When a fan-favorite character leaves Grey's Anatomy, it feels like a stab to the heart. When it comes to medical dramas, Grey’s Anatomy is a household name and one of the few television series to elevate the genre. Fans have been watching Meredith Grey and the entire cast for the past 20 seasons, but it hasn’t been without its fair share of losses. Several beloved characters left the long-running drama, some recently and some quite early.
It’s safe to say that when a series runs as long as Grey’s Anatomy has, it tends to saturate the actors, and there comes a point when a character has reached the end of the line. Besides several major actors taking a bow for playing the character for “too long,” some Grey’s Anatomy stars had controversial exits that are still topics of discussion among fans.
Updated on September 11, 2024 by Christy Mathew: This article has been updated to include five more of Grey's Anatomy's fan-favorite characters who left the show too soon, as well as to coincide with CBR's most current standards for formatting.
15 Jerikka Hinton Chose to Leave For Newer Opportunities
Hinton Played Stephanie Edwards
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Hinton's Stephanie was a character introduced in Season 9, among others, and later became a series regular in Grey's Anatomy. She became an appreciated character. However, due to infrequent appearances on the show, it was hard for some fans to fully connect with her. Stephanie was the new intern of the show and was appreciated, but was one of the underutilized characters, unlike Izzie and George previously.
Seasons: 9 to 13 (2012-2017)
Notable Storylines: Competitive nature in residency, relationship with Jackson, mentor relationship with Amelia, severe burns from hospital explosion leading to her departure.
Stephanie went through a traumatic experience which led her to reassess her life and explore opportunities outside the hospital. Hinton left to pursue more creative opportunities, which were ignited after being chosen for a comedy pilot called "Toast". However, the show never moved forward, which led to the actor realizing she wanted to try something new outside of Grey's Anatomy. Hinton played several roles after her exit from the show on projects like Here and Now, Servants, Hunters and more.
14 Isaiah Washington's Exit Was the Most Controversial
Washington Played Preston Burke
Washington's Preston Burke was a brilliant surgeon and competitive throughout his time on Grey's Anatomy. His character left right before he was about to marry Cristina Yang. Some fans still think that Burke understood Yang more than Owen ever could. Fans had mixed reactions to the character's departure. Washington was the first major cast change for the show. However, his character did return for a cameo in Season 11 and gifted Cristina his hospital to build hearts.
Seasons: 1 to 3 (2005-2007)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with Cristina, leaving Cristina at the altar, winning the Harper Avery Award, abrupt departure from the hospital.
Unfortunately, the actor was allegedly let go because of using a homophobic slur during an argument with Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd), towards T. R. Knight (George O'Malley). The incident became public as Washington received backlash for his behavior. Although Washington denied using the slur, the situation resurfaced at the 2007 Golden Globes press room, when he said the slur again to say he denied using it. He later apologized for his behavior and went on to star in projects like The 100.
13 Jessica Capshaw Left Because of “Creative” Differences
Capshaw played Arizona Robbins
Fans immediately loved the bubbly surgeon who wanted to treat tiny humans from the time she entered Seattle Grace in Season 5. Arizona Robbins had become a series regular and gone through a lot, including losing a leg, and the love of her life, Callie Torres. When Capshaw decided to leave the show in Season 14’s finale, it came as a surprise to both fans and the show-makers. Jessica Capshaw's Grey's Anatomy exit seemed sudden as there weren’t any major issues with the character or the actor. However, it was later reported that Capshaw’s departure had something to do with the show’s creative direction.
Seasons: 5 to 14 (2009-2018)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with Callie, losing her leg in a plane crash, custody battle for Sofia, becoming Head of Fetal Surgery.
Later, rumors circulated, indicating that her exit might also be connected with Ellen Pompeo’s revised salary. However, Capshaw left the show smiling, just like her character, who also moved to NYC with Sofia to be closer to Callie. After saying goodbye to her iconic character, Capshaw made appearances in movies like Dear Zoe, Holidate, and more. She even briefly returned to Grey's Anatomy in Season 20.
12 Sarah Drew’s Exit Saddened Fans
Drew played April Kepner
April Kepner might not have been everyone’s favorite character initially, but she underwent some serious and much-needed character development. She evolved from an overeager resident into an impressive surgeon. Drew played the iconic Grey's Anatomy character for almost a decade before departing alongside Jessica Capshaw in Season 14’s finale. Of course, Sarah Drew’s Grey's Anatomy exit saddened the fans since it was also forcefully connected to Pompeo’s new salary situation.
