Here's Why These Stars Quit Grey's Anatomy

When Patrick Dempsey's character, Dr. Derek Shepherd, died a hero's death on Grey's Anatomy Season 11 Episode 21, "How To Save A Life," it inspired many articles about the future of the show, not to mention a Time article about grieving fictional characters. Fans who follow the show closely probably saw it coming. Dempsey told Portland Press Herald in November 2014 that he would leave the show "very soon." Meanwhile, Page Six concurrently claimed that Dempsey was suspended from the show at the time, because he had "been acting like a diva and has clashed with [showrunner] Shonda [Rhimes]." Thereafter, he made occasional appearances in Seasons 10 and 11, with his overall absence explained by the character's job with the president in Washington, D.C. 

In his exit interview with Entertainment Weekly Dempsey said of his departure, "It just sort of unfolded in a very organic way." He evaded questions about conflict on set. He was going through a divorce at the time (he has since reconciled with wife Jillian Fink) and did mention the toll his role took on his family. "Your kid asks you, 'What are you doing
 on Monday?' and you go, 'I don't know,' because I don't know my schedule. Doing that for 11 years is challenging." ABC's statement read, "Patrick Dempsey is moving on to pursue other interests." Rhimes mostly focused on the character of Dr. Shepherd, but she did praise "Dempsey's performance." Dempsey has since returned to the show in Meredith's COVID-induced dreams.

Isiah Washington portrayed Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy until 2007. One of his character's most notable moments was when he left Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) at the altar on the Season 3 finale. Washington's real-life departure from the show was even more dramatic. He was dismissed after using a homophobic slur twice in the span of three months. According to The New York Times, Washington reportedly first used the slur in reference to co-star T.R. Knight, during a spat with Patrick Dempsey. Knight then came out as gay as a result of the incident. Then, Washington bizarrely repeated the word was at a press conference after the Golden Globes, while denying he called Knight the slur.

"We have a longstanding policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees," ABC said in a statement, adding, "We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology."

Washington issued many more public apologies, but it wasn't enough. He later told Entertainment Weekly, "I'm saddened by the outcome. I did everything that the producers and the network asked me to do. I came back under great duress and stress, and thought I was doing the job I was hired to do." He returned to the show seven years later so his character could facilitate Cristina's exit.

One of the most surprising exits in Grey's Anatomy history is that of Justin Chambers, who played Dr. Alex Karev for 16 seasons (15 years) before announcing his exit in January 2020. "There's no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that's defined so much of my life for the past 15 years," his statement read (via Deadline). "For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time."

It was in the middle of a season (so most likely the middle of a contract) when his character abruptly left his wife, Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington), so we suspect something more than a career change was afoot. Showrunner Krista Vernoff's statement on Twitter focused mostly on Chambers' character, however she did say she "loved watching" his "nuanced portrayal." Multiple sources told Page Six, however, that Chambers was seeking treatment for his mental health at the time, and that the show may have been a trigger. "Justin was at Privé-Swiss being treated for stress, depression and life-coaching. There is a lot going on with ['Grey's Anatomy"] behind-the-scenes right now," said one source. Neither Chambers nor that facility have commented on that speculation. We here at Nicki Swift just wish him well.

T.R. Knight was unfortunately placed in the middle of Grey's Anatomy behind-the-scenes drama when he was the alleged victim of hate speech by cast member Isiah Washington. But he told Entertainment Weekly that he left the show about two years later because he thought his character George O'Malley deserved a better story. "My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about George]," he explained, adding, "And with respect, I'm going to leave it at that." Per EW, the actor only appeared in 48 minutes of "the first nine episodes of season 5." That's drastically less screen-time than his co-stars got the same season.

He also expressed to EW that Shonda Rhimes seemed weary about his choice to come out, which may have strained their working relationship. "I think she was concerned about having my statement come out so close to the [initial] event." Rhimes denied this, saying, "I remember saying to [executive producer] Betsy Beers, 'This is our proudest day here. T.R. got to come out, and I got to say to him that it wouldn't affect his character' — because he was concerned that he was going to come out and George would suddenly be gay."

George's death was sad, but Knight did return to the show in 2020 to appear in Meredith's dreams. "George O'Malley will always claim my heart," he said in a statement on Instagram about his return.

Brooke Smith played Dr. Erica Hahn on Grey's Anatomy from Season 2 until she made an abrupt exit in Season 5. She played Dr. Callie Torres' (Sara Ramirez) first female love interest,  and ABC reportedly had issues with the direction of their storyline. "I really hoped we were going to show what happens when two women fall in love and that they were going to treat it like any heterosexual couple on TV," said Smith in an exit interview with Entertainment Weekly. "And so I was surprised and disappointed when they just suddenly told me that they couldn't write for my character anymore." Smith said that reporter Michael Ausiello warned her that the network might "get cold feet” with an LBGTQIA relationship, even in 2008. She said she thinks that's exactly what happened, and that she was "shocked" to be let go as executives had told her she was doing great work.

Shonda Rhimes later confirmed the reason Smith was let go. "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian," she told EW, adding, "Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."

Kate Walsh left Seattle-Grace Hospital in 2007 so that her character, Dr. Addison Montgomery, could move to California — but she didn't leave the Grey's Anatomy universe. She simply got the spin-off, Private Practice. When she landed the show, there were reports of jealousy. "The rest of the cast seemed instantly resentful of (Walsh)," a source told Star (via Today). "They each thought they'd be the one chosen to get their own show, and now they're giving Kate the cold shoulder." Strangely, Ellen Pompeo was reportedly most upset. "[She] seemed particularly peeved because she felt that, as the star, she should have been consulted."

Dr. Montgomery would visit Seattle from time to time until Private Practice ended in 2013, but as recently as 2019, she hinted to PopCulture.com she's open to returning to Grey's Anatomy. "If it's the right time and the right storyline, yes. I always considered Shondaland my home, and particularly Grey's. That's where it was just a big important piece of my life, and I love everyone involved on the show. So, absolutely I would go back if it made sense to everybody involved — yes." Season 17 seems to be the year fellow former casemates are returning, but Walsh isn't among them — yet.