Grey’s Anatomy Says Goodbye to Kelly McCreary As Dr. Maggie Pierce

As if Grey’s Anatomy fans aren’t upset enough at Ellen Pompeo’s departure from the show, now another fan-favorite star is leaving. The show has announced that Kelly McCreary, who plays Dr. Maggie Pierce is also on the way out the door.

Kelly McCreary leaves Grey’s Anatomy

Nine years ago, Kelly McCreary joined the cast of Grey’s Anatomy as Meredith Grey’s half-sister, Maggie Pierce. Meanwhile, she also appeared in the Grey’s spinoff Station 19 for four episodes. Now, as Ellen Pompeo leaves her role as Meredith, Kelly is also leaving Grey’s Anatomy. Speaking of her departure, McCreary said, “I leave with profound gratitude for every step of this journey.”

According to Deadline, McCreary expressed her gratitude for the role of a lifetime, saying:

After nine seasons, I am saying goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Grey Sloan family. It has been a tremendous honor to be a part of such a legendary television institution as Grey’s Anatomy.

I will always be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff, and ABC for the opportunity, and to the incredible fans for their passionate support.

McCreary added, “To spend nine years exploring a character inside and out, while reaching a global audience with impactful stories, is a rare gift.” She continued by saying: “It has afforded me an opportunity to collaborate with, learn from, and be inspired by countless brilliant artists both in front of and behind the camera.”

Kelly said that playing Maggie Pierce was one of the true joys of her life and she leaves with “profound gratitude for every step of this journey.” However, she did add that she is excited for her next chapter and what the future holds.

Saying goodbye to her fans

Kelly also posted a lengthy and heartwarming message to her fans on Instagram, writing of “9 seasons, 200 episodes, scores of heroic surgeries.” In those episodes, there were, “countless brave patients, dozens of delightful sister house scenes, 1 episode with my real-life sister, some loss and some grief and a few “ghostly visitations from mothers.” Meanwhile, McCreary recalled “a handful of boyfriends, 2 gorgeous weddings, a bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns.”

Moreover, in her role as Maggie, she also saw “a bunch of awkward dinner parties, 1 punch taken (1 punch thrown)” and “at least 1 pratfall.”

It is very clear how much her role as Maggie meant to Kelly. Read her full message below.

Showrunner Krista Vernoff on Kelly McCreary exit

Speaking of the latest Grey’s Anatomy news, Vernoff said “Kelly McCreary is a writer’s dream come true; brilliant, nuanced, thoughtful, and kind.” She added, “We will deeply miss her and her beautifully crafted Dr Maggie Pierce.”

No doubt, Kelly’s fans will also miss her and her character, Dr. Maggie Pierce. Meanwhile, her final episode on Grey’s Anatomy airs on Thursday, April 13 on ABC.