WARNING: This article contains some major spoilers for Grey's Anatomy season 16. Read at your own risk.
Grey's Anatomy season 16 finally revealed the reason why Justin Chambers' Alex Karev left the series. His departure was so sudden and many were shocked why he chose to leave his wife Jo and everyone at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Just recently, lead star Ellen Pompeo shares her thoughts about this matter and reacts to Chambers' big exit.
In a recent post via Instagram, Pompeo starts her message by thanking the "best most passionate most loyal fans" of the series. She noted that they were able to make great television history because of the support of fans. She then thanked Debbie Allen and the writers for giving Alex the best send-off in Grey's Anatomy season 16 and also thanked Shonda Rhimes for creating the "most amazing character."
Pompeo then shared her thoughts about Alex's exit, noting that the character going back from the beginning was the best possible storyline. She asked fans not to be sad and told them to celebrate the actors, writers, and crew members' hard work as they make the series come to life every week. She ended her message by saying: "So much love and gratitude to you all. Xo E."
Aside from Pompeo, another cast member shared his thoughts about Alex's exit in Grey's Anatomy season 16. Speaking to People, Dr. Atticus Lincoln actor Chris Carmack discussed Chambers' character's final episode in the series, saying he was "drenched in tears" while watching the episode. He added that it's beautiful to look back on Alex's 16 years of life in the show.
Carmack also said it's nice to see the flashback 16 years ago, which was very tangible and emotional. The actor said that it wasn't just a flashback, as those were the scenes fans invested a long time ago. Alex's departure might be hard to digest for some, as he leaves his wife Jo to be with his first wife Izzie Stevens and their 5-year-old twins.
Izzie, played by Katherine Heigl, is an original cast member and was last seen in season 6. Her love story with Alex came to an end after she decided to leave Seattle and refused to stay married to him. They rekindled their romance after Alex reached out to Izzie to save Meredith as she's on the verge of losing her medical license. Now, Alex and Izzie are living in Kansan and raising their twins.
Grey's Anatomy season 16 drops its new episodes every Thursday night on ABC.
