After nine years on ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, Kelly McCreary, who plays Maggie Pierce, Meredith Grey’s half-sister and the head of cardiothoracic surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial, will be leaving the show.
McCreary’s last episode as a series regular will air on April 13, but like Ellen Pompeo, who plays Meredith Grey, McCreary will make a final appearance later in the season.
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McCreary had planned her departure ahead of time to pursue other opportunities, and the Season 19 storyline has been crafted to build towards her exit, largely revolving around her marital problems with Winston.
McCreary expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the “legendary television institution” that Grey’s Anatomy is and thanked creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes, executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff, and ABC. Vernoff also praised McCreary’s performance as “brilliant, nuanced, thoughtful, and kind.”
After nine seasons, I am saying goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Grey Sloan family. It has been a tremendous honor to be a part of such a legendary television institution as Grey’s Anatomy. I will always be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff, and ABC for the opportunity, and to the incredible fans for their passionate support. To spend nine years exploring a character inside and out, while reaching a global audience with impactful stories, is a rare gift. It has afforded me an opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and be inspired by countless brilliant artists both in front of and behind the camera. Playing Maggie Pierce has been one of the true joys of my life and I leave with profound gratitude for every step of this journey. I am excited for this next chapter, and what the future holds.
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Maggie Pierce was introduced in Season 10 and quickly became a series regular, going through various relationships before marrying Winston in Season 17. However, their marriage soon began to suffer, and the Season 19 storyline has focused on their troubled relationship.