'Grey's Anatomy': As Justin Chambers leaves the show, let's see where the original five interns are today
Remember those days when 'Grey's Anatomy' was about five surgical interns fighting for surgeries? Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), George O' Malley (TR Knight), Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang) and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) were the five interns in the beginning, mentored by residents and attendants Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) and Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington). The central love stories that took up the first three seasons were of Derek-Meredith (which carried on till season 11 and ended with Derek's death), and of Burke-Cristina, till their fateful wedding day. Those were the halcyon days of 'Grey's Anatomy'. Slowly, the original cast members started fading out and were written out of the show. And now, after Justin Chambers's announcement that he won't be part of the show anymore, the realization comes to fans that except Meredith, none of the five original interns remain.
Where are they now?
Cristina Yang
Sandra Oh played the razor-sharp cardiothoracic surgeon, who left Grey-Sloane for better horizons. She was a hot favorite for ten seasons. Sandra left the show in 2014, and headed to 'Killing Eve'. She was nominated for Best Actress at the Emmys in 2018 for her performance.
George O'Malley
T.R. Knight played the affable George O' Malley for five seasons. He left the show reportedly due to creative differences regarding the direction of his character. Since then, he has acted in shows such as 'The Good Wife', 'God Friended Me and 'Genius: Picasso'.
Izzie Stevens
Loving and sweet Izzie, played by Katherine Heigl, was unceremoniously written out of the show after the actor's several clashes with Shonda Rhimes. Izzie's romance with Alex became one of the important elements of the show and Izzie left Alex on the basis of a bizarre misunderstanding. Katherine Heigl is playing the role of Samantha Wheeler in the legal drama, 'Suits'.
Alex Karev
Brash and rough-around-the-edges Alex Karev has had enough of the medical life too, it seems. Justin Chambers has left the show with the goodbye statement, "There’s no good time to say goodbye to a show and a 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."
Meredith Grey
Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, is the only one from the original five interns on the show. She isn't doing too badly, she's directed several episodes of the show and has started her own production company. She is one of the highest-paid actresses in primetime drama.
The question is, how will the show deal with Alex's character now? Please don't say he will be killed off too?
For how long?