‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Camilla Luddington Reflects on Alex and Jo's Shocking Breakup
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Camilla Luddington only wants what's best for her Grey's Anatomy character in season 17 — even if that means Jo Wilson completely moving on from her ex-husband, Alex Karev (Justin Chambers).
During a jaw-dropping season premiere on November 12, Grey's fans were eager to see what was in store for Jo after her tumultuous storyline in season 16. The previous season left Jo grappling with an intense breakup after Alex left her to get back together with his ex-wife, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl).
Looking back on the controversial ending to Alex's story (following Justin's real-life exit from the show), Camilla thinks Alex going back to Izzie was appropriate.
"It did feel like probably the only way that [Alex] would leave her, I couldn't really imagine another way," Camilla tells Good Housekeeping. "So in order for them to break up, it, to me, did make sense, even though it was really shocking."
As painful as it might've been for fans and her character, Camilla doesn't see Alex and Jo's relationship as a total wash.
"She and Alex loved each other for a long time, and there was a lot of good that came out of that," Camilla explains. "I think that as she continues to work on herself and her mental health, you'll see her slowly but surely come out of this stronger."
So where exactly does that leave Jo in season 17? Revealing what's next for her character, Camilla says that Jo will face a variety of challenges in the new season. More specifically, Jo will be trying to heal from heartbreak while simultaneously dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, a major storyline the medical show will tackle throughout season 17.
"You do see that Jo has moments where she doesn't want to go to work," Camilla says. "She finds it really difficult, stressful, and depressing. She struggles and she's looking for comfort, and I think she's also looking for friendship this season."
As we saw in the premiere, Jo ends up seeking comfort through Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). In a shocking exchange, Jo asks the Chief of Plastic Surgery for a "sex favor.” Alas, their hookup ends with Jo breaking down in tears mid-kiss.
"I could not stop laughing," Camilla reveals while reflecting on the first time she read the script for that scene. "Honestly, Jesse and I, we get along really well. We laugh a lot together anyway. But we don't necessarily work together a lot, and for a long time now, I've been asking to work together. So, when these scenes hit, we thought it was hysterical. I was excited to film it, because I also loved that Jo was putting herself out there."
While fans speculate that there may be romance brewing between Jackson and Jo, Camilla sees their relationship as being more of a "seed of friendship" at the moment.
"I think that Jo shouldn't jump into anything serious right now," Camilla explains. "But I think if something organically happens, I'm down. I obviously live and breathe this character and just want her to be happy. So if that's with Jackson Avery, it's with Jackson Avery. If it's with someone else, it's with someone else."
Preferably though, that "someone else" would not be Alex: "For me, I don't know if I would want another ex-husband of hers to show up again. I feel like I'm rooting for Jo to move on and find her true love — her person!"
In fact, if Camilla had it her way, she'd want Jo's story to end with her getting everything she always wanted.
"I really want Jo to have a family. I think that's something she's craving, and I think that it's something that she loves the idea of," she says. "So I would like to see her happy with a partner, whoever that is ... and maybe some kids."
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