Shocking Deaths in Grey's Anatomy: Revealing the Fate of Every Main Character

Summary

Grey's Anatomy has a reputation for killing off its main characters, leaving fans unsatisfied with their endings.

The deceased characters on Grey's Anatomy were frequently connected to the protagonist, Meredith Grey. Several characters such as George O'Malley, Lexie Grey, and Mark Sloan were written off the show due to behind-the-scenes conflicts or the actors' desire to pursue other projects.

Grey’s Anatomy has developed a notorious reputation for its tendency to kill off its main characters, rather than providing them with fulfilling conclusions. As a result, viewers are left wondering who will meet their demise in Grey's Anatomy. The show follows the standard formula of medical dramas, delving into the lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings as they navigate the intertwined complexities of their professional and personal worlds. Seattle Grace Hospital, now known as Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, serves as the backdrop for both the dramatic events that transpire within its walls and the entangled relationships that blossom outside of them. At the forefront of Grey’s Anatomy is the lead character, Meredith Grey (played by Ellen Pompeo), who initially embarked on her medical journey as an intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, alongside other individuals who would later become beloved by audiences.

Out of the original group of interns introduced in Grey’s Anatomy's first season, Meredith is the sole survivor who remains on the show. Her closest friends, unfortunately, have departed from the series, with most of them meeting their untimely demise. Grey’s Anatomy has earned a reputation for taking the "easy" route by killing off characters when their narratives come to a close, only sparing a fortunate few with satisfying conclusions where they continue to live. Regrettably, all of these deceased characters shared an intimate connection with Meredith, ranging from friends and family members to even her own husband.

George O’Malley – Season 6

George O’Malley, portrayed by T.R. Knight, met a tragic fate as one of Grey's Anatomy's significant deaths. Despite his struggle to find his true calling, he eventually found purpose as a trauma surgeon. However, he abruptly made the decision to join the U.S. Army in Iraq, causing a sudden shift in his path. On his last day before deployment, Richard Webber granted him time with his family, but tragedy struck when George selflessly saved a woman's life by jumping in front of a bus. The accident left him unrecognizably disfigured, baffling the doctors.

In a poignant moment, George managed to convey his identity to the medical team by drawing "007" on Meredith's hand, one of his well-known nicknames. Tragically, during surgery, his brain swelled, resulting in his declaration of brain death. Consequently, George became the first major character to meet such a fate in Grey's Anatomy. Behind the scenes, Knight's departure stemmed from a breakdown in communication, reportedly exacerbated by Rhimes discouraging him from publicly acknowledging his sexual orientation and his discomfort with the direction of George's storyline. Despite the circumstances, Knight later returned as George in Season 17, featured in Meredith's COVID-induced hallucinations, showcasing a kind gesture from the actor.

Lexie Grey – Season 8

Meredith's half-sister, Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), was tragically killed in Grey's Anatomy during a horrific event. In season 8, Meredith, Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), and Lexie were en route to assist with the surgery of conjoined twins at a Boise hospital when their plane crashed. Lexie suffered severe injuries, including a crushed pelvis, legs, and left arm, and passed away shortly after being discovered.

Despite the devastating circumstances, Mark had the opportunity to say his last goodbyes and remained by Lexie's side until her final moments, reassuring her of his love. Unlike previous departures caused by conflicts behind the scenes, Leigh's exit from Grey's Anatomy was a personal decision to conclude Lexie's storyline and prioritize time with her family. In season 17, similar to George O'Malley, Lexie reappeared as part of Meredith's coma hallucinations, reminding her to find joy in life amidst the challenges she faced.

Mark Sloan – Season 9

Another character who succumbs to the plane crash tragedy in Grey's Anatomy is Mark Sloan. With Cristina's assistance in recognizing his cardiac tamponade and draining the fluid, Mark manages to survive until they are rescued. However, his health continues to deteriorate. In the season 9 premiere, it is disclosed that Mark is being kept alive by life support, and following his wishes as stated in his will, the machines are finally switched off.

Mark passes away with the presence of Derek and Callie Torres (Sandra Ramirez). As for Eric Dane's departure from Grey's Anatomy, he explains that he saw an opportunity to pursue other projects and was already interested in doing so. Nevertheless, Dane returns to reprise his role as Mark in season 17, where he appears in Meredith's "dreams" to assure her that he is always keeping a watchful eye over Callie, Arizona, and their daughter.

Derek Shepherd – Season 11

Derek Shepherd's death in Grey's Anatomy is considered one of the saddest and most criticized among fans. As the main couple of the show, Meredith and Derek's relationship came to an end in season 11 when Derek tragically died. This left both Meredith and fans heartbroken. Despite their marital troubles and Derek's decision to move back to Seattle from DC to be with his family, he had to return to DC to resign. Unfortunately, he was involved in a car accident on his way there, leading to complications that were ultimately fatal.

Meredith, faced with a difficult choice, made the heartbreaking decision to remove Derek from life support. This marked the departure of "McDreamy" from Grey's Anatomy, leaving viewers to bid him farewell. Derek's exit from the show was motivated by a combination of his personal feeling that it was time to move on and on-set conflicts with Rhimes, Pompeo, and the rest of the cast. However, despite his permanent departure, Derek made a special cameo in season 17. In three episodes, he appears to Meredith on the beach in her dreams, allowing them to have a heartfelt conversation about their family.

Andrew DeLuca – Season 17

Andrew DeLuca, portrayed by Giacomo Gianniotti, was the most recent main cast member to meet an unfortunate end on the beloved medical drama, Grey's Anatomy. DeLuca, who had become one of Meredith's romantic interests, grappled with his mental well-being, displaying traits of mania similar to his father. In the sixteenth season, his mental health took a turn for the worse, prompting Miranda Bailey to doubt his claims regarding a patient who had fallen victim to human trafficking. Determined to seek justice, DeLuca embarked on a solo investigation, only to be ruthlessly stabbed by an unidentified attacker.

While initially showing signs of recovery, DeLuca suffered from a cardiac tamponade and ultimately experienced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), resulting in his untimely demise. Furthermore, during Meredith's coma in season 17, he made a metaphysical connection with her on the beach, expressing gratitude for her unwavering inspiration. It is worth noting that Gianniotti's departure from Grey's Anatomy had been meticulously planned from the outset, as affirmed by showrunner Krista Vernoff. According to Vernoff, DeLuca's character departed while fighting for his beliefs, having overcome his mental health crisis and evolved into a valued member of the hospital staff. He refused to let an important woman in his life slip away again.