It happens every single year like clockwork. You sit down for a new season of Grey’s Anatomy, ready for the medical chaos and the elevator pining, only to realize the face you’ve watched for five years is suddenly… gone. Or maybe they’re just "recurring" now. It’s exhausting. Honestly, keeping track of who is leaving Grey’s Anatomy has become a part-time job for the fandom, and with the show entering its historic 21st season in late 2024 and continuing through 2025, the revolving door is spinning faster than ever.
Shows don't usually last two decades. That’s just a fact. When a series hits this kind of longevity, the "legacy" cast gets expensive, and the younger actors get restless. We aren't just talking about background extras here. We are talking about series regulars who have been the emotional bedrock of the show for years. If you feel like the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial are looking a little empty, you aren’t imagining things.
The Mid-Season Shocker: Midori Francis and Jake Borelli
Let’s get into the messy details right away. The biggest news hitting the wires recently involves two names that actually surprised people: Jake Borelli and Midori Francis.
Jake Borelli, who plays Levi Schmitt, has been a staple since Season 14. He gave us that iconic "glasses" moment and became a vital piece of LGBTQ+ representation on the show. But the word is out—he’s heading for the exit. Reports from Deadline and Variety confirmed that Borelli is returning for Season 21 only to wrap up his character’s story arc. It’s a budget thing. It’s almost always a budget thing these days.
Then there’s Midori Francis, who plays Mika Yasuda. She was part of that "new class" of interns meant to reboot the energy of the show. She’s fantastic—sharp, funny, and brought a much-needed grit to the intern locker room. But she’s also leaving. Like Borelli, she’s expected to appear in a few episodes of Season 21 to give Mika a proper goodbye. Seeing two of the most promising "younger" characters depart at the same time feels like a gut punch to those of us who were actually starting to care about the new blood.
Why Everyone Seems to be Leaving (and Coming Back)
The financial reality of network television in 2025 is pretty bleak. ABC and Disney have been tightening belts across the board. For a show like Grey’s, which has several actors who have been there for over a decade, the salaries add up.
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Basically, the producers are playing a game of musical chairs. To keep the show on the air, they have to trim the "series regular" count. This is why you see people like Jason George (Ben Warren) jumping back and forth. With Station 19 officially ended, Ben Warren is returning to Grey’s Anatomy as a series regular. It’s a weird trade-off. We lose a Schmitt, but we gain a Warren.
And then there’s the Ellen Pompeo situation. Is she leaving? Is she staying?
Meredith Grey is the show. Even when she’s not in the show, her voiceover haunts the hallways. After "leaving" as a series regular in Season 19, Ellen Pompeo has actually been showing up more lately. For Season 21, reports indicate she could be in as many as seven or more episodes. So, while she technically "left," she’s more like that friend who says they’re leaving the party but stays in the driveway talking for another three hours.
The Status of the "Old Guard"
When you ask who is leaving Grey’s Anatomy, you’re usually worried about the pillars. James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber) and Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey).
- Chandra Wilson: She has gone on record multiple times saying she will stay until the very end. She’s the glue. If Bailey leaves, the hospital collapses. Literally.
- James Pickens Jr.: Similar vibes. While Richard Webber has "retired" about fourteen times now, Pickens Jr. remains a series regular.
- Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt) and Kim Raver (Teddy Altman): Both signed new deals. They aren't going anywhere yet, despite their characters' tumultuous (and often frustrating) marriage.
- Caterina Scorsone (Amelia Shepherd): She’s still in the mix, though her storylines have shifted toward her work in Maryland/Boston at times.
It’s a delicate balance. The show needs the veterans to keep the "Grey's" DNA, but it needs the budget cuts to keep the lights on.
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The Budget Cut Ripple Effect
It’s not just about who is off the call sheet entirely. It’s about "episode guarantees."
In the old days, if you were a series regular, you were in every episode. Period. Now? Not so much. Most of the cast members are seeing their episode counts reduced. This means you might notice your favorite character is just... absent for three weeks with a vague excuse about "attending a conference in Zurich." This is the new normal. It’s a "soft" version of leaving the show. You’re still employed, but you’re working 12 episodes instead of 18.
The Most Notable Recent Departures
To understand where the show is going, we have to look at who already walked out the door. The departure of Kelly McCreary (Maggie Pierce) in Season 19 was a massive shift. She was the heart of the cardio department and Meredith’s sister. Her exit felt final, though she did pop back in for a cameo.
Then we had the exit of Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery) and Sarah Drew (April Kepner) a few seasons back. While they’re "gone," they’ve become the go-to guest stars. This is the new strategy: don't kill them off, just move them to Boston. That way, when ratings dip, you can break the glass in case of emergency and bring "Japril" back for a two-episode arc.
What This Means for Season 21 and Beyond
If you're watching Season 21, expect a lot of transition. The show is trying to figure out if it can survive without a centralized "Meredith" figure while also dealing with the departure of key supporting characters like Levi Schmitt.
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The focus is shifting heavily toward the new interns: Griffith, Adams, Kwan, and Millin. They are the future, mostly because they are cheaper to employ and have fresh storylines. But even that is shaky, as we saw with Midori Francis. If the show can't keep its new stars, it risks becoming a retirement home for the original cast rather than a living, breathing medical drama.
How to Keep Up with Cast Changes
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, you have to watch the trades—The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, and Deadline. They usually get the "casting shakes" news before ABC officially announces anything. Usually, these leaks happen around May or June when contracts are being renegotiated for the fall season.
Actionable Insights for Grey's Fans:
- Monitor "Series Regular" Status: Don't just look at who is in the trailer. Look at the official cast list. If someone is moved to "Recurring," it’s a massive hint they are phasing out.
- Follow the Showrunner: Meg Marinis took over from Krista Vernoff. Her style is a bit more back-to-basics. She’s focusing on the hospital dynamics, which might mean more cast turnover to keep the "surgical intern" cycle moving.
- Don't Panic Over Cameos: When an old character returns (like Arizona Robbins did recently), it usually doesn't mean they are back for good. It's almost always a "one-and-done" to boost social media engagement.
- Expect More "Budget" Exits: With the industry-wide push for austerity in 2025-2026, don't be surprised if another long-term favorite announces a departure toward the end of Season 21.
The reality is that Grey’s Anatomy is a machine. It’s designed to outlast its parts. Whether it’s Patrick Dempsey or Justin Chambers or Jake Borelli, the show proves every year that the title "Grey" is the only thing that’s truly permanent. Everyone else is just passing through.