In the years since Meredith from Grey’s Anatomy boldly declared “pick me, choose me, love me,” many stars have made their exits from the hit series. As the new season begins, it’s a perfect time to reconnect with the show’s original cast members.
In real life, actor Justin Chambers, who played Alex Karev, shared that his kids have grown up significantly, with his eldest daughter nearing 30. He expressed pride in his children’s achievements and kindness. Chambers himself left the show in 2020, after 16 seasons, and has since enjoyed more family time and career opportunities, including portraying Marlon Brando in the 2022 mini-series, The Offer.
Ellen Pompeo, who portrayed Meredith Grey for 19 seasons, announced her departure in 2022 but remains involved as a narrator and executive producer. Show creator Shonda Rhimes mentioned the bittersweet nature of Pompeo’s exit, noting she can return anytime.
Numerous other former cast members have pursued various endeavors. Isaiah Washington, whose character Preston Burke left after an on-set controversy, returned briefly years later and starred in The 100 and P-Valley. Edward Herrmann, who played Intern Norman, continued acting until his death in 2014. Kali Rocha (Dr. Sydney Heron) pursued roles in Liv and Maddie, Man with a Plan, and Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Significant story arcs, such as George O’Malley’s tragic heroism and the controversial exits of characters like Izzie Stevens, who started a family with Alex off-screen, were compelling parts of the show. The actors behind these roles, like T.R. Knight and Katherine Heigl, have gone on to star in various other TV series and films.
The emotional storylines continued with notable departures like Lexie Grey and Mark Sloan, both of whom returned for cameo appearances during Meredith’s COVID-19 coma.
Patrick Dempsey’s (Derek Shepherd) storyline ended tragically, with the character’s unexpected death. Dempsey later expressed his desire for more family time as a reason for leaving the show and has since worked on various projects, including a potential Enchanted sequel.
Many other characters, like Sandra Oh’s Cristina Yang and Jerrika Hinton’s Stephanie Edwards, found their happy endings and new beginnings through various career advancements or storyline arcs. The actors have continued to find success in new roles and series.
As Grey’s Anatomy’s 21st season approaches, it’s clear that the departure of its stars hasn’t diminished their impact on viewers or their subsequent careers.