The Real Reason Behind Jesse Williams' Departure from Grey's Anatomy After 12 Seasons
Discover the true explanation behind Williams' exit from Grey's Anatomy after 12 seasons. What led to his departure from the iconic show?
Many fans of Grey's Anatomy were saddened by the departure of fan-favorite character Jackson Avery, played by Jesse Williams. Jackson first appeared on the show in season 6 and Williams left during season 17. On the show, Jackson is a competitive plastic surgeon who wants to distance himself from his grandfather, Harper Avery, the inspiration for the Harper Avery Award. Despite his family background, Jackson is best known for his tumultuous relationship with trauma surgeon April Kepner (Sarah Drew) which kept viewers hooked.
It's not uncommon for doctors to leave Grey's Anatomy. In season 17, Jackson decides to move to Boston to help manage his mother's foundation, the Catherine Fox Foundation. Jackson officially departs for Boston with April in the episode "Tradition." In season 18, Jackson returns for the show's 400th episode with April to convince Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) to stay at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Jackson makes a brief appearance in two episodes of season 19 to assist with Meredith's move to Boston, providing Pompeo with an exit from the show.
Grey's Anatomy is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu.
Jesse Williams Left Grey's Anatomy To Get Out Of His Comfort Zone & Do Broadway
The Actor Played Darren Lemmings In Richard Greenberg's Take Me Out
Jesse Williams in Take Me Out - The Actor Played Darren Lemmings In Richard Greenberg's Take Me Out - Jesse Williams Left Grey's Anatomy To Get Out Of His Comfort Zone & Do Broadway
Jesse Williams took a risk by leaving Grey's Anatomy to star in the Broadway revival of Richard Greenberg's Take Me Out. The play won Best Revival of a Play, and Williams was even nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play. This decision proved to be successful for Williams, showing that his risk paid off.
While Grey's Anatomy may be considered a once-in-a-lifetime role for many actors, Williams chose to pursue a different path by taking on the Broadway production. The play, which ran from April 2022 to February 2023, featured Williams alongside Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family. In an interview with The New York Times, Williams shared some insights into his choice to depart from Grey's Anatomy.
I knew that as I planned my exit, the next step had to be scary. I had to step out of my comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory.
Take Me Out is about the lives of baseball players on a fictional team called the Empires. Through the perspective of professional athletes, the play tackles issues of homophobia and racism. In the play, Williams portrayed Darren Lemmings, a player who comes out as gay. The revival of Take Me Out won Best Revival of a Play at the 75th Tony Awards in 2022. Williams also received a nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play, proving that his decision to leave Grey's Anatomy was worth it.
Jesse Williams Featured In Only Murders In The Building Season 3
Williams Plays Documentarian Tobert In The Murder Mystery Series
Tobert holding his camera in Only Murders in the Building season 3 - Williams Plays Documentarian Tobert In The Murder Mystery Series - Jesse Williams Featured In Only Murders In The Building Season 3
Even after Take Me Out ended on Broadway, Williams made it clear that he wasn't planning to come back to Grey's Anatomy except for guest appearances. Instead, Williams joined the cast of Only Murders in the Building for its third season. The new season premiered on August 8, 2023, and in the first episode, viewers were introduced to Williams' character Tobert. Tobert is a documentarian who is fascinated by the murder case of Ben Glenroy.
Williams is now starring in the Hulu comedy and recently played Theo in the Netflix romantic comedy Your Place or Mine, alongside Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. This marks a shift for the actor towards lighter, comedic roles, moving away from his previous focus on heavy drama. By choosing to pursue more comedic projects, Williams is making the most of his time away from Grey's Anatomy. He is actively seeking out roles that differ from his character in the network drama, using each new project as an opportunity to explore something new.
Editor's P/S:
The article provides an intriguing glimpse into Jesse Williams' decision to leave the long-running medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Williams' departure was met with sadness by fans, but his subsequent success on Broadway and in other projects demonstrates his courage and versatility. His willingness to step out of his comfort zone and pursue new challenges is inspiring, proving that even established actors can find growth and fulfillment beyond iconic roles.
Williams' journey serves as a reminder that personal and professional growth often requires taking risks. By embracing the unknown, he has expanded his artistic horizons and showcased his range as an actor. His success in diverse projects, from Broadway to comedy, highlights the importance of embracing change and seeking opportunities to explore new facets of one's talent.
