ABC continues to invest in Grey's Anatomy.


As the Shondaland medical drama inches closer to becoming TV's longest-running primetime medical drama ever, the network has bolstered its season 15 order with three additional episodes.


The tally for season 15 now comes in at 25, marking its largest order in more than a decade. It is only the third time that Grey's Anatomy has featured 25 or more episodes, having previously had the same order back in season three. Season two remains its largest ever, with 27 episodes.


The news comes as the Ellen Pompeo-led series ranks as ABC's No. 1 series for the 2018-19 broadcast season. In its 15th season, the show is averaging an impressive 3.1 rating among the all-important adults 18-49 demographic.


Grey's Anatomy is poised to break ER's record as TV's longest-running medical drama in either February or March, scheduling permitting. Krista Vernoff serves as showrunner on the series, which will return from its midseason hiatus on Thursday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. The series, which is already ABC's longest-running primetime drama, will likely continues as long as star Pompeo wants to do it; her current contract runs through season 16. (A renewal has not yet been announced, but it is considered a formality.)