Jesse Williams To Exit ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ After 12 Seasons

Jesse Williams will not be returning to Grey’s Anatomy after this season.

The actor who portrays the handsome surgeon Jackson Avery has starred in the medical drama since 2009. He originally joined as recurring and was promoted to a series regular in season 7.

“I will forever be grateful for the boundless opportunities provided me by Shonda [Rhimes], the network, studio, fellow castmates, our incredible crew, Krista [Vernoff], Ellen [Pompeo], and Debbie [Allen],” Williams said in a statement to Deadline.

“As an actor, director and person, I have been obscenely lucky to learn so much from so many, and I thank our beautiful fans, who breathe so much energy and appreciation into our shared worlds.”

“Jesse Williams is an extraordinary artist and activist. Watching his evolution these past 11 years both on screen and off has been a true gift,” Grey’s Anatomy executive producer/showrunner Krista Vernoff said in a statement. “Jesse brings so much heart, such depth of care, and so much intelligence to his work. We will miss Jesse terribly, and we will miss Jackson Avery — played to perfection for so many years.”

The news about the actor exiting the show came during Thursday’s (May 6) episode. Williams’ final episode, titled “Tradition,” is set to air on May 20.