Meredith Grey's Relationship History: A Complete Guide to theGrey's AnatomyLead's Love Life From Season 1 to Now

Mar. 15, 2025

Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’; Scott Speeman and Ellen Pompeo in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Photo:Getty

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Meredith Greymight be busy saving lives onGrey’s Anatomy, but she still makes time for love.Since its premiere in 2005, theShonda Rhimes-created show has followed Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital colleagues as they navigate the complexities of their work and personal lives in Seattle and beyond.Over the course ofGrey’s Anatomy’s 21 seasons, Meredith has endured a lot, including a plane crash, a near-drowning, a shooting, a bomb and an abundance of grief. Still, her love life remains one of the most talked-about parts of the series. From her “Pick Me. Choose Me. Love Me” speech to Derek “McDreamy” Shepard (Patrick Dempsey) to cross-country moves with Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), Meredith’s love life has seen plenty of highs and lows.Here’s a look back at Meredith Grey’s relationship history from season 1 to now.

Meredith Greymight be busy saving lives onGrey’s Anatomy, but she still makes time for love.

Since its premiere in 2005, theShonda Rhimes-created show has followed Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital colleagues as they navigate the complexities of their work and personal lives in Seattle and beyond.

Over the course ofGrey’s Anatomy’s 21 seasons, Meredith has endured a lot, including a plane crash, a near-drowning, a shooting, a bomb and an abundance of grief. Still, her love life remains one of the most talked-about parts of the series. From her “Pick Me. Choose Me. Love Me” speech to Derek “McDreamy” Shepard (Patrick Dempsey) to cross-country moves with Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), Meredith’s love life has seen plenty of highs and lows.

Here’s a look back at Meredith Grey’s relationship history from season 1 to now.

01of 11Derek “McDreamy” ShepherdEllen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyMeredith’s one-night stand with a “guy in a bar” at the start of the pilot episode turns out to be a decade-long love story with Derek Shepherd, the chief neurosurgeon at the hospital where she is an intern. Although the two experience a tumultuous on-and-off relationship, they share some of the series' most heartfelt moments: a house full of candles, an elevator love letter and a post-it note wedding.However, it wouldn’t beGrey’s Anatomywithout its share of intense drama, including Derek rescuing Meredith from a near-drowning, Meredith witnessing Derek get shot and a shared near-fatal experience in a plane crash that killed some of their family and friends.Meredith and Derek officially get married in season 7 and go on to have three children: Zola, Bailey and Ellis. But, their love story takes a tragic turn in season 11, when Derek is killed in a car accident, leaving Meredith to navigate years of grief and loss.

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Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

Meredith’s one-night stand with a “guy in a bar” at the start of the pilot episode turns out to be a decade-long love story with Derek Shepherd, the chief neurosurgeon at the hospital where she is an intern. Although the two experience a tumultuous on-and-off relationship, they share some of the series' most heartfelt moments: a house full of candles, an elevator love letter and a post-it note wedding.

However, it wouldn’t beGrey’s Anatomywithout its share of intense drama, including Derek rescuing Meredith from a near-drowning, Meredith witnessing Derek get shot and a shared near-fatal experience in a plane crash that killed some of their family and friends.

Meredith and Derek officially get married in season 7 and go on to have three children: Zola, Bailey and Ellis. But, their love story takes a tragic turn in season 11, when Derek is killed in a car accident, leaving Meredith to navigate years of grief and loss.

02of 11

Steve Murphy

Sunkrish Bala as Steve Murphy in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Netflix

Netflix

03of 11George O’MalleyEllen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and T. R. Knight as George O’Malley in the pilot episode of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyFrom the moment they enter their internship class together,George O’Malley(T.R. Knight) is infatuated with Meredith, who only sees him as a friend. However, after a particularly bad day at work, George confesses his feelings, leading Meredith to reconsider her perspective on him. They end up sleeping together in season 2, but during their intimate moment, Meredith suddenly burst into tears, ending their one-night-fling and putting a rift in their friendship.

03of 11

George O’Malley

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and T. R. Knight as George O’Malley in the pilot episode of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

From the moment they enter their internship class together,George O’Malley(T.R. Knight) is infatuated with Meredith, who only sees him as a friend. However, after a particularly bad day at work, George confesses his feelings, leading Meredith to reconsider her perspective on him. They end up sleeping together in season 2, but during their intimate moment, Meredith suddenly burst into tears, ending their one-night-fling and putting a rift in their friendship.

