Say it’s not so!
Two more of the Grey’s Anatomy doctors are hanging up their scrubs for good.
Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew will reportedly be leaving the series at the end of this season, according to Deadline.
Capshaw has played Dr Arizona Robbins as a series regular for nine seasons, featuring on the long-running medical drama for 10.
Drew has been on Grey’s Anatomy for nine seasons as Dr. April Kepner, eight of them as a series regular.
The publication reports that both actresses are exiting the series after producers opted not to renew their contracts for the new season.
They are said to be the only core cast members who will be leaving the show this year.
Co-showrunner Krista Vernon said in a statement:
“The characters of Arizona and April are permanently woven into the fabric of Grey’s Anatomy thanks to the extraordinary work of Jessica Capshaw and Sarah Drew.
“As writers, our job is to follow the stories where they want to go and sometimes that means saying goodbye to characters we love.
“It has been a joy and a privilege to work with these phenomenally talented actresses.”
But it’s not all bad news, as the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes hinted we may see them again one day in her statement.
Highlighting the cultural significance of both characters, she said:
“It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to any of my characters.
“Both Arizona Robbins and April Kepner are not only beloved but iconic — both the LBGTQ and devout Christian communities are underrepresented on TV.
“I will be forever grateful to both Jessica and Sarah for bringing these characters to life with such vibrant performance and for inspiring women around the globe.
“They will always be a part of our Shondaland family.”
