• ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy is currently in its 22nd season.
• Throughout its run, the medical drama has said goodbye to fan-favorite characters like Patrick Dempsey’s McDreamy and Sandra Oh’s Cristina Yang.
• Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. are the only original stars still on the series.

Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke (seasons 1–3)

Isaiah Washington starred on the first three seasons of Grey’s as ace surgeon Dr. Preston Burke. His tenure ended when the actor was fired for allegedly calling his costar, T.R. Knight, a homophobic slur. At the time, he told Entertainment Weekly that he was ” saddened by the outcome.”

Despite the controversy, Washington reprised his role as Preston in season 10.

Since his firing, Washington starred on The 100 (2014–2018) and P-Valley (2020–2022), and made his directorial debut with 2022’s Corsicana, which he also co-wrote and starred in. On Feb. 28, 2023, Washington announced his retirement from the entertainment industry.

“It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today,” he wrote in a post on X.

Washington explained that he was “no longer interested in the back and forth regarding a ‘color construct’ that keeps us human beings divided nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic.”

He shared that he planned to focus on traveling “this great country before it falls into Socialism and then Communism.”

T. R. Knight as George O’Malley (seasons 1–5)

T.R. Knight received an Emmy nomination for his five-season run as Dr. George O’Malley. In an interview with EW, Knight explained that he chose to leave Grey’s due to creative differences and issues with his storyline.

“There just comes a time when it’s so clear that moving on is the best decision,” he said.

At the time, his castmate Katherine Heigl tried to persuade him to stay. “I didn’t think it was the right decision,” she told EW. “I felt like some of the problems could be worked through. But by the time it came to fruition, I was [glad] for him because he was ready to go.”

In what we previously called the “most shocking moment in Grey’s history,” George perished in the season 5 finale after being dragged under a bus. In 2020, the character returned (as a ghost) to chat with Meredith about grief.

Knight has remained a familiar face on TV in the years since his original departure, with meaty roles on shows like The Good Wife (2012–2013), 11/22/63 (2016), and The Flight Attendant (2020–2022).

Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens (seasons 1–6)

Katherine Heigl won an Emmy in 2007 for playing Dr. Izzie Stevens on Grey’s, then turned heads the following year after pulling herself from consideration, saying she didn’t think her work in season 4 was worthy of a nod. The declaration sparked a backlash and fed into rumors that she was difficult to work with. Heigl would leave the series after its sixth season.

The actress later said she regrets how the situation unfolded. “I am disappointed in myself for allowing that perception to exist,” she told EW in 2010. “There’s nothing more gross than [the idea of] somebody in my position being ungrateful… And I hope that in the coming years I can change people’s minds about that. The six years [she spent on Grey’s] were important years, and I don’t want them to be demeaned.”

Over the past 15 years, Heigl’s appeared in movies like One for the Money (2012) and Jenny’s Wedding (2015). She also played Samantha Wheeler in the last two seasons of Suits (2018–2019), and served as both star and producer on Netflix’s Firefly Lane (2021–2023).

Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang (seasons 1–10)

Sandra Oh became a fan favorite on Grey’s Anatomy as Cristina Yang, Meredith’s best friend and an elite cardiothoracic surgeon. After winning a Golden Globe and earning five Emmy nominations for her performance, Oh ended her 10-season run in 2014. Fans still long for her return.

“It’s so funny. Every year, it’s like I hear that I’m coming back to the show,” Oh told EW in 2018. “But what I realize is, in a way that I’m really pleased and grateful for, is that the show is continuing on with its life, and that the show and the people who are still attached to the show are still attached to Cristina. It means a lot to me.”

Oh has since taken on several high-profile projects, most notably starring in the acclaimed series Killing Eve, which earned her a Golden Globe in 2019. The actress also appeared on the Robert Downey Jr.-led HBO miniseries The Sympathizer (2024).

She’s also a go-to voice performer, contributing to Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018–2020), Amazon Prime’s Invincible (2021–present), and Pixar’s Turning Red (2022).

Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd (seasons 1–11)

Patrick Dempsey set hearts aflutter as Derek Shepherd, a.k.a. McDreamy, in Grey’s Anatomy‘s first 11 seasons. His romance with Meredith became one of the show’s most popular storylines, which made his sudden death in season 11 all the more devastating. He returned in season 17, appearing in Meredith’s dream sequences while she was on a ventilator battling COVID-19.

In a 2015 interview with EW, Dempsey reflected on closing this chapter. “I knew it would be heavy like that. I didn’t realize until we did our interview that it was really over,” the actor said. “It started to dawn on me that this is coming to an end, which is why I think I was so moved by it. It was the first time I really stepped back and was starting to witness and to reflect on what had happened.”

Since leaving the series, Dempsey has taken on a range of film and TV roles, with starring turns in movies like Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) and Disenchanted (2022) and the series Dexter: Original Sin (2024–2025).

