Grey's Anatomy exit: Here's the real reason behind George O'Malley's abrupt departure

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WARNING: This article contains spoilers for Grey’s Anatomy. 

Grey’s Anatomy has an ever-revolving door when it comes to its cast with fan-favourite George O’Malley departing in 2008. 

As the husband of Callie Torrest (played by Sara Ramirez) and best friend to Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), George O’Malley (TR Knight) was a crucial cog at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. 

So ABC viewers were distraught when in season five, he jumped in front of a bus on the way home to save a woman’s life and was left severely disfigured. 

So much so that when he was taken to the hospital, his colleagues didn’t recognise him and only knew it was George when he traced “007” on Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) hand. 

In a heartbreaking twist, George’s brain fatally swelled during surgery, leaving his loved ones devastated by his unexpected death.

Grey's Anatomy's George O'Malley is played by actor TR Knight. (Image: GETTY) Why did actor TR Knight leave Grey’s Anatomy as George O’Malley?

It was in 2006 that Knight was in the heart of controversy after Preston Burke star Isaiah Washington called his co-star a derogatory LGBTQ+ term.

The George O’Malley actor had not yet come out as gay but did so to People shortly after the incident, stating: “I guess there have been a few questions about my sexuality, and I’d like to quiet any unnecessary rumors that may be out there.

“While I prefer to keep my personal life private, I hope the fact that I’m gay isn’t the most interesting part of me.”

But while it was this incident that made the headlines, this wasn’t the reason for Knight’s exit

The 51-year-old told Entertainment Weekly in 2009 that there had been a “breakdown in communication” with Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes.

Grey's Anatomy stras Meredith Grey, George O'Malley and Izzie Stevens. (Image: ABC)

Knight previously shared that he was uncomfortable with where his character was being led and struggled with the storyline where George cheated on Callie with Izzie. 

He also stopped probing the creators about his character’s development, in turn, leading to his choice to quit Grey’s Anatomy. 

Knight said: “My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about George].

“And with respect, I’m going to leave it at that.

“There just comes a time when it’s so clear that moving on is the best decision.”

Grey’s Anatomy is available to watch on Disney+.

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Grey's Anatomy exit: Here's the real reason behind George O'Malley's abrupt departure

Grey's Anatomy exit: Here's the real reason behind George O'Malley's abrupt departure

Grey's Anatomy exit: Here's the real reason behind George O'Malley's abrupt departure

Grey's Anatomy exit: Here's the real reason behind George O'Malley's abrupt departure

Grey's Anatomy exit: Here's the real reason behind George O'Malley's abrupt departure