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"The stars of Grey&amp;#039;s Anatomy have reportedly signed up for a ninth season. The future of cast members Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey-Shepherd), Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd) and Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang) was previously in doubt.   However, all three have now signed new deals, according to Deadline. Justin Chambers (Alex Karev), James Pickens, Jr. (Richard Webber) and Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey) have also agreed to return to the medical drama. Grey&amp;#039;s Anatomy is yet to be officially picked up by ABC, but the show is expected to be renewed for a ninth year. The future of spinoff series Private Practice is less certain, with an abridged final season a possibility. Shonda Rhimes - creator of both shows - recently admitted that she is &amp;quot;hopeful&amp;quot; the Kate Walsh drama will return for a sixth run. &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;m never going to say that I absolutely know it&amp;#039;s coming back until the network tells me that it&amp;#039;s coming back but... I refused to go with the idea that this was the end of the show,&amp;quot; said the showrunner. Grey&amp;#039;s Anatomy continues tonight at 9/8c on ABC and airs on Wednesdays at 10pm on Sky Living in the UK. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/greys-anatomy/news/a380890/greys-anatomy-ellen-pompeo-patrick-dempsey-more-to-return/>