Outside of acting, Dempsey is a competitive race car driver and owner of Dempsey Racing.

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev (seasons 1–16)

Justin Chambers’ Dr. Alex Karev was a cornerstone of Grey’s Anatomy for its first 16 seasons, transforming from one of the most disliked surgical interns to the Head of Pediatric Surgery. In his final episode, Alex leaves Seattle for Kansas to be with Izzie and their kids.

Chambers announced his exit in January 2020, explaining that he wanted to “diversify my acting roles and career choices.” In 2022, he took on the larger-than-life role of Marlon Brando on the Paramount+ miniseries The Offer (2022). Most recently, he appeared on a 2024 episode of the Fox anthology series Accused.

Eric Dane as Mark Sloan (seasons 2–9)

Eric Dane portrayed Mark Sloan, a.k.a. McSteamy, a womanizing plastic surgeon on Grey’s. After years of hooking up with colleagues and fighting for his friendship with McDreamy, Mark died early in season 9 from injuries sustained in a season 8 plane crash.

Following his and Dr. Lexie Grey’s (Chyler Leigh) deaths, the hospital was renamed Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in their honor. Like Knight and Dempsey, Dane reprised his role during one of Meredith’s season 17 fever dreams in 2021.

In 2024, Dane revealed on the Armchair Expert podcast that he was “let go” from the series. He admitted he was “struggling” with addiction at the time, though he clarified that it wasn’t the reason for his exit. Dane said the real factor was money: “I was starting to become … very expensive for the network,” he explained.

Since then, Dane has appeared on shows like The Last Ship (2014–2018) and films such as Americana (2023), Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024), and One Fast Move (2024). He’s also received ample acclaim for his incendiary turn as the cruel Cal Jacobs on HBO’s Euphoria (2019–present).

In April 2025, Dane publicly announced his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). He’s spoken openly about the journey, telling Diane Sawyer in June that he completely lost function in his right arm and that his left was weakening. In September, he told California congressman Eric Swalwell that he will fight ALS “until the last breath.”

“I wanna ring every bell,” he said in a TikTok video shared by the politician. “I have two daughters at home. I wanna see them graduate college, get married, maybe have grandkids. I wanna be there for all that. So, I’m gonna fight until the last breath on this one.”

Dane is set to guest star on the Nov. 24 episode of NBC’s medical drama Brilliant Minds as Matthew Rimati, a firefighter and 9/11 hero who has also been diagnosed with ALS.

Brooke Smith as Erica Hahn (seasons 2–5)

Brooke Smith brought cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Erica Hahn to life for three seasons on Grey’s Anatomy. The character briefly dated orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) before abruptly leaving the series in season 5.

At the time, rumors suggested ABC executives “had issues” with Erica and Callie’s relationship, but Rhimes has since clarified that wasn’t the case. She said in a statement (per EW) that the decision was about story direction and onscreen chemistry, not the character’s sexuality.

Smith has been prolific in the years since, with supporting roles in To the Bone (2017) and Bombshell (2019), as well as the series Ray Donovan (2013–2015), Big Sky (2020–2021), Class of ’09 (2023), and The Recruit (2025).

Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery (seasons 2–3)

Kate Walsh’s Dr. Addison Montgomery, Derek’s ex-wife and a renowned neonatal surgeon, debuted in season 1 before joining the main cast for seasons 2 and 3.

She went on to play Addison on Grey’s spinoff Private Practice (2006–2013), and routinely reprised the character on multiple seasons of the mothership.

Walsh has since become a Netflix regular, starring on the series 13 Reasons Why (2017–2019), The Umbrella Academy (2019–2024), and Emily in Paris (2020–2022).

Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey (seasons 3–8)

Chyler Leigh starred as Dr. Lexie Grey, Meredith’s half-sister and a surgical resident, for five seasons. She had an on-and-off romance with McSteamy, which came to a heartbreaking end due to the infamous plane crash that ended season 8. Leigh later returned as a special guest ghost in season 17.

Leigh went on to become a fixture of the Arrowverse, appearing as Alex Danvers on Supergirl (2015–2021), The Flash (2017, 2021), and Legends of Tomorrow (2017, 2020).

Leigh currently stars on (and executive produces) Hallmark’s The Way Home (2023–present).

Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins (seasons 5–14)

Jessica Capshaw spent years on Grey’s as Dr. Arizona Robbins, a pediatric surgeon who was part of one of primetime TV’s first lesbian weddings. Capshaw was let go from the show in 2018, making her final appearance as a series regular in the season 14 finale. Capshaw returned for a guest spot in season 20.

When news of her exit broke, Capshaw addressed it on X: “For the past 10 years I have had the rare privilege of not only playing Arizona Robbins but also being madly in love with playing her,” she wrote.

