Grey's Anatomy Cast: Then and Now

A lot has changed since Shonda Rhimes' Grey's Anatomy premiered on ABC in 2005. In fact, following the departure of Justin Chambers, whose character, Alex Karev, was dispatched with a controversial Season 16 storyline twist, the hit medical drama's only original cast members still on rounds are Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens Jr. Click ahead to look back -- and catch up -- with all your favorites.

Spoiler alert: If Grey's Anatomy is new to you, then be advised that character storylines -- and exits -- will be discussed.

In 2005, Pompeo introduced the world to the "dark and twisty" -- and relatable -- Dr. Meredith Grey, the protagonist of Grey's Anatomy.

Pompeo, 50, is seen with husband Chris Ivery at a Los Angeles Lakers game in February 2020. After all these years, Pompeo is still playing Meredith Grey, and thanks to her contract, is one of the highest-paid actresses in the world.

Ramirez first appeared as Dr. Callie Torres, the show's first openly bisexual main character, all the way back in Season 2.

Ramirez, 44, seen at a 2019 benefit concert for WorldPride in New York City, exited Grey's after Season 12. She went on to play Kat Sandoval on CBS' Madam Secretary in Seasons 4-5.

Dempsey's character may not be the sun, as Derek Shepherd prompts Cristina Yang to remind Meredith Grey, but the actor shined for 11 seasons on Grey's as the doctor known as "McDreamy."

The silver fox, 54, seen at an event in Austria in January 2020, is due to return to primetime TV in Fall 2020 via Devils, an Italian-produced thriller series that's been acquired for stateside audiences by the CW.  

Oh gave life to the whip-smart Dr. Cristina Yang, Meredith Grey's best friend, for 10 seasons.

Since leaving Grey's to pursue other projects, Oh, 48, has co-hosted the Golden Globes, and won a Golden Globe for her performance as Eve Polastri on the BBC America series Killing Eve. She's seen here at a New York City benefit gala in February 2020. 

Since Season 6, Williams has played hospital heartthrob Dr. Jackson Avery.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the 38-year-old Williams was set to appear in an all-star Broadway revival of the baseball-themed play, Take Me Out. The production was suspended the day after Williams was snapped at this March 11, 2020, promotional event for the show. 

From the very first Grey's episode, Wilson commanded attention as the take-no-prisoners Dr. Miranda Bailey.

All these years later, Wilson is still a force: She's one of the last original cast members standing on Grey's.

Chambers played the brooding, handsome Dr. Alex Karev on Grey's Anatomy for 16 seasons.

Chambers made his final appearance on Grey's Anatomy in its 300th episode. In a statement announcing his departure, Chambers said it was time to "diversity my acting roles." On a subsequent episode, Alex Karev was said to have moved to Kansas to be with (throwback time!) Dr. Izzie Stevens.

In Season 5, McKidd's character, Dr. Owen Hunt, made quite the first impression: He saved Cristina from an icicle impaling.

McKidd is still operating as Owen Hunt. For a while, he moonlighted as a voice actor on the Disney XD animated series, Star Wars Rebels.

In Grey's Anatomy's 2005 debut, Pickens starred as the then-Seattle Grace's chief of surgery, Dr. Richard Webber.

Pickens' character may no longer be Meredith Grey's boss, but Webber remains a hospital presence -- and Pickens remains in the Grey's main cast.

Heigl portrayed model-turned-doctor Dr. Izzie Stevens for six über-dramatic seasons.

Since her character checked out of the Seattle scene in Season 6, Heigl has starred in two short-lived series, State of Affairs and Doubt. She joined the cast of Suits in 2018. She's due next to appear in Firefly Lane, a Netflix series based on the coming-of-age novel of the same name. 

Capshaw debuted as the endlessly cheerful Dr. Arizona Robbins in Season 5.

Capshaw, who departed Grey's after Season 14, is slated to appear in the Netflix rom-com film, Holidate.

From Seasons 1-5, Knight played lovable, loyal Dr. George O'Malley.

Since his character met a grisly end, Knight has gone on to enjoy a successful post-Grey's career, with recurring roles on The Good Wife, The Catch, Genius, and The Bravest Knight.

McCreary debuted as Dr. Maggie Pierce -- a cardiothoracic surgeon and Meredith Grey's surprise half-sister -- in Season 10.

McCreary joined the Grey's cast as a series regular in Season 11.

Walsh played Dr. Addison Montgomery, the flame-haired ex love of Dr. Derek Shepherd, for 59 episodes, through Seasons 1-8. She also played the character for six seasons on the Grey's spinoff, Private Practice.

Post-Shondaland, Walsh has been all over the small screen. Recently, she's appeared in two breakout Netflix series, The Umbrella Academy, and 13 Reasons Why.

Utterback has played Olivia Harper, a nurse, through parts of six seasons. She was last seen in Season 14.

In addition to Grey's, Utterback has appeared on The Mysteries of Laura, Cleansed, and the upcoming Seeds of Doubt.

From Seasons 2-9, Dane played the incorrigible flirt, Dr. Mark Sloan.

While Dr. Sloan died following a plane crash, Dane is alive and well, and most recently crushed it on Season 1 of the HBO series Euphoria.

Washington, an original cast member, played Dr. Preston Burke, Seattle Grace's head of cardiothoracic surgery, from Seasons 1-3.

After being dropped from Grey's for lashing out at co-star T.R. Knight with an anti-gay slur, Washington has appeared on Blue Bloods, The 100, and many other TV series.

When introduced in Season 6, Drew's character, April Kepner, was sugar-sweet -- and desperate to prove herself.

Drew exited Grey's after Season 14. In 2018, she played Cagney in a would-be Cagney & Lacey reboot that died in the pilot stage.

From Seasons 3-8, Leigh played Dr. Lexie Grey, the younger sister Meredith Grey never knew about -- or wanted.

Since leaving Grey's Anatomy, Leigh has joined the DC universe. The actress has had roles on Arrow, The Flash, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl.

Raver's character, Dr. Teddy Altman, makes trouble for Cristine and Owen when she comes to town in Season 6.

Departing the series after Season 8, Raver returned to Grey's in Season 14. In between, she had stints on Ray Donovan and Designated Survivor.

Scorsone first appeared as McDreamy's younger sister, Dr. Amelia Shepherd, in Season 3. She became a series regular in Season 11.

Scorsone, who remains with Grey's, is pictured here at Entertainment Weekly's pre-SAG Awards party in 2019.

Luddington first appeared on Grey's in Season 9. Her character, Jo Wilson, was paired off, if fitfully, with Justin Chambers' Alex Karev.

Luddington is still on Grey's; her character was married to (and eventually dumped by) Alex. 

Gianniotti first appeared on Grey's in Season 11 as Dr. Andrew DeLuca.

The Canadian actor joined the regular cast in Season 12. His character is Meredith Grey's post-McDreamy-era love interest.