Grey's Anatomy [1]'s steamy, intense drama thrives off of the foundation of its core surgeons. Miranda, Richard, Alex, and Meredith are the bread and butter of Grey Sloan. Being the tried and true Shondaland characters they are, they've all experienced heartbreak and grief [2] beyond all measures. All four original actors — Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Justin Chambers, and Ellen Pompeo [3] — have received accolades and nominations for their excellent performances on the show. But after 15 seasons, are any of them ready to pack it in? Drawing from recent commitments and press comments, we investigate the likelihood of each original cast member leaving the beloved show.
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
Chandra Wilson has delivered a breathtaking performance as the no-nonsense, deeply tender Dr. Bailey, who has gone from a curmudgeonly resident to Grey Sloan's chief of surgery. In season 14, Dr. Bailey experiences a heart attack, which led to fan speculation about the writers killing off her character. She makes it out alive [4] but does admit to being inordinately stressed out.
The latest seasons of Grey's Anatomy [5] and Station 19 show her trying to mitigate her worries about her husband's dangerous career as a firefighter. But we can't really see Dr. Bailey dying or quitting her job. That's to say, her fate is still up in the air. Wilson has only done a guest part on General Hospital lately [6], so we expect (and hope) the actress will be around Grey's for a while.
James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber
James Pickens Jr. has been around Grey's Anatomy [7] to navigate Richard's struggles with alcoholism, relive the ghosts of his past with Ellis, and learn about his biological daughter Maggie. If Richard ever leaves, we only hope he and Catherine are enjoying sweet retirement instead of suffering some traumatic end.
Besides a few parts on The X-Files and Yellowstone, Pickens Jr. has made a handful of guest appearances on the short-lived Roseanne reboot [8], as well as its spinoff, The Conners. He also plays a main role in the comedy project Kick, which is currently in postproduction [9]. Like Wilson, we don't anticipate him leaving anytime soon, but things have been fairly dark for Richard lately with his recent arrest and his wife's cancer diagnosis.
Justin Chambers as Alex Karev
Justin Chambers's performance as Alex Karev has touched us dearly, as he brings a softer side to the intern Cristina once dubbed "Evil Spawn." As he's now Meredith's person, a hotshot peds surgeon, and Grey Sloan's interim chief, we can't see Alex leaving all of a sudden. According to an interview with Hollywood Life [10], Chambers is "playing it year by year," and it's likely he'll still be around for at least the remainder of the 15th season.
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey
It's hard to imagine Grey's Anatomy [11] without its leading lady. Shonda Rhimes has made a pact with Ellen Pompeo [12], saying the show will end when she decides to leave [13]. This year, the actress has hinted at her departure [14], saying it's time she "mixes it up." But on a recent airing of The Ellen DeGeneres Show [15], she said she saw no end in sight for the medical drama and she's really touched by how the show is making a difference in people's lives. Well, as long as there's juicy drama at Grey Sloan, you'll find us tuning in on Thursdays to watch Grey's!