04of 11Finn DandridgeChris O’Donnell as Dr. Finn Dandridge and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyIn season 2, Meredith starts dating Finn Dandridge (Chris O’Donnell), her dog’s vet, in an attempt to move on from Derek. She even brings him to the hospital prom, where she finds herself in an exam room with Derek, faced with the undeniable chemistry between them. This situation ignites a complicated back-and-forth love triangle between Meredith, Derek and Finn. Ultimately, Derek tells Meredith he is letting her go to be with Finn, but she chooses to end things with Finn in season 3, deciding to be with Derek instead.

04of 11

Finn Dandridge

Chris O’Donnell as Dr. Finn Dandridge and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

In season 2, Meredith starts dating Finn Dandridge (Chris O’Donnell), her dog’s vet, in an attempt to move on from Derek. She even brings him to the hospital prom, where she finds herself in an exam room with Derek, faced with the undeniable chemistry between them. This situation ignites a complicated back-and-forth love triangle between Meredith, Derek and Finn. Ultimately, Derek tells Meredith he is letting her go to be with Finn, but she chooses to end things with Finn in season 3, deciding to be with Derek instead.

05of 11

William Thorpe

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Scott Elrod as William Thorpe in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

06of 11Nathan RiggsEllen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Martin Henderson as Nathan Riggs in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyNathan Riggs (Martin Henderson) and Meredith connect in season 12 through their shared experience of losing loved ones. They start dating, finding comfort in each other’s similar emotional struggles. However, their relationship ends when Nathan discovers that his fiancée, Megan Hunt — whom he had believed was dead — is actually alive.With an understanding that she would do anything to have Derek back if she could, Meredith doesn’t hesitate in telling him to go after Megan. Nathan then resigns from Grey Sloan Memorial and moves to Malibu to start a new life with Megan in season 14.

06of 11

Nathan Riggs

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Martin Henderson as Nathan Riggs in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

Nathan Riggs (Martin Henderson) and Meredith connect in season 12 through their shared experience of losing loved ones. They start dating, finding comfort in each other’s similar emotional struggles. However, their relationship ends when Nathan discovers that his fiancée, Megan Hunt — whom he had believed was dead — is actually alive.

With an understanding that she would do anything to have Derek back if she could, Meredith doesn’t hesitate in telling him to go after Megan. Nathan then resigns from Grey Sloan Memorial and moves to Malibu to start a new life with Megan in season 14.

07of 11Andrew DelucaGiacomo Gianniotti as Andrew DeLuca and Ellen Pomeo as Meredith Grey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyAt Jo Wilson (Camilla Ludington) and Alex Karev’s (Justin Chambers) wedding at the end of season 14, a drunken Dr. Andrew Deluca (Giacomo Gianniotti) impulsively kisses Meredith, though she rejected his advances despite having previously had romantic dreams about him. Over time, Andrew develops feelings for Meredith but doesn’t express them until he notices a possible romantic connection between her and the head of orthopedic surgery, Atticus Lincoln. After some uncertainty and back-and-forth, Meredith and Andrew share a kiss on Valentine’s Day and soon begin dating.Their relationship is tumultuous. At one point, they exchange “I love yous,” but their relationship is tested when Andrew takes the fall for a medical insurance fraud scheme Meredith had committed, which nearly costs him his medical license. The ultimate turning point comes when Meredith tells him he was acting like his father, who had a history of bipolar disorder, after observing Andrew’s increasingly erratic behavior — leading to their season 16 breakup.Though no longer romantically involved, they remained friends untilAndrew tragically diedafter being stabbed while trying to expose a sex trafficker in season 17.

07of 11

Andrew Deluca

Giacomo Gianniotti as Andrew DeLuca and Ellen Pomeo as Meredith Grey on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

At Jo Wilson (Camilla Ludington) and Alex Karev’s (Justin Chambers) wedding at the end of season 14, a drunken Dr. Andrew Deluca (Giacomo Gianniotti) impulsively kisses Meredith, though she rejected his advances despite having previously had romantic dreams about him. Over time, Andrew develops feelings for Meredith but doesn’t express them until he notices a possible romantic connection between her and the head of orthopedic surgery, Atticus Lincoln. After some uncertainty and back-and-forth, Meredith and Andrew share a kiss on Valentine’s Day and soon begin dating.

