‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Stars Who Left the Show: Where Are They Now?

The long-running medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ has seen numerous cast members come and go over its extensive history on television. Fans often grow attached to the surgeons of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital only to watch them depart for new ventures or tragic endings. Many of these actors utilized the platform to launch successful careers in film and other television series while others pursued theater or directing. Tracking their current projects reveals a diverse array of roles across different genres in the entertainment industry.

Patrick Dempsey

Patrick Dempsey departed the medical drama after eleven seasons playing Dr. Derek Shepherd. He shifted his focus toward auto racing and film roles including the romantic comedy sequel ‘Bridget Jones’s Baby’. Dempsey later returned to television for the financial thriller series ‘Devils’ and starred in the movie ‘Disenchanted’. He recently played Piero Taruffi in the biographical sports film ‘Ferrari’.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Oh left her role as Dr. Cristina Yang after ten seasons to pursue other creative opportunities. She achieved critical acclaim and multiple awards for her lead performance in the spy thriller series ‘Killing Eve’. Oh voiced characters in animated films such as ‘Over the Moon’ and ‘Turning Red’. Her recent credits include the comedy film ‘Quiz Lady’ and the post-apocalyptic series ‘The Sympathizer’.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl exited the show during its sixth season following her portrayal of Dr. Izzie Stevens. She starred in several romantic comedies before returning to television in the legal drama ‘Suits’. Heigl later produced and starred in the drama series ‘Firefly Lane’ which ran for two seasons. She is set to appear in the upcoming thriller movie ‘That’s Amore’ alongside John Travolta.

Justin Chambers

Justin Chambers played Dr. Alex Karev for sixteen seasons as one of the original cast members. He stepped away from the long-running medical drama to diversify his acting roles and focus on personal endeavors. Chambers portrayed Marlon Brando in the biographical miniseries ‘The Offer’ about the making of ‘The Godfather’. This marked his first major television role since leaving the hospital drama.

T.R. Knight

T.R. Knight left his role as Dr. George O’Malley early in the series run to return to theater work. He later appeared in television projects such as ‘The Good Wife’ and the miniseries ‘11.22.63’. Knight reunited with former showrunner Shonda Rhimes for a role in the drama series ‘The Catch’. He recently played a recurring character in the mystery thriller series ‘The Flight Attendant’.

Eric Dane

Eric Dane played plastic surgeon Dr. Mark Sloan until his character was written out at the start of season nine. He secured a lead role as Tom Chandler in the post-apocalyptic action drama ‘The Last Ship’. Dane gained attention for his portrayal of Cal Jacobs in the teen drama series ‘Euphoria’. His film credits include the horror movie ‘The Ravine’ and the action film ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die’.

Chyler Leigh

Chyler Leigh exited the medical drama after five seasons playing Dr. Lexie Grey. She subsequently joined the cast of the superhero series ‘Supergirl’ where she played Alex Danvers for six seasons. Leigh reprised this role across several other shows within the same fictional universe. She currently stars in and produces the time travel drama series ‘The Way Home’.

Sara Ramirez

Sara Ramirez played orthopedic surgeon Dr. Callie Torres for ten seasons before taking a break from the industry. They eventually returned to television as a series regular on the political drama ‘Madam Secretary’. Ramirez later starred as Che Diaz in the ‘Sex and the City’ sequel series ‘And Just Like That…’. They continue to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights while pursuing various acting projects.

Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams portrayed Dr. Jackson Avery for twelve seasons before leaving to explore other artistic avenues. He made his Broadway debut in the play ‘Take Me Out’ which earned him a Tony Award nomination. Williams appeared in the mystery comedy series ‘Only Murders in the Building’ alongside Martin Short and Steve Martin. He also directs episodes for television and acts in films such as ‘Your Place or Mine’.

Jessica Capshaw

Jessica Capshaw played pediatric surgeon Dr. Arizona Robbins for ten seasons before her departure. She took time off to spend with her family before returning to the screen in the romantic comedy ‘Holidate’. Capshaw appeared in the first season of the drama series ‘Tell Me Lies’. She recently launched a podcast called ‘Call It What It Is’ with her former co-star Camilla Luddington.

