For over a decade, Ellen Pompeo has starred as the fascinating character of Meredith Grey on the long-running ABC show “Grey’s Anatomy.” However, it seems as though things were not always as pleasant behind the scenes as they were for at-home viewers.

Recently, Pompeo sat down with “Empire” star Taraji P. Henson to discuss the many trials and tribulations that actresses experience in Hollywood for Variety’s Actors on Actors series. When asked by Henson if there was ever a moment that she wanted to “get off the bus” and leave the show, Pompeo said that there had been, in fact, “many moments” that she had wanted to quit the popular television show.

“It’s funny: I never wanted off the bus in the year that I could get off,” she replied. “The first 10 years we had serious culture issues, very bad behavior, really toxic work environment. But once I started having kids, it became no longer about me. I need to provide for my family,” the “Grey’s Anatomy” star said.

Pompeo did not elaborate on what specifically triggered her to feel that way, but fans know the medical drama has had its own share of controversies over the years.

Continuing, the actress added that it became her goal to turn the so-called bus around so that she could be happy and feel fulfilled at work each day. “...We had so much turmoil for 10 years,” she recalled. “My mission became, this can’t be fantastic to the public and a disaster behind the scenes.”

Pompeo said that show creator Shonda Rhimes “decided to rewrite the ending” and that was what kept her there. “Patrick Dempsey left the show in season 11, and the studio and network believed the show could not go on without the male lead. So I had a mission to prove it could. I was on a double mission,” she defiantly added, which she appears to have successfully conquered.

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