Grey’s Anatomy
Summary
Grey ’s Anatomy , a aesculapian drama known for its enduring success , has seen several of its actors leave the show over its long run . These exits have been brought on by a number of reasons , including personal career aspiration , originative pick , and , in some cases , controversies . The departures of iconic characters have made a heavy impact , often leading to emotional and unexpected patch changes that have shocked audiences . With the smooth nature of the show , the departures of essential mould fellow member have metamorphose numerous factor ofGrey ’s Anatomy .
The groundbreaking aesculapian drama has etch its station in goggle box chronicle . Created by Shonda Rhimes and first airing in 2005 , the series has become a cultural phenomenon , keep for its various cast and complex character relationships . Set in the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle , the show dives into the personal and professional lives of its staff . With its enduring popularity and legion season , it has solidify its status as one of the longest - running and influential medical dramas in television history .
11Jesse Williams
Jesse Williams play Dr. Jackson Avery , joining the form in time of year 6 . A surgical resident specialize in pliant operating theater , his character evolved into a highly skilled surgeon , eventually becoming the Head of Plastic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital . He stay on a key character until time of year 17 when his fictional character decided to move to Boston to top the Catherine Fox Foundation . According to the Hollywood Reporter , Jesse made the decision to exitGrey ’s Anatomyafter realizing his plot line were get to an " organic " modification , and he feel this was the serious move . While he provide as a serial veritable in 2021 , he has appear in a few episodes since .
10Sara Ramirez
Sara Ramirez ’s fibre was Callie Torres , an orthopedical sawbones . Making their first appearance in time of year 2 , Ramirez played the role for a total of ten seasons , from time of year 2 , to their departure at the end of season 12 . Sara Ramirez exitedGrey’sas Callie left Seattle to go New York City with Penny Blake ( Samantha Sloyan ) . Reflecting on their conclusion to straggle the show , Sara say in Variety , " I had make a physical , emotional , mental capacity for play the type — and had sort of lost myself with it . " briefly after their expiration , Ramirez came out as non - binary and has since appear in shows such asAnd Just Like That .
One of the most prominent couple in Grey ’s Anatomy over the course of the show ’s 19 seasons was Callie and Arizona – take on for their history
9Justin Chambers
Justin Chambers ' time onGrey ’s Anatomycame to an end in time of year 16 , with his character Alex deciding to entrust to be with Izzie ( Katherine Heigl ) . At the prison term , Chambers allow for to diversify his acting roles and vocation choice . His final sequence is arguably one of the most babble about , considering his theatrical role ’s going came out of nowhere and did n’t even involve Justin appearing in the episode . This forget many wondering if there was behind the tantrum dramatic event surrounding his expiration , consideringJustin Chamber ’s controversial leavewas so abrupt .
8Chyler Leigh
In time of year 8 , Chyler Leigh , who play Dr. Lexie Grey finish her 4 time of year runnel in time of year 8 , dying after the infamous planer crash episode . Leigh said she made the decision to step away from the show in edict to spend more time with her family . Lexie ’s death is still considered to be one of the most grievous moments in the history ofGrey ’s Anatomy . While Chyler ’s last sequence was in 2012 , returned in season 17 for an episode where Meredith ( Ellen Pompeo ) saw people from her past .
Mark and Lexie had a tragic , too - short time on Grey ’s Anatomy , but for Slexie fans , there ’s always clip to re - watch their best episode .
7Eric Dane
Eric Dane ’s Dr. Mark Sloan , or “ McSteamy ” leftGrey ’s Anatomyin season 9 after his case also died from injuries sustained in the plane . Dane want to explore other act opportunities , and killing Mark was what made sense for the writers and Shonda Rhimes , who explain to TVLine that Mark would never get overLexie ’s death , his sexual love pastime in the show . " I had to do what was correct for the integrity of the theatrical role . ” Shonda has said that Mark is one of her favoriteGrey’scharacters , and she even penned an obituary after his death .
6Isaiah Washington
Isaiah Washington , unlike his other workfellow that chose to leave the show , was fuel fromGrey ’s Anatomyin 2007.Isaiah Washington ’s departurehappens after his character Burke leaves Cristina ( Sandra Oh ) at the altar in the time of year 3 finale . Washington was allow go after call fellow casemate , T.R. Knight an anti - mirthful aspersion on set . In the bookHow to Save a Life : The Inside Story of Grey ’s Anatomy , he also started a physical affray with Patrick Dempsey , at last leading to his dismissal and later was written out of the show completely .
Grey ’s Anatomy said good-by to one of its most darling characters in season 10 : Sandra Oh ’s Cristina Yang . Here ’s why she left the show .
5T.R. Knight
Shortly after Washington ’s discharge , T.R. Knight , who was unwittingly affected by this , made his exit fromGrey’ssoon after . At the end of time of year 5 , Knight go forth the series with his character George pass after saving someone from getting hit by a passenger vehicle . His way out was a jolt specially following the offscreen play . Ultimately , T.R. sidetrack the show after realizing George ’s plot line was gain a standstill . make believe the decision to leave the show during the height of its popularity was something that needed to happen in ordering to feel fulfil in his work , which was n’t happening any longer .
4Sandra Oh
Season 10 is when Cristina Yang , act as by Sandra Oh , decided to say farewell to her time on the show . Her fiber decided to move to Zurich and work at one of the top cardiothoracic hospital , which was founded by Burke . When she annunciate her exit , Sandra order to the Hollywood newsman , " Creatively , I really feel like I gave it my all , and I feel ready to allow her go . " Since leaving the show , Sandra has said multiple time that she has no intention of returning as Cristina , however , her character has been mentioned multiple times , remaining a secure figure of speech within the show ’s history .
Although Cristina Yang is one of Grey ’s Anatomy ’s talented surgeons , she was close to losing her licence after committing a few fireable offenses .
3Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey ended his tenure as Derek Shepherd , or “ McDreamy , ” in time of year 11 withDerek getting kill offafter succumbing to head injuries from a elevator car accident . His character ’s loss " open in a very constituent way , " however in 2021 it was reported by Vanity Fair that he was " terrorize the set , " which led to his exit . There was apparent fighting between him and other cast member . In the bookHow to Save a Life : The Inside Story of Grey ’s Anatomy , Patrick admitted to resent the longsighted work schedule and his complaining was reportedly a reason he and Pompeo did n’t get along in his final seasons .
2Katherine Heigl
One of the mostcontroversial exits was that of Katherine Heigl , who allow the show in the heart of Season 6 . Her character Izzie decides to take a new job aside from Seattle Grace . At the meter , Heigl ’s departure came after several behind - the - scenes controversies where she criticized the show . Notably , she revoke her nominating speech in the 2008 Emmys subspecies , which was see as a criticism of the writers , specifically Shonda Rhimes , which result to Heigl being label as hard to mould with .
Years after Katherine Heigl ’s divergence from Grey ’s Anatomy , Ellen Pompeo has defended her ailment about the show , paving the way for her counter .
