Since its inception in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has seen many characters come and go, sometimes in line with the show’s plot and sometimes due to some behind-the-scenes drama that eventually led to the departure of a cast member.
Then some cast members decided to go on their own, like actress Kim Raver, who played Teddy Altman. Raver left Grey’s Anatomy during the season 8 finale, however, unlike other characters on the show, she was not killed.
Instead, she was fired from the hospital to accept a position at a military base. Raver never spoke publicly about her departure, but showrunner Shonda Rhimes tweeted an explanation after the episode, saying that Raver’s “series option was ready” and that she was giving the character a “much-needed vacation.”
Kim Raver made her return as a series regular for season 15
Even after she departed from the show after Grey’s Anatomy season 8, Raver was not gone forever, as she made her return as Dr. Teddy Altman during the season 14 finale.
It was later announced that Raver would be returning as a series regular for Grey’s Anatomy season 15 after Teddy’s character agreed to return to the hospital as acting chief of surgery and revealed that she was pregnant.
I am delighted to reprise the role of Dr. Teddy Altman as a regular, “Raver told the outlet.
Raver was the first of the Grey’s Anatomy cast to return in series regular capacity after leaving. Caterina Scorsone headed into spinoff private practice before returning as Amelia, Derek’s sister (Patrick Dempsey), and Isaiah Washington also reverted to their role as Preston Burke following Sandra Oh’s departure from the show. Additionally, Tessa Ferrer returned as Dr. Leah Murphy for season 13 after leaving as a regular in 2014.
