Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver to leave 'Grey's Anatomy' after 16 seasons

"Grey's Anatomy" is parking ways with two core characters, Kevin McKidd's Dr. Owen Hunt and Kim Raver's Dr. Teddy Altman, seemingly over creative differences.

Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver are both set to exit the long-running ABC medical drama after the Season 22 finale, the actors confirmed on Wednesday, March 25. Their exits are due to creative decisions based on a storyline, but the door is open for their characters returning in the future, USA TODAY has learned.

The show "has been a huge chapter of my life, creatively and personally, and I'm deeply grateful for everything the show has given me over the years," McKidd said in a statement shared with USA TODAY. "I've had the privilege of working with an extraordinary group of people throughout that time."

McKidd, who has portrayed the trauma surgeon since the Season 5 premiere in 2008 and has become a series regular ever since, added he was "particularly thankful to Shonda Rhimes for creating Owen, and for the encouragement she gave me as I stepped into directing."

His character, while not always the most beloved by fans, has been integral to the major plot lines from Hunt's stint as chief of surgery at the hospital to his romances with Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorscone) and also Teddy Altman (Raver).

Kim Raver says Teddy Altman holds 'special place in my heart'

Raver's cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Teddy, made her "Grey's Anatomy" debut in Season 6, joining alongside fellow 2009 additions Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) and April Kepner (Sarah Drew). Altman was not only introduced as a mentor figure for Cristina Yang but also as a best friend and unrequited flame to Owen Hunt, after the pair served in the U.S. Army as trauma surgeons in Iraq.

"Playing Dr. Teddy Altman will always hold a dear and special place in my heart," Raver wrote on Instagram. "To the fans, your unwavering devotion and support are the reason this show remains such a force. Thank you for making this set my place of magic and my home."

Teddy left the hospital in the Season 8 finale following the death of her husband, Henry Burton (Scott Foley), and later reprised her role as a guest star in Season 14 before becoming a series regular again in Season 15.

"I feel so fortunate to have worked under the brilliance of Debbie Allen, who not only mentored me but welcomed me into the Director's chair," her social media statement continued. "To my amazingly talented castmates and our formidable, tireless crew: playing in this arena with you has been a joy, and I will carry this company in my heart always."

McKidd and Raver's characters have been intertwined since Season 6, with Owen initially grappling with his long-term feelings for Teddy while also being in love with Cristina Yang.

By Season 15, the characters finally pursued a relationship together and later repeatedly faced tribulations from new love interests, including Dr. Tom Koracick (Greg Germann) and Dr. Cass Beckman (Sophia Bush), while sharing two children.

The actors have also directed several episodes of the show, with McKidd having directed the most episodes in the show's history.

'Grey Anatomy' fans react to Owen Hunt's departure

While Raver and McKidd's exits are somber for the "Grey's Anatomy" family, some fans are cheering at the exit of the character Owen Hunt, who, at times, was far from being a fan favorite.

The trauma surgeon was heavily scrutinized for his actions in his past relationships, including screaming at Cristina for having an abortion in Season 7 and cheating on her in Season 8. Many fans blame him for the deaths of beloved characters Dr. Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), who died in a plane crash that occurred because Owen had booked a cheap flight from an airline with an unreliable history during his tenure as chief.

"Wait I'm actually shocked. Can they kill Owen off and keep teddy tho," X user @eggscrams wrote while @lovingbenley wrote, "NO WAY ARE WE ACTUALLY FREE OF OWEN HUNT???????"

"Oh look, finally Owen leaves a decade after I quit watching. I wanted him to die the year he came on the show 😂 …the character …I love Kevin Mckidd," user @MollyVegas wrote on X.

Shonda Rhimes says goodbye to 'bittersweet and joyful' exit

Series creator and former showrunner Shonda Rhimes shared a tribute to McKidd's and Raver's exit over a decade after she created their characters.

"Over the years, we have had the privilege of watching Owen and Teddy’s love story evolve and deepen- two characters who always seem to find their way back to each other. It is both bittersweet and joyful to give this couple the happy ending their story deserves," she wrote in a statement.

She thanked McKidd and Raver for bringing "extraordinary talent, nuance and heart" to their roles and leaving "an indelible mark on Grey’s Anatomy, both in front of and behind the camera."

"I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with them both and to see them shine. While we will all miss seeing them in the halls of Grey Sloan Memorial each day, I am excited to witness where Kim’s and Kevin’s journeys will take them in the future," she wrote.

Current showrunner Meg Marinis said the two stars will always be "cherished members of the Grey's Anatomy" family.

"While their story is coming to a close, this is never truly a goodbye," Marinis wrote. "We are endlessly grateful for the years, the artistry and the memories they’ve given to the show and we look forward to cheering them on in whatever comes next."