Grey’s Anatomy is currently in its 12th season. It began long before Shonda Rhimes‘ newest fan-favorites Scandal and How to Get Away With Murder premiered, and if history tells us anything, it’ll be around long after.

Ellen Pompeo is a huge reason for that. The star of Grey’s–she portrays the extremely troubled and talented surgeon Meredith Grey, who finds humor and comfort in the most miserable of circumstances–has become a pop culture icon during her run on the show, and that run is about to continue. Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Grey has extended her contract, and is now, in the show’s 12th season, one of the highest-paid actresses on the small screen.

That means she’s right up there with Law and Order‘s Mariska Hargitay, and Sofia Vergara of Modern Family. Pretty darn good company to be in.