After years of heartbreak, triumph, and medical drama, two of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital’s most beloved doctors are preparing for a final curtain call. Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver, who have portrayed Dr. Owen Hunt and Dr. Teddy Altman for nearly two decades combined, are departing Grey’s Anatomy as series regulars following the Season 22 finale, set to air on May 7, 2026. Their exits mark the end of an era for ABC’s long-running medical juggernaut, but, according to show creator Shonda Rhimes and the actors themselves, it’s not necessarily goodbye forever.
McKidd and Raver’s journey on Grey’s Anatomy is nothing short of iconic. McKidd, who first scrubbed in as trauma surgeon Owen Hunt in Season 5 back in 2008, has been a mainstay on the series for 18 continuous seasons. Raver joined a year later in Season 6 as the brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon Teddy Altman, became a series regular in 2010, left at the end of Season 8, and then returned for a guest stint in Season 14 before rejoining the main cast in Season 15. Over the years, the duo’s on-screen chemistry fueled one of the show’s most enduring storylines—a relationship that weathered war, love triangles, marriage, and even a tumultuous divorce.
Both actors have left an indelible mark not only in front of the camera but also behind it. McKidd has directed an impressive 48 episodes of Grey’s Anatomy since 2011, including the upcoming season finale that will serve as his swan song. Raver, following in the footsteps of her colleague and with mentorship from executive producer and director Debbie Allen, has directed three episodes since Season 19. Their dual talents have helped shape the show’s tone and storytelling, a fact not lost on fans or the creative team.
As the news of their departure broke, both McKidd and Raver shared heartfelt statements reflecting on their time at Grey Sloan. McKidd, 52, expressed deep gratitude for the role that defined much of his career, saying, “Grey’s Anatomy has been a huge chapter of my life, creatively and personally, and I’m deeply grateful for everything the show has given me over the years. Playing Dr. Owen Hunt and directing on the show have both shaped me enormously, and I’ve had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of people throughout that time. I’m particularly thankful to Shonda Rhimes for creating Owen, and for the encouragement she gave me as I stepped into directing.”
Raver, 57, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the personal significance of her role as Teddy Altman. “Playing Dr. Teddy Altman will always hold a dear and special place in my heart. Sixteen years ago, I had the incredible privilege of stepping into this role thanks to the vision of Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. Since that day, it has been a true gift to bring the iconic words of Shonda and our brilliant team of writers to life,” she said. Raver also extended her gratitude to showrunner Meg Marinis, previous showrunner Krista Vernoff, and especially Debbie Allen, who “not only mentored me but welcomed me into the Director’s chair.” She didn’t forget the fans, either, declaring, “Your unwavering devotion and support are the reason this show remains such a force. Thank you for making this set my place of magic and my home.”
The show’s creative leadership was equally effusive in their praise. Shonda Rhimes, who wrote the episode introducing Owen Hunt and oversaw the early arcs of both characters, said in a statement, “Kevin and Kim bring extraordinary talent, nuance and heart to their roles as Owen and Teddy. Their contributions leave an indelible mark on Grey’s Anatomy, both in front of and behind the camera. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them both and to see them shine.” Rhimes also hinted at a hopeful future for the characters, promising, “It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves.”
Meg Marinis, the current showrunner, highlighted the impact McKidd and Raver have had on the series, both as actors and directors. “Kim and Kevin will always be cherished members of the Grey’s Anatomy family. Over the last eighteen seasons, Kevin has brought extraordinary depth and heart to Owen Hunt. While he arrived as a stoic veteran and trauma surgeon, Owen grew into a loving husband and father, helping shape the emotional foundation of the show for audiences around the world. In addition to his stunning performances on screen, Kevin has been an incredible leader to our cast and crew on set, directing nearly fifty episodes. For twelve seasons, Kim has amazed us with her fierce and raw portrayal of Teddy Altman. Her performance as a strong female veteran and cardiothoracic surgeon has inspired us all, particularly the women who constantly must fight for their place in the room. Kim also stepped behind the camera and directed episodes with the same passion and storytelling instinct that defined her work as an actor. While their story is coming to a close, this is never truly a goodbye. We are endlessly grateful for the years, the artistry and the memories they’ve given to the show and we look forward to cheering them on in whatever comes next.”
The on-screen saga of Owen and Teddy has been a rollercoaster. Both ex-Army majors, they met during the war in Iraq and were entangled in a memorable love triangle with Sandra Oh’s Cristina Yang in the show’s earlier years. Their journey took them from best friends to spouses in Season 18, only to see their marriage unravel after a failed attempt at an open relationship. But as recent episodes have shown, the spark between them never fully faded, and fans can expect a “happy ending” in the finale, according to Rhimes.
Behind the scenes, the decision for McKidd and Raver to leave was described as a creative one, with the door left open for potential future returns. This approach mirrors the show’s tradition of allowing beloved characters to come and go, keeping the possibility alive for surprise appearances down the line. As Variety reported, production on Season 22 has just wrapped, and excitement is building for the finale, which McKidd himself directed.
The current Grey’s Anatomy cast remains stacked with familiar faces, including Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Caterina Scorsone, Camilla Luddington, Jason George, Chris Carmack, Anthony Hill, Alexis Floyd, Harry Shum Jr., and Adelaide Kane. The show continues to air Thursdays at 10 pm ET on ABC, maintaining its status as the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history.
As McKidd and Raver prepare to step away from Grey Sloan Memorial, their legacy—both as actors and as directors—will be felt for years to come. They leave behind a body of work that has shaped not just their own careers, but also the lives of millions of fans who have followed their characters’ journeys through love, loss, and everything in between. For now, viewers can look forward to one last ride with Owen and Teddy—a sendoff fitting for two of Grey’s Anatomy’s most enduring hearts.