Family Encyclopedia >> Entertainment

Grey's Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

Grey’s Anatomy is already in its 16th season , and over the years many actors have joined the series but also left it. A quick look back at what happened to the former surgeons at Seattle Grace Hospital.

In 2005, the whole world discovered for the first time Meredith Gray and all the doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital. Today, Grey's Anatomy is renewed for a 17th season. It has long since become the longest-running medical series in television history. But over those 15 years, many characters have left the show, often after their character's terrible death. A brief summary of what has become of the leading actors of Grey's Anatomy . Attention for those who have not seen the series, this article contains many spoilers!

Isaiah Washington aka Dr. Preston Burke

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

In 2007, Isaiah Washington was fired from Grey's Anatomy , after two years in the character of Preston Burke. He reportedly made homophobic remarks to his colleague T. R. Knight who played Dr. George O'Malley. The latter had to make his coming-out forced a few days after that.

Since then, Isaiah Washington has not left the film sets. He held one of the main roles in the series The 100 for nearly four years. Grey's Anatomy Fans even had the chance to see him again in their favorite series because in 2014, he made an appearance for an episode.

Kate Walsh aka Dr. Addison Montgomery

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

When Kate Walsh made her first appearance in Grey's Anatomy , it must be said that the fans were not delighted. As Meredith Gray and Derek Shepherd began their romance, the showrunners have decided to shake up their idyll by bringing back the wife of the latter :Addison Montgomery. But over the seasons, she has conquered the hearts of viewers and has become one of the favorite characters of the series. She leaves Seattle Grace Hospital at the end of Season 3 but will make numerous hospital appearances.

She has since had the lead role in Private Practice , one of the spin-offs by Grey's Anatomy for 6 years. She also starred in the shock Netflix series , 13 reasons why , as well as in Umbrella Academy and more recently, she participated in the series Emily in Paris.

T. R. Knight aka Dr. George O'Malley

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

The end of the 5th season of Grey's Anatomy remained in the memories of all fans of the series. George O'Malley, one of the public's favorite characters, tragically dies after being hit by a bus when he had just saved a woman . This death will greatly affect the doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital.

Since leaving the show, T. R. Knight has made a few appearances on television series, including The Good Wife or The Catch . In 2017, he obtained a role in the two seasons of the series Genius, the first of which traces the life of Albert Einstein while the second focuses on Picasso.

Katherine Heigl aka Dr. Izzie Stevens

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

For nearly 5 years, Katherine Heigl played Dr. Izzie Stevens. After her departure, we will not know what became of her until episode 16 of season 16, where we then learn her fate via that of Dr. Alex Karev. This episode is one of the most controversial of the series , with fans widely crying foul after it aired.

Katherine Heigl has decided to leave Grey's Anatomy to try to make a name for himself in the cinema. Unfortunately, her career as an actress of the seventh art will not really take off. In 2012, she even asked to join the Seattle Grace Hospital again. ,request which will be denied by series creator Shonda Rimes. By chance, she gets one of the main roles in the series Suits:tailor-made lawyers after the departure of Meghan Markle.

Chyler Leigh aka Dr. Lexie Grey

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

Another character who dies tragically. Lexi Gray dies in the horrific episode of the plane crash of season 8. A death that will affect very deeply all the hospital staff but more particularly her sister Meredith as well as her companion Mark.

Since leaving Grey's Anatomy , she no longer had any notable television roles. However, she revealed her bipolarity, as well as her bisexuality.

Eric Dane aka Dr. Mark Sloan

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

Another heartbreaking death from Grey's Anatomy. Dr. Mark Sloane is also a victim of the terrible plane crash of season 8. He will die of his numerous injuries. After Grey's Anatomy, he has a main role in the series The Last Ship. In 2019 we could find him in the phenomenon series Euphoria.

Sandra Oh aka Cristina Yang

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

When Christina Yang decided to leave the hospital at the end of season 10, fans were inconsolable . However, her name comes up often in the series, although she is no longer seen. Since her departure, Sandra Oh has been able to bounce back and obtain one of the two main roles in the series Killing Eve . In 2019, she received the Golden Globes for Best Actress for her role as Eve Polastri.

And for fans of Grey's Anatomy who would love to see her again in her role as Cristina Yang, the actress has just shattered your dreams forever. She answered questions from ET Canada who asked her if she planned to return to Seattle Grace Hospital :

Patrick Dempsey aka Dr. Derek Shepherd

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

Patrick Dempsey held one of the most important roles in Grey's Anatomy :that of Dr. Derek Shepherd. And his death was one of the most terrible of the series. At the end of season 11, Dr. Mamour tries to help the victims of a road accident, before being hit by a car himself.

After leaving the show, Patrick Dempsey landed the lead role in the miniseries The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair taken from the eponymous book by Joël Dicker. At the same time, he is passionate about motor racing. He even took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Sara Ramírez aka Dr. Callie Torres

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

Dr. Callies Torres was lucky:her character did not have a fatal outcome . She simply decides at the end of season 12 to leave the hospital to settle in New York.

Sara Ramìrez has actually decided to “take a break”. Since then, she plays the role of Kat Sandoval in the series Madam Secretary produced by Morgan Freeman

Jessica Capshaw aka Dr. Arizona Robbins

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

At the end of season 13, Dr. Arizona Robbins decides to join the woman she loves, Callie Torres in New York. So she leaves Grey’s Anatomy.

And since she left her character, Jessica Çapshaw left aside the film sets until 2020, where we could find her in the Netflix film Holidate alongside Emma Robert.

Sarah Drew aka Dr. April Kepner

Grey s Anatomy:what happened to the actors who left the series?

It was a start that surprised everyone. Like her colleague Arizona Robbins, Dr. April Kepner left Grey’s Anatomy . However, his interpreter Sarah Drew revealed that this choice was not his. She told the Hollywood Reporter:

However, you will be able to find it on your screens in 2021. She will hold the main role of the series The Republic of Sarah.

If you are still marked by these departures, you still have the chance to find in Grey's Anatomy characters present from the beginning:Meredith Grey, Miranda Bailey or Richard Webber. And that is priceless!

You can also find out what happened to the actors of other series like 7 à la Maison.