Grey’s Anatomy: Karev Actor Reveals If He’d Return To The Show 4 Years After His Controversial Exit

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Grey’s Anatomy‘s Alex Karev actor, Justin Chambers, addresses whether he’ll return to the show after four years. Chambers left Grey’s Anatomy after 16 seasons of playing Alex Karev. In the series, Karev learned about the existence of his two children and decided to leave Grey Sloan and his wife Jo (Camilla Luddington) to reunite with his ex-wife Izzie (Katherine Heigl). His departure came as a shock to the show’s long-time fans and also received backlash.

Speaking to TVLine while promoting his new show, Accused, the actor shut down the possibility of returning to the franchise any time soon by saying, “That chapter is closed for now.” Though he is grateful for his time on the ABC drama, Chambers is content with seeking out other opportunities for the time being. Check out his comment below:

Thank you forever, Shonda Rhimes, but getting the opportunity to play characters like Marlon Brando in The Offer and Tyler in The Accused, both completely different from Alex, is why I’m excited to embrace new roles from talented writers and storytellers.

What His Comment Means For Alex’s Future

Alex Isn’t Returning Anytime Soon

Chambers’ comments confirm that he has no plans to return to the Grey’s Anatomy franchise for now. However, he also doesn’t shut down the idea of it in the future. The actor is currently enjoying where his career takes him after Grey’s Anatomy. After spending almost two decades playing the same character, the idea of returning to the same role doesn’t really appeal to Chambers.

A composite image features Izzie Alex kissing on their wedding day over a background of the original cast of Greys Anatomy

Of the many romances on the long-running drama Grey’s Anatomy, Izzie and Alex have a sweet, special, and complicated relationship.

Leaving the show was the actor’s idea in the first place, who voiced a similar sentiment when he exited the series. Grey’s Anatomy had to write Alex out because Chambers wanted to diversify his career choices and pursue other acting roles while spending more time with his family. Four years and a half later, it seems that his statement still stands. It proves that ultimately, his departure worked out for the best, even despite the backlash it earned for how it played out onscreen. For now, Alex Karev won’t return to the show, but the door is still open.

Our Take On Alex’s Potential Grey’s Anatomy Return

His Return Might Make Things Worse

Justin Chambers as Alex Karev speaking to someone in Grey's Anatomy season 16

It’s no secret that Alex Karev has one of Grey’s Anatomy‘s worst exits. The character didn’t even share a proper goodbye with everyone, but instead left a letter to those he had viewed as family. Alex’s exit is both sudden and heartbreaking, not to mention how it left Jo and Meredith in an emotionally raw place. Choosing Izzie over his current wife, life, and friends also sounds out-of-character, but it begs the question of whether him returning would actually fix that.

His departure was hard enough in the first place for Grey’s Anatomy fans. Bringing him back would be an awful move, even for an original character like Alex. Meredith would be furious with him, and Jo would be confused. While Grey’s Anatomy is now in season 21, Alex’s return wouldn’t be welcomed at Grey Sloan with Alex having no place in the series, given that he has already made the choice to be with Izzie. Even if Alex returned, he wouldn’t truly be back. His exit is terrible enough, and leaving it as is might not be the worst.