Ellen Pompeo Emotionally Defended How 'Grey’s Anatomy’ Handled Justin Chambers’ Exit

Shannon Barbour
·4 min read
Photo credit: Richard Cartwright - Getty Images
Photo credit: Richard Cartwright - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

Grey’s Anatomy spoilers ahead!

  • Justin Chambers announced he was leaving Grey’s Anatomy back in January.

  • Fans learned Dr. Alex Karev’s fate during this week’s episode.

  • Ellen Pompeo posted a tribute to the show, its creators, and Justin after the episode aired.

While fans are livid that Grey’s Anatomy decided to end Dr. Alex Karev’s storyline by having him reunite with Izzy Stevens (Katherine Heigl) and say goodbye to everyone via letters from a farm in Kansas, Ellen Pompeo posted a heartfelt tribute to the show and Justin Chambers after his final episode aired.

After working together for 16 seasons, Ellen marked his emotional departure with a montage of their scenes together. Along with it, she thanked the Grey's fans for their continued support and said she believes this is the best possible way to end Justin’s time on the show. She wrote:

“Thanks to our national treasure @therealdebbieallen and the writers for giving Alex Karev the best send-off. Thanks to @shondarhimes for creating the most amazing character. For me, personally, for Karev to go back to the beginning...was the best possible storyline. It pays homage to those incredible first years and the incredible cast...that created a foundation so strong that the show is still standing.”

Ellen continued and encouraged fans to “not be sad” and to “pull up and celebrate the actors the writers and the fantastic crew who make this show come to life every week.” But, like, that’s way easier said than done. The show will never be the same!!

View this post on Instagram

Hi here I go again ... Thank YOU! You are truly the best most passionate most loyal fans anyone could ever ask for. Because of you we got to make great tv... because of you we got to make television history! I say often life is hard and thank God it is because like I tell my kids... it shows us what we are made ...of how strong we really are and let’s face it... without the lows there would be no dancing it out or celebrating this incredible experience we call life. Thanks to our national treasure @therealdebbieallen and the writers for giving Alex Karev the best send off. Thanks to @shondarhimes for creating the most amazing character. For me personally for Karev to go back to the beginning.... was the best possible storyline. It pays homage to those incredible first years and the incredible cast ...that created a foundation so strong that the show is still standing. So let’s not be sad. As our fearless leader DA always says let’s PULL UP and celebrate the actors the writers and the fantastic crew who make this show come to life every week. No matter what the challenge or how tired we all are in the end... you keep us going.....That is worth dancing it out over! So much love and gratitude to you all. Xo E

A post shared by Ellen Pompeo (@ellenpompeo) on Mar 6, 2020 at 8:28am PST

Justin announced he would be leaving the show back in January, leaving longtime Grey’s fans totally devastated. At the time, Justin said the move was an effort to take on more diverse acting roles and expand his career. Thanking ABC, Shonda Rimes, and original cast members like Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens, Justin said he was looking forward to turning 50 and being with his wife and kids.

View this post on Instagram

Cheers to 15 years, 332 episodes and making television history‼️Tonight, @greysabc becomes the longest running medical drama📽🎬👩🏽⚕️ of all time. We appreciate all of our viewers, new and old, that have kept us on all of these years. Thank you to @shondarhimes for being a trailblazer, to @abcnetwork for giving us a home, and to all of the incredible castmates, crew members and writers throughout the years. It takes a village.

A post shared by Justin Chambers (@officialjustinchambers) on Feb 28, 2019 at 7:51pm PST

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