The Legacy of Grey's Anatomy Characters: Where Are They Now?
Grey's Anatomy made its debut on March 27, 2005, introducing audiences to a cast of characters led by surgical resident Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. The show's ensemble has kept viewers engaged for 15 years, despite the departure of several key characters. Many memorable faces, including Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, have left the series over the years. Chambers' departure after 16 seasons left fans shocked, especially since his character did not receive a proper send-off on the show.
Despite the goodbyes, fans hope to see him return to TV soon.
Kelly McCreary bid farewell to her character, Maggie Pierce, after nine seasons on the show. Reflecting on her time with Grey's Anatomy, McCreary expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to bring Maggie to life and connect with a global audience. Similarly, Richard Flood, who played Cormac Hayes, departed the show after three years, citing a natural end to his character's arc and story developments affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flood did not express much interest in returning to the series after leaving.
Legendary actress Sandra Oh, who portrayed Cristina Yang, has continued to shine in various TV shows since her departure from Grey's in 2014. Oh's performance in Killing Eve earned her a Golden Globe award and a spot on Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People list. On the other hand, Isaiah Washington, known for his role as Preston Burke, faced controversy that led to his exit from the show in 2007.
Washington has since focused on other projects and announced his retirement from acting in 2023.
The Departures of Fan-Favorite Grey's Anatomy Characters
Katherine Heigl's portrayal of Izzie Stevens, which earned her a Primetime Emmy in 2007, ended amid disagreements with show creator Shonda Rhimes. Heigl's TV career thrived post-Grey's, with notable roles in State of Affairs, Doubt, and Suits.
T.R. Knight's character, George O'Malley, met a tragic end in season six, but the actor found success in shows like The Good Wife and The Bravest Knight. Brooke Smith's Erica Hahn left Grey's Anatomy after stirring up drama on the show, leading to roles in series like Ray Donovan and Bosch.
The Departure of Beloved Grey's Anatomy Characters
Kate Walsh's character, Addison Montgomery, initially left Grey's Anatomy after three seasons but returned for guest appearances.
The actress went on to star in Private Practice and other projects. Eric Dane's Mark Sloan met a tragic end in season eight, paving the way for roles in The Last Ship and Euphoria. Patrick Dempsey's Derek Shepherd left the show in 2015, allowing him to pursue projects like Bridget Jones's Baby and Devils. Sara Ramirez, who played Callie Torres, left the series after a decade and has since starred in other TV shows.
Jerrika Hinton departed Grey's as Stephanie Edwards in season 13 finale after her character was involved in a hospital explosion.
Martin Henderson's Nathan Riggs left the show in season 14, with the actor moving on to roles, including one in Virgin River. Sarah Drew's April Kepner evolved from a new resident to a fan-favorite doctor before exiting the show in 2018. Jessica Capshaw's Arizona Robbins, known for her bubbly personality, left the series after 10 seasons, leaving fans wanting more of her character.
