Two beloved Grey’s Anatomy stars to exit show after Season 22 finale

TWO major cast members on Grey’s Anatomy are departing the show following the upcoming Season 22 finale.

Longtime Grey’s Anatomy stars Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd, who portray on-screen estranged couple and doctors at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, Teddy and Owen, are departing the series.

Their last episode will air on May 7, during the medical drama’s season finale.

The pair’s sudden exits are said to be a creative decision for the ABC series, and they might return in the future, as have many other stars who have left and later reprised their roles.

Both have been on the show for some time, with Kevin joining the cast in Season 5 and Kim appearing in the next season, signing on as a series regular in 2010.

Kim exited the show once before, at the end of Season 8, on her own accord, but returned for a guest spot in Season 14 and continued her role in Season 15.

She and Kevin’s characters have a long history: both served as Army majors who met in Baghdad during the Iraq War before reconnecting at Grey Sloan and later falling in love.

Teddy, professionally known as Dr. Teddy Altman, is the Chief of Surgery and an attending cardiothoracic surgeon, while Owen (Dr. Owen Hunt) is the Head of Trauma Surgery.

The duo got married in the Season 18 premiere, which aired in September 2021, and share two children.

However, their romance faced numerous hurdles this last season, and after trying an open marriage, they ultimately decided to part ways.

“Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy’s love story evolve and deepen- two characters who always seem to find.

“It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves,” creator Shonda Rhimes said in a statement about the characters’ exits, indicating that they might have rekindled their relationship in the finale.

“Kevin and Kim bring extraordinary talent, nuance and heart to their roles as Owen and Teddy. Their contributions leave an indelible mark on Grey’s Anatomy, both in front of and behind the camera,” she continued.

“I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them both and to see them shine.

“While we will all miss seeing them in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial each day, I am excited to witness where Kim’s and Kevin’s journeys will take them in the future.”

Kevin and Kim have each directed episodes of Grey’s Anatomy during their runs on the show – the former with 48 episodes behind the camera under his belt, as well as the upcoming season finale, and the latter having directed three episodes beginning in Season 19.

“Playing Dr. Teddy Altman will always hold a dear and special place in my heart. Sixteen years ago, I had the incredible privilege of stepping into this role thanks to the vision of Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers,” Kim’s statement partly read.

“Since that day, it has been a true gift to bring the iconic words of Shonda and our brilliant team of writers to life.”

Kevin echoed the sentiment in his own statement, which read, “Grey’s Anatomy has been a huge chapter of my life, creatively and personally, and I’m deeply grateful for everything the show has given me over the years.

“Playing Dr. Owen Hunt and directing on the show have both shaped me enormously, and I’ve had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of people throughout that time.

“I’m particularly thankful to Shonda Rhimes for creating Owen, and for the encouragement she gave me as I stepped into directing.

He concluded, “As that chapter comes to a close, I’m looking forward to what’s ahead — building new work, telling new stories, and taking everything I’ve learned into the next phase of my career.”