Kelly McCreary is leaving Grey’s Anatomy after nine seasons of the hit medical drama

Kelly McCreary has announced she’s hanging up her scrubs after playing Meredith Grey’s half-sister, Maggie Pierce, on the hit series Grey’s Anatomy for nine seasons.

The 41-year-old actress confirmed the news to her 2.1 million Instagram followers on Friday as she reflected on some of her character’s most memorable scenes.

“9 seasons, 200 episodes, numerous heroic surgeries, countless brave patients, dozens of delightful scenes in the nursing home, 1 episode with my real sister, some loss and some grief,” she captioned a screenshot of the popular medical drama.

She further recalled that Pierce, who serves as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital, experienced “a few ghostly visits from” her late mothers, a “bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns,” and “a handful of boyfriends.”

The mother of a child also mused on filming several awkward dinner parties, taking and dealing a punch, and learning tons of “medical jargon” over the years.

In addition, McCreary said she leaves the show with a “lot of friends for life” and a very “grateful heart”.

‘THANK YOU. What a ride!’ she concluded.

In a statement, the Wisconsin native, who graduated from Barnard in 2003, said she was saying “goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Gray Sloan family.”

“It was a huge honor to be a part of such a legendary television institution as Grey’s Anatomy,” the star continued. “I will always be grateful to Shonda Rhimes, Krista Vernoff and ABC for the opportunity, and the incredible fans for their passionate support.”

McCreary also raved that “spending nine years exploring a character inside and out” is a “rare gift.”

“It has given me the opportunity to collaborate with, learn from and be inspired by countless brilliant artists, both in front of and behind the camera,” said the artist.

Regarding playing Maggie Pierce, McCreary called the role “one of the true joys of” her life.

“I leave with deep gratitude for every step of this journey. I’m excited for this next chapter and what the future holds,” the Life star shared deadline.

Looking back: The 41-year-old actress confirmed the news to her 2.1 million Instagram followers on Friday as she reflected on some of her character’s most memorable scenes

“9 seasons, 200 episodes, numerous heroic surgeries, countless brave patients, dozens of delightful scenes in the nursing home, 1 episode with my real sister, some loss and some grief,” she captioned a screenshot of the popular medical drama (seen in 2009). 2020)

Role of her life: She further recalled that Pierce, who serves as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Gray Sloan Memorial Hospital, experienced “a few ghostly visits from” her late mothers, a “bunch of drunken emotional breakdowns” and “a handful of boyfriends’

In October 2021, McCreary welcomed her daughter Indigo Wren, with husband Pete Chatmon in October 2021.

Despite her excitement about having a child, she admitted that she was initially hesitant to try to conceive because she still had career milestones she wanted to complete.

“I actually screamed in shock when I saw she was pregnant. I mean, I just wasn’t expecting it. I had really prepared myself mentally and emotionally for the possibility that it could take some time to conceive. So I was honestly shocked,” she told People at the time.

Departure: In a statement, the Wisconsin native, who graduated from Barnard in 2003, said she was saying “goodbye to Maggie Pierce and her Gray Sloan family” (pictured in 2022)

She continued, “I’m very lucky to have a partner who just rah, rah, wants this kid to come into our lives and explore all the ways parenthood will disrupt and challenge everything we’ve planned.”

“This kid is so wanted and so loved, whatever happens will be fine, and we’ll make it work,” McCreary gushed.

The actress’s departure comes after the last episode of Ellen Pompeo aired regularly last month.