Grey’s Anatomy, a medical 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 aspirations, creative choices, and, in some cases, controversies. The departures of iconic characters have made a big impact, often leading to emotional and unexpected plot changes that have shocked audiences. With the fluid nature of the show, the departures of essential cast members have transformed numerous elements of Grey’s Anatomy.
The groundbreaking medical drama has etched its place in television history. Created by Shonda Rhimes and first airing in 2005, the series has become a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its diverse 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 numerous seasons, it has solidified its status as one of the longest-running and influential medical dramas in television history.
3. Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Dempsey ended his tenure as Derek Shepherd, or “McDreamy,” in season 11 with Derek getting killed off after succumbing to head injuries from a car accident. His character’s exit “unfolded in a very organic way,” however in 2021 it was reported by Vanity Fair that he was “terrorizing the set,” which led to his exit. There was apparent fighting between him and other cast members. In the book How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy, Patrick admitted to resenting the long work schedule and his complaining was reportedly a reason he and Pompeo didn’t get along in his final seasons.
2. Katherine Heigl
One of the most controversial exits was that of Katherine Heigl, who left the show in the middle of Season 6. Her character Izzie decides to take a new job away from Seattle Grace. At the time, Heigl’s departure came after several behind-the-scenes controversies where she criticized the show. Notably, she rescinded her nomination in the 2008 Emmys race, which was seen as a criticism of the writers, specifically Shonda Rhimes, which led to Heigl being labeled as difficult to work with.
1. Ellen Pompeo
Ellen Pompeo played Meredith Grey, lead of Grey’s Anatomy. Pompeo recently left the show as a series regular due to her character’s move to Boston. After more than 400 episodes, Pompeo wanted the freedom to explore other projects. Pompeo is currently slated to star in a new limited Hulu series, which will be her first time playing a different character since the show started in 2005. While she’s not in every episode anymore, Pompeo is still an executive producer and provides voice overs. “It’s not a complete goodbye,” Pompeo said in Variety’s Actors on Actors episode. Despite the number of character departures, including its lead, Grey’s Anatomy still remains one of the best shows on tv.