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington departed the series after the third season following his portrayal of cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Preston Burke. He later joined the main cast of the post-apocalyptic science fiction drama ‘The 100’ as Thelonious Jaha. Washington appeared in the critically acclaimed drama series ‘P-Valley’ as Mayor Tydell Ruffin. He recently directed and starred in the western film ‘Corsicana’ playing Bass Reeves.

Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh originally left the show to lead the successful spinoff series ‘Private Practice’ as Dr. Addison Montgomery. She gained significant popularity for her roles in the hit series ’13 Reasons Why’ and the superhero drama ‘The Umbrella Academy’. Walsh portrays the marketing executive Madeline Wheeler in the popular comedy series ‘Emily in Paris’. She occasionally returns to the hospital drama for guest appearances while balancing her other television projects.

Sarah Drew

Sarah Drew played Dr. April Kepner for nine seasons before her character resigned to provide medical care for homeless communities. She went on to star in the anthology thriller series ‘Cruel Summer’ and the family sitcom ‘Amber Brown’. Drew has become a frequent producer and star of television movies for the Hallmark Channel including ‘Guiding Emily’. She recently landed a lead role in the drama series ‘Mistletoe Murders’.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Jeffrey Dean Morgan captivated audiences as heart patient Denny Duquette before his character met a tragic end. He achieved massive success playing the villainous Negan in the horror drama series ‘The Walking Dead’. Morgan reprised this iconic role in the spinoff series ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ set in Manhattan. He also joined the cast of the superhero satire series ‘The Boys’ for its fourth season.

Jerrika Hinton

Jerrika Hinton exited the medical drama after five seasons playing the talented surgical resident Dr. Stephanie Edwards. She secured a main role in the drama series ‘Here and Now’ shortly after leaving the hospital setting. Hinton later starred as Millie Morris in the conspiracy drama series ‘Hunters’ alongside Al Pacino. She recently appeared in the limited drama series ‘A Man in Full’ based on the Tom Wolfe novel.

Martin Henderson

Martin Henderson played cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Nathan Riggs for two seasons as a love interest for Meredith Grey. He found major success as the lead character Jack Sheridan in the romantic drama series ‘Virgin River’. Henderson starred in the horror film ‘X’ as the character Wayne Gilroy. He continues to work steadily in both film and television productions in the United States and New Zealand.

Giacomo Gianniotti

Giacomo Gianniotti portrayed Dr. Andrew DeLuca until his character was killed during a pursuit of a sex trafficker. He voiced a character in the animated film ‘Luca’ and starred in the Italian crime film ‘Diabolik’. Gianniotti secured the lead role of Cole Ellis in the police procedural series ‘Wild Cards’. He also appeared in the limited drama series ‘From Scratch’ alongside Zoe Saldana.

Scott Foley

Scott Foley played the charming patient Henry Burton who married Dr. Teddy Altman before passing away. He went on to star as Jake Ballard in the popular political thriller series ‘Scandal’. Foley played the lead role in the action comedy drama ‘Whiskey Cavalier’ and appeared in the limited series ‘The Big Leap’. He recently starred in the romantic comedy film ‘Puppy Love’ and the political drama ‘The Girls on the Bus’.

Kelly McCreary

Kelly McCreary played the brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Maggie Pierce for nine seasons before moving her character to Chicago. She has lent her voice to various animated projects including ‘Harvey Girls Forever’ and ‘Craig of the Creek’. McCreary appeared in the seventh season of the animated sitcom ‘Big Mouth’ and the series ‘Station 19’. She is actively involved in theater productions and social justice advocacy work.

Greg Germann

Greg Germann played the neurosurgeon Dr. Tom Koracick for four seasons before departing the main cast. He joined the cast of the drama series ‘Firefly Lane’ where he reunited with former co-star Katherine Heigl. Germann appeared in the second season of the horror anthology series ‘Them’. He continues to work consistently in theater and television guest roles.

Tell us which former cast member’s post-show career has surprised you the most in the comments below.