Kim Raver & Kevin McKidd Leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ As Teddy & Owen

In a Grey’s Anatomy bombshell, two longtime cast members, Kim Raver and Kevin McKidd, will be departing the veteran medical drama at the end of this season. It is fitting that the duo is leaving together as they have been linked on the show for most of their tenures, with their characters Teddy Altman (Raver) and Owen Hunt (McKidd) going on a journey from friends to star-crossed lovers with bad timing to a married couple with children to, most recently, co-parenting exes.

McKidd and Raver were informed that they would leaving Grey’s more than a month ago, sources said. Their last episode (for now) will be the Season 22 finale, which just wrapped production this week and is set to air May 7 on ABC, streaming next day on Hulu.

The medical drama has not been renewed for next season yet but is fully expected to. As Deadline reported last month, the pickup will likely be accompanied by a budget cut, with a slightly reduced order than the 18 episodes the show has produced the last two seasons a possibility.

While the departure of two longtime cast members from a veteran ensemble drama alleviates budget pressure, Raver and McKidd’s exits are believed to be a creative decision, one that Grey’s fans who have followed the duo’s storyline over the past couple of seasons would understand.

There will be a nice payoff for those who have been invested in Owen and Teddy’s relationship, Grey’s Anatomy creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes hinted.

“Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy’s love story evolve and deepen – two characters who always seem to find their way back to each other,” she said. “It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves.”

Aside from original cast members Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr. and Ellen Pompeo, McKidd had been the longest-serving Grey’s series regular. He joined at the start of Season 5; this is his 18th season on the show.

“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,” McKidd said.

Raver started on Grey’s as a recurring in Season 6 and was quickly promoted to series regular the same season. She left after a three-year run before returning as a recurring in Season 14, resuming a series regular status the following season. She’s been on Grey’s for 12 seasons total.

“Playing Dr. Teddy Altman will always hold a dear and special place in my heart,” Raver said.

Grey’s executive producer/showrunner Meg Marinis indicated that Raver and McKidd could return in the future — something Raver already did once after leaving the show.

“While their story is coming to a close, this is never truly a goodbye,” Marinis said. “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.”

Teddy and Owen started off as close friends during their time in the military. At Seattle Grace (now Grey Sloan) years later, he recommended Teddy, a cardiothoracic surgeon, who was brought in as a mentor to Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). That led to the first of several love triangles Teddy and Owen become part of over the years, with Owen marrying Cristina.

The duo’s paths parted again after Teddy was dramatically fired from Seattle Grace by Owen in the Season 8 finale so she would take her dream chief job at MEDCOM.

Soon after Teddy returned in Season 14, she became pregnant with Owen’s child as he was separating from his second wife, Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone). The duo navigated another love triangle, with Tom Koracick (Greg Germann). They eventually married, went on the run after Owen was caught assisting terminally ill veterans end their lives, got back and eventually grew apart and started seeing other people.

Teddy broke things off in the Season 22 finale, with the two getting divorced earlier this season. In a possible precursor to the “happy ending” teased by Rhimes, Teddy and Owen recently started hooking up, with Teddy cancelling a pre-scheduled date in last week’s episode as the former couple seem on track for a reconciliation.

“Kevin and Kim bring extraordinary talent, nuance and heart to their roles as Owen and Teddy,” Rhimes said. “Their contributions leave an indelible mark on Grey’s Anatomy, both in front of and behind the camera.”

McKidd has become a regular director on Grey’s after making his debut behind the camera in Season 7. He has helmed 48 episodes to date and, fittingly, directed the upcoming Season 22 finale, which will send off his and Raver’s characters, with a possibility for more in the future. Raver has directed 3 episodes of Grey’s.

While Grey’s cast exits are not rare, departures of multiple longtime stars at the same time are. Previous cases have included Chyler Leigh & Eric Dane, who left together, as did Jessica Capshaw & Sarah Drew.

Below are Rhimes and Marinis’ statements in full. You can find McKidd and Raver’s reaction to their exits, their reflections on their time on the show, along with a photos from their journey on Grey’s here.

Shonda Rhimes:

Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy’s love story evolve and deepen- two characters who always seem to find their way back to each other. It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves.

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.

While we will all miss seeing them in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial each day, I am excited to witness where Kim’s and Kevin’s journeys will take them in the future.

Meg Marinis:

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.