How a last-minute 'bad boy' reshaped Grey's Anatomy — and why two stars are leaving after 22 seasons

Key facts

• Justin Chambers joined Grey's Anatomy as Alex Karev after test audiences requested a 'bad boy' character.
• Chambers exited abruptly in season 16, with his final physical appearance in episode 8 and a voice cameo in episode 16.
• Dr. Richard Webber fired Dr. Benson Kwan (Harry Shum Jr.) offscreen for giving an experimental, FDA-denied treatment.
• Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt) and Kim Raver (Teddy Altman) are set to exit after the season 22 finale.
• McKidd has played Owen since season 5 (2008); Raver debuted as Teddy in season 6.
• The season 22 finale involves a bridge collapse and car crash that may be fatal to Owen.
• Teddy is considering a job in Paris, sparking an argument with Owen.

The character that almost never was

When Grey's Anatomy first went before test audiences, the pilot had already been shot — without Justin Chambers. The character of Dr. Alex Karev, who would go on to become a fixture for 16 seasons, did not exist in the original conception. Test viewers, however, demanded a "bad boy" to balance the intern class, prompting a last-minute addition. "We had shot the whole pilot without Justin Chambers," writer Tony Phelan recalled in the book "How To Save a Life." "after the pilot test was: 'You need a bad boy. You need a male member of the intern class who's not just an a**hole, but male.'" Executive producer Peter Horton added, "So we shot his scenes with him later." Phelan noted that viewers can see "how they surgically put Justin in everywhere" when rewatching the pilot. Chambers himself admitted to nerves as a latecomer. "I was with all these other actors, I didn't know anybody, hoping that the show would be a success," he said. "Thank God it worked out."

A 16-season arc and an abrupt goodbye

Alex Karev debuted as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, initially perceived as lacking bedside manner. Over time, his relationships with colleagues deepened, and he became a cornerstone of the series. Chambers remained with the show for 16 seasons 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," Chambers told 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." His final physical appearance came in season 16, episode 8, "My Shot." He later made a voice cameo in episode 16, "Leave a Light On."

A firing and a shakeup ahead of the season 22 finale

In the penultimate episode of season 22, aired April 30, Dr. Richard Webber fired Dr. Benson Kwan offscreen after discovering the resident had secretly administered an experimental, FDA-denied treatment earlier in the season. Webber confirmed the firing to Dr. Miranda Bailey, who had previously taken the blame for the incident. The move sets the stage for the season finale, which will also mark the departure of two longtime characters: Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman. Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver confirmed in March that their characters would exit due to creative decisions tied to the storyline, though the door remains open for future returns.

Owen and Teddy: A relationship tested by a Paris job offer

In Thursday's episode, Owen learns that Teddy is considering a job in Paris, sparking an argument. The episode ends with Teddy receiving a voicemail from Owen and overhearing a bridge collapse and car crash that may be fatal. The fate of both characters hangs in the balance as the season finale approaches. McKidd, who has portrayed the trauma surgeon since the season 5 premiere in 2008, said in a statement, "The show 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." Raver's cardiothoracic surgeon, Teddy, first appeared in season 6.

The legacy of Grey's Anatomy's evolving cast

Grey's Anatomy has long been defined by its ability to reinvent itself through cast changes. The addition of Alex Karev after the pilot test is a prime example of how audience feedback shaped the show's DNA. Now, as two more core characters prepare to exit, the series continues to evolve. The departure of Owen and Teddy, coupled with the firing of Benson Kwan, signals a significant transition. The show's willingness to make bold creative decisions — from adding a last-minute bad boy to letting go of beloved characters — has kept it on air for 22 seasons.

What lies ahead for Grey Sloan Memorial

With the season 22 finale poised to resolve the fates of Owen and Teddy, questions remain about the direction of the series. The bridge collapse and car crash suggest that at least one character may not survive. Meanwhile, the firing of Kwan leaves a vacancy in the surgical residency program. As Grey's Anatomy approaches its 23rd season, the show must balance honoring its history while forging new storylines. The exits of McKidd and Raver, like Chambers' before them, represent both an ending and an opportunity for renewal.

The bottom line

• Alex Karev was added to the pilot after test audiences requested a 'bad boy,' a decision that shaped the series for 16 seasons.
• Justin Chambers left abruptly in season 16, citing a desire to diversify roles and spend time with family.
• Dr. Benson Kwan was fired for administering an unauthorized experimental treatment; Miranda Bailey had previously taken the blame.
• Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver will exit after the season 22 finale, with their characters' fates tied to a bridge collapse and a Paris job offer.
• The show's creative decisions have consistently involved major cast changes, from last-minute additions to planned departures.