Grey’s Anatomy will lose two main characters this season. Kelly McCreary, who plays Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) younger sister Maggie Pierce in the medical drama, is leaving the ABC series after nine years.
McCreery’s final episode as a series regular will air on April 13. However, the actress will make her last appearance at the end of the season, just like Ellen Pompeo, who is set to exit the show on February 23.
“After nine seasons, I’m saying goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Grey’s Sloan family,” said McCreary, who thanked Grey’s Anatomy creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes, executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff and ABC for the opportunity.
“I will always be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff and ABC for making this possible, and to the amazing fans for their enthusiastic support. To spend nine years exploring a character inside and out, while reaching a global audience with compelling stories, is a rare gift.”
“It has given me the opportunity to work with, learn from, and be inspired by countless wonderful artists, both in front of and behind the camera.”
“Playing Maggie Pearce has been one of the true joys of my life and I leave with great gratitude for every step of the journey. I’m excited for this next chapter and what the future holds.”
“Kelly McCreery is a writer’s dream come true; brilliant, nuanced, thoughtful and kind,” Vernoff said. “We will miss her and her beautifully made Dr. Maggie Pearce very much.”
Carefully and constantly under surveillance, Maggie was announced in the second to last episode of season 10. McCreery was a series regular for the 11th season.