Beloved ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ stars Kevin McKidd, Kim Raver to exit after Season 22 but the reason makes sense
Two familiar faces are now preparing to step away from ‘Grey's Anatomy’, and for longtime viewers, this one might take a second to sink in. According to the official announcement on social media, both Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) and Dr. Theodora Grace "Teddy" Altman (Kim Raver) are set to leave the long-running ABC drama at the conclusion of its currently airing 22nd season. Their final appearance is scheduled for the season finale, which is slated to air on May 7. There are still a few episodes left before that goodbye lands, with installments rolling out on March 26, April 2, and April 30. The production for the season has already wrapped, meaning everything has been locked in. There will be no last-minute rewrites, no sudden reversals, just a steady march toward that final curtain call.
Now, if you have been watching for a while, you already know these two are not minor players who popped in for a short arc and faded away. McKidd has been part of the show since 2008, joining during its fifth season. Over time, he did not just stick to acting; he stepped behind the camera, directing dozens of episodes after making his directorial debut in the seventh season. In a full-circle kind of moment, he will also be directing his last episode as part of the finale. Raver’s journey, on the other hand, took a slightly winding route, as she first appeared in 2009 in a recurring capacity before becoming a series regular later on. She then stepped away after a few seasons, only to return years later and resume her role as a regular presence from season 15 onward. Along the way, she also took on directing duties for a few episodes.
Their characters, Owen Hunt and Teddy Altman, have been closely tied from the beginning, and not in a simple way either. That’s because their relationship has swung back and forth over the years, starting as close allies shaped by their time in the Army, then slowly shifting into something deeper, though never without complications. Eventually, they did get together. The two characters tied the knot during Season 18 and share two children. However, things did not remain steady, as in recent episodes, their relationship hit another rough patch, leading to their split, with their divorce being finalized early in the current season. Behind the scenes, the decision for both actors to step away might be tied to how their storyline has progressed over the years.
Still, this is not being framed as a hard goodbye forever. Like many actors who have left ‘Grey's Anatomy’ before them, the possibility of returning down the line remains open, whether through brief appearances or short arcs. Moreover, in a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, creator Shonda Rhimes suggested that their story may wrap on a hopeful note. In her words, “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 their way back to each other. It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves.”