Seasons: 6 to 14 (2009-2018)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with Jackson, losing her first child, crisis of faith, leaving the hospital to provide medical care for the homeless.
However, it was reported in 2018 that Drew was part of the “downsizing crew” because of the ever-growing Grey’s Anatomy cast and the infinite number of storylines. On the show, Kepner married Matthew and moved away, but she returned during Jackson’s exit from the show for the last time as her character was seen reuniting with Avery after divorcing Matthew and moving to Boston. After leaving the show, the actor appeared in several films, including Twinkle All The Way, Stolen By Their Father, and Indivisible. Her character returned to Grey's for Season 18 and her guest appearance in Season 19.
11 Jesse Williams Thought His Exit Was the Right Move
Williams played Jackson Avery
Jesse Williams left the show after being a part of the show for 12 seasons, claiming that he felt his character had reached his natural end. The actor expressed that he needed to get out of his comfort zone in a 2022 New York Times interview. Jackson left the drama’s mainstay hospital to go to Boston to care for his mother’s foundation. It was also the time when he reunited with his old flame, April Kepner, who left the show before him. However, Jackson returned for a guest appearance in 2022 for season 19 as an actor and a director.
Seasons: 6 to 12 (2009-2021)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with April, mentor relationship with Mark, becoming Head of Plastic Surgery, taking over the Harper Avery Foundation, moving to Boston.
Every Grey’s Anatomy fan must remember the day when the grey-eyed handsome surgical resident joined the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Jackson Avery was the talk of the town after his blazing entry into the story in Season 6, and he immediately became everyone’s heartthrob. Fortunately, there was more to his character than just the obvious traits, and it is safe to say that Jackson grew into a decent surgeon and human being. After leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Williams went on to act on Broadway, and he also appeared in the popular Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building as Tobert.
10 Kate Walsh Left For Her Own Show
Walsh Played Addison Montgomery
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Walsh's character Addison was initially portrayed as the villain in Grey's Anatomy as she came in and broke up the dreamy couple, Meredith and Derek. However, fans loved Addison eventually after getting to know the character and she became a series regular. As for showrunners, there was no drama or controversy about her exit in Season 3, but fans and Shonda loved her so much, that they wanted to capitalize on her character with another show where Addison would be the main lead, called Private Practice.
Seasons: 1 to 3 (2005-2007)
Notable Storylines: Derek's ex-wife, relationship with Mark, mentor relationship with Izzie, moving to Los Angeles for Private Practice.
The actor played Addison for six seasons in Private Practice and continued to make guest appearances in Grey's Anatomy. Walsh continued to appear in television and films like Bad Judge, Fargo, 13 Reasons Why and more. She recently returned as Addison for Seasons 18 and 19 and will probably keep making cameo appearances on the show. It is fair to say that Addison remains a fan favorite even after all these years. Her recent appearance on the show involved her meeting Derek's children, who were widely loved by fans all over.
9 Katherine Heigl’s Exit Was Smeared With Controversy
Heigl played Izzie Stevens from Seasons 1-6
Although Izzie Stevens was a contentious character to begin with, her abrupt exit in the middle of Season 6 shook the show’s narrative. Despite not being the only character who was written off due to behind-the-scenes controversy, fans felt Izzie still had a lot to offer. After living through the fate of Denny and surviving cancer, Izzie thought it was best to be somewhere far away from the horrors of the Seattle Grace Hospital. The controversy about her exit is now being seen by fans in a new light as the working conditions of the entertainment industry come to light.
Seasons: 1 to 6 (2005-2010)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with Alex, cancer battle, Denny Duquette storyline, leaving Seattle after being fired.
However, the truth was that Heigl’s off-screen attitude wasn’t sitting well with Shonda Rhimes, especially after she dropped out of her Emmy nomination because the actor felt there was insufficient material for her character to be nominated. Heigl received a lot of hate for her decision, which was reportedly considered as taking a jab at the show’s writing or Shonda herself. Since then, Katherine has felt she could have handled the situation better. After leaving Grey’s Anatomy, Heigl continued to take on several big-screen and television projects, including working on Suits, Firefly Lane, Doubt, and more.
8 T.R. Knight’s Departure Involved a Lot of Drama
Knight played George O'Malley
George’s character was a ray of sunshine in what was otherwise a hospital full of dark and twisty surgical interns. T.R. Knight left Grey’s Anatomy at the height of the show’s popularity in Season 5. George’s exit was particularly heartbreaking considering there was still so much space for his character to grow. However, Knight did not feel that way and considered that George’s storyline had hit a standstill and that it was best to end his arc rather than spread it too thin.
