The Shocking Truth Behind Jesse Williams' Departure from Grey's Anatomy After 12 Seasons

Summary

Jesse Williams left Grey's Anatomy to star in the Broadway revival of Take Me Out, a play that explores themes of homophobia and racism.

Williams sought to expand his horizons and embrace unfamiliar obstacles following his departure from the enduring medical series. Currently, he is set to feature in the third season of "Only Murders in the Building" and is actively pursuing comedic roles to broaden his repertoire as an actor.

Grey's Anatomy viewers were devastated when Jesse Williams, who portrayed the beloved character Jackson Avery, bid farewell to the popular medical drama. Jackson made his debut on Grey's Anatomy in season 6, but Williams departed from the ABC series in season 17. On the show, Jackson is a highly skilled plastic surgeon who strives to distance himself from his grandfather Harper Avery, the inspiration behind the renowned Harper Avery Award. In addition to his complicated family background, Jackson's on-again, off-again romance with trauma surgeon April Kepner (Sarah Drew) deeply engaged Grey's Anatomy fans.

The departure of doctors is a common occurrence on Grey's Anatomy due to the show's long-standing success. In season 17, Jackson made the decision to relocate to Boston in order to assist in managing his mother's organization, the Catherine Fox Foundation. In the 15th episode of season 17, titled "Tradition," Jackson bids farewell to Seattle alongside April. However, in season 18, Jackson makes a return for the milestone 400th episode of the series, alongside April, to persuade Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) to remain at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Jackson reappears in two episodes of season 19, this time aiding in Meredith's transition to Boston, allowing Pompeo an exit from Grey's Anatomy.

Jesse Williams Left Grey's Anatomy To Get Out Of His Comfort Zone & Do Broadway

Grey's Anatomy may offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for some actors, but Williams made the bold decision to leave the show in order to take on a starring role in the Broadway revival of Richard Greenberg's Take Me Out. Running from April 2022 until February 2023, Williams shared the stage with Jesse Tyler Ferguson from Modern Family in this play. In an interview with The New York Times, Williams revealed that he chose to leave Grey's Anatomy because he wanted his next project to be something truly challenging and unfamiliar, stepping out of his comfort zone.

Take Me Out delves into the lives of the Empires, a fictional professional baseball team, shedding light on themes of homophobia and racism through the experiences of its athletes. In the play, Williams portrayed Darren Lemmings, a player who bravely declares his homosexuality at the beginning of the storyline. The gamble of leaving Grey's Anatomy paid off for Williams, as Take Me Out won the esteemed title of Best Revival of a Play at the 75th Tony Awards in 2022, while Williams himself earned a nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Jesse Williams Will Appear In Only Murders In The Building Season 3

Take Me Out has concluded its run on Broadway, but Williams has no plans to return to Grey's Anatomy except for occasional guest appearances. The upcoming season 3 of Only Murders in the Building, set to premiere on August 8, 2023, will feature Williams in the role of Tobert. Tobert is a documentarian with a keen interest in the season's main case, although not much else is known about the character.

In addition to his role as Theo in the Netflix romantic comedy Your Place or Mine, alongside Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher, Williams will also be seen in the Hulu comedy. This decision to pursue more comedic roles showcases Williams' shift away from weighty dramas. By diversifying his portfolio, he is making the most of his time away from Grey's Anatomy and actively seeking out roles that deviate from the character of Jackson in the network drama. Each new project offers Williams the opportunity to embrace something different.