Grey’s Anatomy will bid farewell to two of its main characters this season. Kelly McCreary, who plays Maggie Pierce, Meredith Gray’s (Ellen Pompeo) half-sister on the medical drama, is leaving the ABC series after nine years.
McCreary’s final episode as a series regular airs April 13. However, Kelly will make a final appearance later in the season, as will Ellen Pompeo, who is set to leave the show on February 23.
“After nine seasons, I say goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Gray 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 forever be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff and ABC for this opportunity, and to the incredible fans for their passionate support. Spending nine years exploring a character from the ground up, while reaching global audiences with impactful stories, is a rare gift.
“It gave me the opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and be inspired by countless brilliant artists in front of and behind the camera.”
“Playing Maggie Pierce has been one of the true joys of my life and I leave with deep gratitude for every step of this journey. I’m excited for this next chapter and what the future holds.
“Kelly McCreary is a writer’s dream come true; bright, nuanced, thoughtful and kind,” Vernoff said. “She will be deeply missed by us and her beautiful Dr Maggie Pierce.”
Identified as picky and always in control, Maggie was announced in the penultimate episode of season 10. McCreary became a series regular in season 11.