“She was one of the first members of the LGBTQ community to be represented as a series-regular role on network television. Her impact on the world is permanent and forever. Forever,” Capshaw added. “I am grateful that I have gotten to bring her to life and for the life that she has brought to me. I am sad to see her go, but I am consoled by the idea that she will continue to live on and on in all of our consciences and our imaginations. Shonda, thank you for the ride on this incredible rollercoaster.”

Since leaving, Capshaw has kept busy with a mix of movies and TV roles, including Holidate (2020), Dear Zoe (2022), and Tell Me Lies (2022). She currently stars on ABC’s 9-1-1: Nashville and cohosts the Call It What It Is podcast with her best friend (and current Grey’s star) Camilla Luddington.

Sarah Drew as April Kepner (seasons 6–14)

Sarah Drew spent nine years playing Dr. April Kepner on Grey’s Anatomy before saying goodbye in the season 14 finale. She briefly returned in the season 18 finale to reveal she and her ex-husband, Dr. Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams), had reconciled.

In late 2024, Drew appeared on the Call It What It Is podcast, claiming that she and Capshaw were “unceremoniously let go in a way that felt mean and unjust.” She previously told the Hollywood Reporter that the decision stemmed from the series having “too many characters and that they needed to downsize because they couldn’t service all of the characters effectively.”

She has since found her way to Hallmark, starring in a number of their original movies and headlining the network’s holiday mystery series Mistletoe Murders (2024-present). Drew also wrote, directed, and starred in the Lifetime movie Reindeer Games Homecoming (2022).

Jesse Williams as Jackson Avery (seasons 6–17)

Jesse Williams joined Grey’s Anatomy during season 6 as Dr. Jackson Avery, a plastic surgeon who later became a series regular. Throughout the series, viewers watched Avery rise through the ranks to lead the department and navigate a series of relationships before settling down with April.

After more than a decade, Williams left Grey’s at the end of season 17. However, he returned as a guest star in seasons 18, 19, 21, and 22.

When Williams spoke with EW in 2021 about his season 17 exit, he revealed that the timing and nature of his exit were the result of a collaboration between himself and the writers.

“I feel really honored by having the opportunity to really form a story with our writers that honors the character and the characters around him, that world, and also has a connection to the real world,” Williams shared, adding that he “directly impacted the dialogue” for many of his final scenes.

Post-Grey’s, Williams has thrown himself into a wide variety of roles. He headed to Broadway to lead and executive produce the Tony-winning revival of Take Me Out (2022–2023), and showed up in films like Your Place or Mine (2023) and The Great Lillian Hall (2024).

Williams also found his way back to TV, appearing in season 3 of Only Murders in the Building (2023) before taking on the lead role on the Amazon Prime Video miniseries Hotel Costiera (2025).

Giacomo Gianniotti as Andrew DeLuca (seasons 12–17)

Giacomo Gianniotti guested as Dr. Andrew DeLuca in Grey’s Anatomy season 11 before joining the main cast the following year. DeLuca was killed off in the seventh episode of season 17, “Helplessly Hoping,” while trying to take down a sex trafficking operation.

Gianniotti told EW that he knew about his character’s death for some time. He spoke with showrunner Krista Vernoff and executive producer Debbie Allen about how to handle the storyline in a way that would raise awareness for human trafficking.

“The fact that he gets to die a hero and for a noble cause, I think is nice and very DeLuca,” the actor said. “DeLuca is known for thrusting himself into danger, doing unorthodox things to save his patients, and standing up for people. So he wasn’t doing anything out of character. It didn’t feel forced. It was totally DeLuca.”

After departing the show, Gianniotti starred as the title character in the Italian Diabolik franchise (2022–2023), as well as the shows Deceitful Love (2022) and Wild Cards (2024–present).

Jake Borelli as Levi Schmitt (seasons 15–21)

Jake Borelli debuted on Grey’s in season 14 as Dr. Levi Schmitt, and was upped to series regular the following season. Over the course of the show, his character grew both personally and professionally, most notably through his relationship with orthopedic surgeon Nico Kim (Alex Landi) and his rise to chief resident.

In May 2024, Deadline reported that Borelli was leaving the show due to budget cuts. Borelli addressed his departure that November, writing on Instagram that he was “heartbroken” when he learned he wouldn’t be returning.

“I can’t tell you how grateful I am to have shared this experience with all of you over the last 8 years,” he said. “I was heartbroken when I found out this storyline was coming to an end, but I will never take for granted just how much this character has done for not only myself but for people all over the world.”

Borelli continued, “When I was growing up, the idea of seeing an out gay man play such a well rounded, fully formed, and courageous gay character felt like a pipe dream for me. I never would have guessed that I would be the one to get the opportunity to do just that. … I love you all and I will continue to champion authentic queer stories till the very end.”

After leaving Grey’s, Borelli announced he would make his directorial debut with the film IGNIS.