Say Goodbye to Alex Karev: Justin Chambers Is Leaving ‘Grey's Anatomy’

Paging all Greys Anatomy fans, Dr. Alex Karev will no longer be Chief at Pacific Northwest General Hospital.

Yup, Justin Chambers is officially leaving the hit show after 15 years. Chambers’s character was introduced in the series pilot as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, eventually rising to resident and then becoming a pediatric surgical fellow.

“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,” Chambers said in a statement to 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.” 

In his statement, he also acknowledged the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes and the three remaining original cast members whom he has worked alongside since the pilot.

“As I move on from Grey’s Anatomy, I want to thank the ABC family, Shonda Rimes, original cast members Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, both past and present, and, of course, the fans for an extraordinary ride.”

Karev was last seen in the November 14 episode and was absent from the recent fall finale. Chambers’s exit will mean that Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey will be the last remaining intern from the original cast.

We’ll miss you, Alex Karev.