly visitations from mothers, a handful of boyfriends, 2 gorgeous weddings, a bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns, 1 high-speed chase, several awkward dinner parties, 1 punch taken (1 punch thrown), at least 1 pratfall, buckets of tears, innumerable fits of laughter, all the medical jargon mastered, a slew of friends for life, myriad collaborators who grew me as an artist, 1 grateful heart and1 massive THANK YOU.”
“What a ride! 🥹♥️🙏🏾,” she added.
She added, “I love you madly and appreciate you right back.”
Pompeostepped back from the seriesthis season to pursue outside projects, including Hulu’s adaptation of the 2009 filmOrphan, which follows a terrifying adoption story in which a couple’s new daughter turns out to be a grown woman masquerading as a child.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Grey’s Anatomyairs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com