Seasons: 1 to 5 (2005-2009)
Notable Storylines: Brief marriage to Callie, relationship with Izzie, joining the army, tragic death saving a stranger.
On top of that, Knight also faced backstage drama with fellow actor Isaiah Washington, who reportedly threw a homophobic slur at him before he came out. His controversial exit in light of Washington's alleged slur has led fans to look back at the challenges LGBTQ+ actors faced in the entertainment industry. The actor later went on to star in different TV shows, including The Good Wife, The Flight Attendant, The Bravest Knight, and more. Despite everything, Knight's character remains a fan-favorite and he returns for a cameo episode in Grey's Anatomy in 2020.
7 Chyler Leigh Decided to Leave for Personal Reasons
Leigh Played Lexie Grey
Chyler's character, Lexie, was one of the most adored characters on the show. Fans were extremely upset when she was written off of Grey's Anatomy. Leigh left the show for two reasons: one being to spend more time with her family. The other reason was she felt Lexie had grown up as much as she could on the show. Just like Sandra, there was no controversy around the actor's exit. She revealed she and Shonda came to the decision mutually and discussed the appropriate story to give the character closure.
Seasons: 3 to 8 (2007-2012)
Notable Storylines: Meredith's half-sister, relationship with Mark, mentor relationship with Derek, death in a plane crash.
Lexie was killed off during the plane crash in Season 8 and fans were upset about the character's death. However, the character did make an appearance in Season 17 in a dream sequence which was highly anticipated by fans. The actor continued to act in projects like Supergirl. Chyler maintains a positive relationship with the show's creators and was happy to be a part of the "special" episode where Lexie got to return.
6 Eric Dane Was Let Go For Financial Reasons
Dane Played Mark Sloan
Eric's character, Mark Sloan, was unlikable at the beginning of the series. However, his charm and wit won many hearts easily. His exit came as a shock to fans but did fit well into the storyline as the love of his life, Lexie, had also died just before him. In contrast to reports earlier, Dane revealed he thinks he was fired from the show rather than it being a decision he made voluntarily. The actor believes it was primarily because of financial reasons, as series regular actors on successful shows become more expensive. However, he returned for a cameo in Season 17 for a dream sequence.
Seasons: 2 to 9 (2006-2012)
Notable Storylines: Relationships with Addison and Lexie, friendship with Derek, fatherhood with Sloan and Sofia, and death from plane crash injuries.
There was some controversy around his exit, but Dane revealed how he was going through substance abuse during his time on the show. He had been sober for several years before the show but relapsed during the 2007 Writers Guild Strike. However, he entered rehab in 2011 when his character was killed off because of injuries sustained during the plane crash that killed Lexie. Shonda Rhimes revealed how the decision was made for the integrity of Mark as a character, because he would never be able to get over the loss of the love of his life. The actor went on to play key characters on television, like The Last Ship and Euphoria.
5 Justin Chambers Wanted to Explore More Opportunities
Chambers played Alex Karev from Seasons 1-16
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Alex may have been introduced as the “devil’s spawn,” but his character ultimately had one of the most significant transformations in the entire series. Alex was a problematic character who was dangling between giving in to his impulsive feelings and trying to be the better man. In the end, he finds his happy ending, but it is not without drama. Chambers’ sudden departure from the show sparked a debate in the fandom about the way his character was written off. Despite his departure, the character remains a fan-favorite and was one of the best character developments on the show.
Seasons: 1 to 16 (2005-2020)
Notable Storylines: Relationships with Izzie and Jo, abrupt departure to be with Izzie and their children.
It seemed utterly abrupt, and viewers felt Alex deserved a more comprehensive and emotional goodbye since he was part of the original group of interns. On the other side of the camera, after playing the role for more than a decade, Chambers was ready to expand his acting horizons and play other roles. Both the showrunners and Chambers felt that Alex’s character had arrived at a point where the show’s narrative wasn’t doing much for his future. After leaving Grey's Anatomy, Chambers briefly appeared as a young Marlon Brando in The Offer, which documented the making of The Godfather.
