In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Ellen Pompeo discusses what it’s like for the four original Grey’s Anatomy stars to be in season 13, working with Justin and their friendship.
Below are the parts of her interview where she mentions Justin, read the full interview at the source.

This season focuses on the original stars — you, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. What does that mean for Meredith and her journey this season?

It’s strange because when we’ve lost people from the show, you feel sad and you feel like, “Is it going to be the same? Is it going to be more fun?” But in a funny way, the evolution really helps us continue. And we’re finding our way. The writers are doing a great job. I don’t know what it is, but we’re having a great time. I think we’re all in a place — Justin, myself, [creator] Shonda Rhimes, Jim Pickens, Chandra Wilson — all the originals that are left. You go through a journey of 13 years and at this stage, you’re just so grateful that we’ve had the support that we’ve had. I mean, can you imagine the audience has supported us for 13 years? Some movie stars don’t get a career that long. And we’re on every week and people are still watching. We don’t take it lightly, it’s unbelievable.

From what we’ve seen in the season 13 premiere, Meredith is getting a lot of time early on with Alex.

Justin and I have such unbelievable chemistry. I would sit on the sidewalk with him for days and I wouldn’t have to do anything. He’s one of my closest friends. So to be able to get to act with him and to have stories that we get together all the time is a dream come true.

How will Alex’s arrest impact his reputation and the season going forward?

He’s going to get demoted at work. Justin is an unbelievable talent. He’s just so simple and present and he’s an amazing scene partner. I always say I’ve never had a scene partner like Sandra Oh; she was the most incredible scene partner. And Justin is right up there with her. I’m having a ball with him this season. All we have to do is look at each other and we really vibe.