The Grey’s Anatomy star is attached to lead Not a Sound, a new Hulu drama from David E. Kelley

Ellen Pompeo is set to return to the hospital world, but this time she will step into the role of a nurse rather than a doctor.

The Grey’s Anatomy star is attached to lead Not a Sound, a new drama in development at Hulu from Big Little Lies creator David E. Kelley, according to Deadline.

The project marks a reunion of sorts for Pompeo and Kelley. In March 2005, Kelley’s Boston Legal ended its Sunday night run, paving the way for Grey’s Anatomy to debut the following week. More than two decades later, the pair are now set to collaborate directly for the first time.

Pompeo to play hearing-impaired nurse

Based on Heather Gudenkauf’s novel of the same name, Not a Sound centres on Amelia Winn, a disgraced emergency room nurse who loses her hearing following a devastating hit-and-run accident.

Amelia’s life takes another dramatic turn when she and her loyal service dog discover the body of a former colleague who has been murdered.

The discovery draws her into a mystery that could ultimately uncover the truth about the accident that changed her life.

The role would give Pompeo a significant departure from her long-running portrayal of Dr Meredith Grey, allowing her to explore a medical character facing both personal trauma and a complex murder mystery.

Pompeo expands Hulu projects

Pompeo has remained closely involved with several projects at Disney and Hulu while continuing her long-running association with Grey’s Anatomy.

Her true-crime anthology series Good American Family was recently renewed for a second season on Hulu. She is also attached to star in and executive produce the dramedy pilot Chicks, which has been ordered by the streamer.

Pompeo continues to headline ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy as Dr Meredith Grey, a character she has portrayed since 2005.

She also remains an executive producer on the spin-off Station 19 and an upcoming Grey’s Anatomy offshoot set in West Texas, which is scheduled for a midseason 2027 premiere.

New role marks a fresh medical mystery

If Not a Sound moves forward, the project will give Pompeo an opportunity to explore a very different kind of medical character while bringing her back into a hospital environment that has been central to her career.

With Kelley behind the project and Pompeo attached to lead, the Hulu drama could offer the actress a fresh take on the medical thriller genre while drawing on the hospital setting that has defined much of her career.