Eric Dane Exits Grey’s Anatomy

Eric Dane is checking out of Grey’s Anatomy! In the season 8 finale of Grey’s Anatomy viewers witnessed a tearful goodbye from Meredith’s sister Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) who succumbed to her injuries after a plane carrying Seattle Grace Mercy West’s finest doctors crashed in the middle of the woods .

After the finale, series creator and head writer Shonda Rhimes promised viewers that the doctors, who at the finale’s end were still stranded, weren’t out of the woods yet and that we still might lose our favorites. Well, it looks like we have confirmation on who we will say goodbye to during the premiere episode on September 27, and that’s Dr. Eric “McSteamy” Sloan.

Eric Dane, the actor who spilled the beans to TVLine revealed that after 6 seasons of playing Dr. Sloan that he too, was leaving the hit ABC show. Dane told TVLine, “I am extremely grateful to everyone at Grey’s, ABC and Shondaland for the experience and memories I have had over the course of this run. It has been wonderful to work alongside and learn from a creative force such as Shonda Rhimes.”

Grey’s Anatomy’s creator Shonda Rhimes also had encouraging words for Dane, her colleague, saying that the two, “did not come to this decision lightly, but after much consideration and conversations, he and I have decided that this is the right time for his storyline to end.” Rhimes continued, stating, “We’re a big family here at Grey’s with a long history together and Eric will always remain an important part of our family.”

Eric Dane’s exit is the third character exit of season 8 of Grey’s Anatomy. Besides Lexie’s goodbye to her ex boyfriend Sloan, viewers also said goodbye to Kim Raver’s Teddy who’s character was fired from the hospital.

Are you shocked Eric Dane is leaving Grey’s Anatomy? Will you watch despite three regular characters departing?