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Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver are hanging up their scrubs.
The longstanding Grey's Anatomy stars, who play Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman, are departing the series after nearly 20 years. Their farewell episode will be the season 22 finale on May 7.
"Grey's Anatomy 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," Kevin, who joined the series in its fifth season in 2008, said in a statement to several sites on March 25. "Playing Dr. Owen Hunt and directing on the show have both shaped me enormously, and I've had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of people throughout that time."
Kevin, whose character was a love interest to Sandra Oh's Dr. Cristina Yang before her 2014 exit, as well as Kim's Teddy, expressed gratitude to the series' original showrunner Shonda Rhimes, saying, "I'm looking forward to what's ahead—building new work, telling new stories, and taking everything I've learned into the next phase of my career."
Meanwhile, Kim wrote on Instagram that Teddy will "always hold a dear and special place" in her heart. The 57-year-old initially appeared on the show in 2009, between the sixth and ninth seasons. Kim first left the series in 2012 but returned in season 14 in 2017 and signed on as a series regular the following year.
"It has been a true gift to bring the iconic words of Shonda and our brilliant team of writers to life," says Kim. "I am especially grateful to our current showrunner, Meg Marinis, for her leadership and heart, and I want to honor the immense talent of the showrunners who came before her, including Krista Vernoff, whose guidance helped shape Teddy's journey through the years."
Teddy's and Owen's tale is tightly interwoven, albeit on a rollercoaster. Although the on-screen pair wedded in season 18, they went through another difficult period and split before season 22. Last season, Teddy started a romance with Dr. Cass Beckman (Sophia Bush), while Owen was previously married to Cristina in season seven and Dr. Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) in season 12.
However, in recent episodes, it appears that the US Army veterans have reignited their flame—possibly for the last time. After all, Shonda has hinted that fans may not necessarily see a tragedy that prompts Kim's and Kevin's departures.
"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," Shonda said in a statement. "It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves."
