Karev being an originalGrey’s Anatomycharacter makes his potential return more sought-after than others, but Justin Chambers’ comments against such a return 4 years after Karev’s departure paint a better picture for Jo’s future. Chambers leftGrey’s Anatomyas the show was in its 16th season, and while his character didn’t have a tragic ending,Alex Karev’s exit nonetheless was one ofGrey’s Anatomy’s most controversial. Between his last appearance happening via voiceover and the fact he left those he considered his family at Grey Sloan by saying goodbye via letter, Karev’s exit didn’t reflect the character’s steps forward.
Throughout the 16Grey’s Anatomyseasons Karev was a part of, he went through one of the most radical character developments, going from someone selfish, sometimes unfair, and detached from his peers to being Meredith’s person once Cristina moved to Switzerland and someone who generally cared about others.Karev leaving Jo without even telling her in person thus felt entirely out of character based on who he had become, even if the move reunited him with Izzie and his secret children. In light of the exit, Chambers’ opposition to return toGrey’s Anatomymeans good news for Jo and Meredith.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 New Cast & Returning Character Guide
The cast of Grey’s Anatomy season 21 features several returning and new characters. The season will also features forgotten Grey’s characters.
Justin Chambers Rules Out Returning As Karev In Grey’s Anatomy Anytime Soon
Chambers Has Played Various Different Roles Since Leaving Grey’s Anatomy Behind
Plenty of keyGrey’s Anatomycharacters returned in recent years, well after their exit from the show. From Addison’s storyline about reproductive healthcare inGrey’s Anatomyseasons 18 and 19 to Arizona’s brief cameo in season 20 and Jackson’s recurrent appearances in seasons 19 and 21, it has become more frequent for important characters to reappear in the medical drama. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case for Alex Karev, asJustin Chambers ruled out an imminentGrey’s Anatomyreturn, calling the chapter “closed for now,”despite reiterating how grateful he was for the opportunity in the medical drama.
Justin Chambers’s exit as Alex Karev was officially inGrey’s Anatomyseason 16, episode 16, but he appeared onscreen the last time during Meredith’s medical license hearing in season 16, episode 8.

Chambers’ refusal to return soon toGrey’s Anatomyreportedly has to do with the same reason he left the medical drama. Indeed,Chambers left the show because he wanted to explore playing different roles and charactersand leavingGrey’s Anatomygave him that chance. WhileChambers doesn’t shut down a possible return in the future, his focus continues to be very far away from playing Alex Karev again, and the completely opposite role he plays inAccuseddemonstrates the success he achieved in diversifying his career. Returning this soon as Karev onGrey’s Anatomywould go against his reported objective.
Jo Has Finally Moved On From His Betrayal & Is Happy
Karev not returning inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 is good news for Jo and potentially even Meredith.Alex’s departure from Seattle was puzzling, hurtful and unexpected, and it was viewed like that by Jo and Meredith. With Alex one of the few still at Grey Sloan besides Meredith’s mentors and friends, Miranda Bailey and Richard Webber, his sudden departure could appear as a betrayal, especially to someone like Meredith who had lost her fair share of loved ones unexpectedly. Returning inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 would add even more to Meredith’s plate, which is full between Catherine and her research.
Ben’s Grey’s Anatomy Season 21 Return Highlights The Sad Truth About His Intern Class
Ben’s return to Grey Sloan finally reunited him with his fellow resident Jo Wilson, thus highlighting an unexpectedly sad truth about interns.
However, the character most negatively affected by Alex’s return would be Jo Wilson. Indeed, it had been difficult for Jo to trust someone, and her and Alex’s wedding had only happened inGrey’s Anatomyseason 14’s finale. The way Alex left her enraged and shattered her, andit took a long time for Jo to overcome Alex’s betrayal. Returning to Grey Sloan Memorial inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21 would have the worst possible timing for Jo, who is finally happy and expecting with Link, as it could rehash one of the saddest heartbreaks from which Jo had to move on.

Does Grey’s Anatomy Still Need Karev To Return?
The Return Of Other Original Grey’s Anatomy Characters Would Work Better
Considering how farGrey’s Anatomyhas come, any original character returning would bring joy to audiences. However, Alex’s return is the one that would make the least sense inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21. Between the terrible way he left Jo, Meredith and the hospital and the reasons he had to do so – living with Izzie after finding love again and their children –Alex’s return could risk making his exit even worse, as it would be even more difficult to justify.
Even Izzie returning would work better, as it could provide an intriguing reunion with Meredith, Miranda and Richard.

The return of any other key originalGrey’s Anatomycharacter would be more functional to the story. With Meredith still at the center of the storm with her groundbreaking research, Cristina’s return wouldn’t be out of place. Even Izzie returning would work better, despite her longer absence from Grey Sloan, as it could provide an intriguing reunion with Meredith, Miranda and Richard. While Alex’s return could be counterproductive inGrey’s Anatomyseason 21, it could work later, thus making Chambers’ openness to return eventually good news for the medical drama’s future.
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Grey’s Anatomy
Cast
Grey’s Anatomy is a medical drama series revolving around surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The show features the professional and personal lives of these medical professionals, led initially by Dr. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo. Created by Shonda Rhimes, the series highlights the complexities of medical cases while delving into the interpersonal relationships among the hospital staff.