Their relationship is tumultuous. At one point, they exchange “I love yous,” but their relationship is tested when Andrew takes the fall for a medical insurance fraud scheme Meredith had committed, which nearly costs him his medical license. The ultimate turning point comes when Meredith tells him he was acting like his father, who had a history of bipolar disorder, after observing Andrew’s increasingly erratic behavior — leading to their season 16 breakup.

Though no longer romantically involved, they remained friends untilAndrew tragically diedafter being stabbed while trying to expose a sex trafficker in season 17.

08of 11

John

Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey and Josh Radnor as John in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Netflix

09of 11Atticus “Link” LincolnEllen Pompeo and Chris Carmack as Meredith Grey and Atticus “Link” Lincoln in Grey’s Anatomy.GettyAlso in season 15, Atticus “Link” Lincoln (Chris Carmack) finds himself in the middle of a brief love triangle as Meredith grapples with her feelings for Andrew. After several episodes of playful flirtation and chemistry between Atticus and Meredith, he asks her out, and they make plans to meet for dinner on Valentine’s Day. However, Meredith ultimately stands him up at the restaurant, as she is off sharing a romantic moment with Andrew.

09of 11

Atticus “Link” Lincoln

Ellen Pompeo and Chris Carmack as Meredith Grey and Atticus “Link” Lincoln in Grey’s Anatomy.Getty

Also in season 15, Atticus “Link” Lincoln (Chris Carmack) finds himself in the middle of a brief love triangle as Meredith grapples with her feelings for Andrew. After several episodes of playful flirtation and chemistry between Atticus and Meredith, he asks her out, and they make plans to meet for dinner on Valentine’s Day. However, Meredith ultimately stands him up at the restaurant, as she is off sharing a romantic moment with Andrew.

10of 11Cormac HayesRichard Flood as Cormac Hayes and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyCormac Hayes (Richard Flood) and Meredith were the couple that never was. Sent to Grey Sloan Memorial in season 16 as a “gift” from her best friend, Cristina Yang, Cormac (otherwise known as “McWidow”) bonds with Meredith over their shared experiences as widowers and single parents. However, just as their connection seems to be deepening, Meredith falls into a COVID-induced coma, pausing any potential romance. Eventually, he resigns from the hospital to focus on his sons, exiting the show in season 18.

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Cormac Hayes

Richard Flood as Cormac Hayes and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

Cormac Hayes (Richard Flood) and Meredith were the couple that never was. Sent to Grey Sloan Memorial in season 16 as a “gift” from her best friend, Cristina Yang, Cormac (otherwise known as “McWidow”) bonds with Meredith over their shared experiences as widowers and single parents. However, just as their connection seems to be deepening, Meredith falls into a COVID-induced coma, pausing any potential romance. Eventually, he resigns from the hospital to focus on his sons, exiting the show in season 18.

11of 11Nick MarshScott Speedman as Dr. Nick Marsh and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.GettyNick Marsh (Scott Speedman), a transplant surgeon who later became a residency director, is first introduced at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as a patient in season 14 ofGrey’s Anatomy. Even during his hospital stay, sparks flew between him and Meredith as he flirted with her from his hospital bed.Their romance rekindles in season 18 while Meredith balances her time between Seattle and Minnesota, where Nick is also working. The couple enter a long-distance relationship when Meredith returns to Seattle, but Nick later begins working at Grey Sloan Memorial, bringing them closer again.Despite theiron-again, off-again relationship, Meredith eventually accepts a job in Boston, and Nick later follows her there to continue their relationship.

11of 11

Nick Marsh

Scott Speedman as Dr. Nick Marsh and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.Getty

Nick Marsh (Scott Speedman), a transplant surgeon who later became a residency director, is first introduced at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital as a patient in season 14 ofGrey’s Anatomy. Even during his hospital stay, sparks flew between him and Meredith as he flirted with her from his hospital bed.

Their romance rekindles in season 18 while Meredith balances her time between Seattle and Minnesota, where Nick is also working. The couple enter a long-distance relationship when Meredith returns to Seattle, but Nick later begins working at Grey Sloan Memorial, bringing them closer again.

Despite theiron-again, off-again relationship, Meredith eventually accepts a job in Boston, and Nick later follows her there to continue their relationship.

source: people.com