The Grey’s Anatomy Season 12 finale was packed full of action, and set up a lot of storylines for Season 13. However, one fan favorite character will be noticeably absent when the show returns later this year.
According to Entertainment Weekly , actress Sara Ramirez, who plays doctor Callie Torres on the hit ABC medical drama has decided to leave the series after 10 years.
The news of Sara Ramirez’s big Grey’s Anatomy exit in Season 13 hit the web just minutes after the Season 12 finale ended, in which viewers watched Callie and Arizona make peace, and agree to share custody of their daughter, Sophia, so that Callie could move to New York and be with the woman she loves.
As the news broke that Ramirez was no longer going to appear on the series, the actress gave a heartfelt statement about her time on the show, thanking the creator, Shonda Rhimes, as well as her castmates, and hinted that she could one day return as sassy Dr. Torres.
“I’m deeply grateful to have spent the last 10 years with my family at Grey’s Anatomy and ABC, but for now I’m taking some welcome time off. Shonda’s been so incredible to work for, and we will definitely continue our conversations! I send my love to Ellen [Pompeo], the rest of the cast and crew, and I look forward to always being a part of the Shondaland family!”
During Season 12, Callie’s main storyline was her relationship with Dr. Penny Blake, and the impact that relationship had on Meredith, the widow of Penny’s former patient, and Arizona, Callie’s ex-wife. Once the initial shock of Penny and Callie’s relationship wore off, everything seemed to be fine, until Penny won a grant that would move her to New York for at least a year.
Grey’s Anatomy fans watched as Callie and Arizona were engaged in a nasty custody battle over their daughter Sophia, and were forced to have their friends and co-workers get sucked in to the drama as well. In the end, it was Arizona who ended up with custody of the child, leaving Callie to stay behind in Seattle as Penny moved to New York.
In the Season 12 finale, Arizona made a heartbreaking decision to let go of all the anger and let Sophia move to New York with Callie, only if the pair were to share custody fairly. “Sophia deserves two happy moms,” Arizona told her ex-wife, and the two women embraced as friends, possibly for the last time on the show.
Callie Torres leaving the show means that Grey’s Anatomyviewers may now get to see Arizona focus on her own love life, and possibly move on with someone new, as she deserves to be happy as well. Could Season 13 be a new beginning for Arizona Robins? Fans certainly hope so.
Meanwhile, Grey’s Anatomy Season 13 will bring about a lot of changes for all the characters. Jackson and April are now the proud parents of a baby girl, and viewers are desperate for the fan favorite couple to reunite. It seems that Owen and Ameila are about to tie the knot, and that Meredith is ready to move on with Dr. Nathan Riggs. However, Mere could have a serious problem on her hands as her sister, Maggie, also has a crush on Nathan. Will the two sisters be at odds when the show returns in the fall?
Although Sara Ramirez’s Callie Torres won’t be a part of the next season, fans are sure that she’ll be mentioned often, the way the rest of the former cast members are, especially Derek Shepherd, Cristina Yang , and Izzie Stevens. Since her character is still alive fans are hoping that she’ll return to the series in the future.
What are your thoughts on Sara Ramirez leaving Grey’s Anatomy as Callie Torres in Season 13?
[Image via ABC]