4 Sara Ramirez Had Given Her All to Callie Torres
Ramirez played Callie Torres from Seasons 2-12
Sara Ramirez’s entry as the enigmatic and charming Callie Torres was much welcomed by fans. They played the famed orthopedic surgeon for 12 seasons and became a fan-favorite character. Callie went through several transitions at Seattle Grace, from facing a terrible accident to fighting for her daughter’s custody. Ultimately, Callie called it quits and went to live with Penny Blake in New York City. She was loved by fans and became the longest-running LGBTQ+ character on a TV show.
Seasons: 2 to 12 (2006-2016)
Notable Storylines: Relationships with George and Arizona, orthopedic surgery innovations, custody battle for Sofia, and moving to New York.
Ramirez reportedly decided to exit Grey's Anatomy after a decade when they felt they had given everything to the character. They felt they had nothing more to offer to Callie Torres, both emotionally and physically. While Ramirez has not returned to the show since then, they have expressed their desire to reprise their role as Callie. After leaving the show, Ramirez worked on several television projects, including And Just Like That… and Madam Secretary. They also lent their talented voice to series like Sofia the First, Vampirina, and more.
3 Sandra Oh Believed It Was Time to Let go
Oh played Cristina Yang from Seasons 1-10
Cristina was one of the best and fiercest characters in Grey’s Anatomy. She was a walking symbol of empowerment, and Oh played her to perfection. There wasn’t much drama surrounding Cristina’s exit, considering her friendship with Meredith was one of the best. Cristina moved to Zurich to become a part of the country’s leading cardiothoracic institute, which is run by Isaiah Washington's Dr. Preston Burke. In reality, Sandra Oh felt it was time for her to move on, as she felt she had given her all to Cristina and there was nothing more to offer.
Seasons: 1 to 10 (2005-2014)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with Burke and Owen, friendship with Meredith, competitive nature in cardiothoracic surgery, PTSD after hospital shooting, plane crash survival, and moving to Switzerland to run a hospital.
Cristina’s exit was one of the most memorable for all the right reasons, since her character felt like it reached a reasonable point in her life. Despite her character leaving the show, Grey's mentioned her time and again when Meredith was around. Fans still wish that Cristina might reunite with Meredith sometime in the show, as all the other characters have returned for a cameo after leaving except Sandra. After the actor left the show in Season 10, she went on to become a celebrated name in the industry, which even landed her a Golden Globe in 2019 for her role in Killing Eve.
2 Patrick Dempsey’s Exit Was The Most Tragic
Dempsey played Derek Shepherd from Seasons 1-11
The neurosurgeon known to fans as Dr. McDreamy and his love story with the beautiful intern, Meredith, were a major part of what made Grey’s Anatomy a hit. That’s why it completely traumatized fans when Derek was killed off in Season 11. He was one of those characters viewers thought would have stayed in the show till the end. However, Dempsey claimed that his character had reached an “organic end” and that the long working hours were limiting his time with his family. The character's death is one of the most heartbreaking moments for fans of the show.
Seasons: 1 to 11 (2005-2015)
Notable Storylines: Relationship with Izzie and Jo, Friendship with Meredith
However, it was later reported in 2021 that the real reason Dempsey was written off was the infighting between Dempsey, Rhimes, and Pompeo, which made it difficult for the actors to work in the later seasons. It was also reported that the actor “terrorized” the set, and the costars weren’t happy with him. Despite what happened years ago, Patrick came back as Derek to Grey's Anatomy for a notable appearance in 2020 for Season 17. After leaving the show, Dempsey appeared in projects like Thanksgiving, Disenchanted, and Devils.
1 Ellen Pompeo Left The Show After 20 Years
Pompeo played Meredith Grey from Seasons 1-19
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Multiple Grey’s Anatomy characters died, left, or were abruptly written off, but the show’s leading lady stuck almost till the end. However, when Ellen Pompeo, who played the character for more than 400 episodes, decided to say goodbye, it shocked the fandom to its core. Playing the character for 19 seasons, the longest-running character in the history of television, Meredith went through hell and back to keep Grey Sloan Memorial standing and becoming a successful surgeon, so to see her leave Grey's Anatomy was devastating for fans.
Pompeo's exit wasn’t controversial, but the actor seemed to think it was time for her to move on. The Grey’s Anatomy star will be appearing in a limited Hulu series, which will mark Pompeo playing another character for the first time since 2005. Despite her teary goodbye, Pompeo claimed in an interview that “it is not a complete goodbye.” She plans to return for guest appearances and to executive produce some episodes. Meredith Grey's exit concluded when her character moved to Boston with her family to work on a cure for Alzheimer’s. She has made a few appearances since then.
