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Grey’s Anatomy exit: Why did Jerrika Hinton leave as Dr Stephanie Edwards?

Grey’s Anatomy fans are always curious of the reasons why stars leave, including Dr Stephanie Edwards actress Jerrika Hinton.

Stephanie was introduced in season nine as one of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital’s surgical residents and remained in the position for five seasons

Her time in the ABC medical drama came to an end during the season 13 finale after she suffered devastating burns after a fiery explosion in a hospital wing.

It was this near-death experience that caused Stephanie to re-evaluate her life, choosing to leave the job behind and start again.
Talking about her exit storyline, Hinton told ET: “My heart grows to think that I did get a hero’s end – that I got to go out in a way that was not just incredibly human and honest, but also inspirational.”

Why did Jerrika Hinton leave Grey’s Anatomy as Dr Stephanie Edwards?

While often it is the creators’ decision to write out characters, it was actress Hinton’s choice to leave Grey’s Anatomy.

She had booked the lead role in a Shondaland comedy pilot called Toast which, if it had been picked up, Hinton would have needed to reduce her time on Grey’s to make way for both series.

Even though work on Toast didn’t go ahead, it made the star think that she would like to try something new away from the internationally popular series.

Opening up to The Hollywood Reporter, she explained: “When Toast didn’t go, I went away and had a spiritual summer in a lot of ways.

“Shonda [Rhimes] and I had a meeting at the beginning of season 13 where we talked about my departure and my creative process, and she was very supportive of my wishes. And I am eternally grateful to her for understanding.”

Grey’s Anatomy: Stephanie Edwards left after a near-death experience. (Image: ABC)

Rhimes added in a statement: “Actors evolve differently and when an actor like Jerrika comes to me and says she wants to try something new creatively, I like to honor that.

“Jerrika has shared so much of herself with Stephanie and I am incredibly proud of the journey we’ve taken together.

“While I’m sad to see Stephanie leave Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, I am excited to see what’s next for Jerrika.”

Grey’s Anatomy’s Jerrika Hinton has since starred in Servant and Hunters. (Image: GETTY)

And since her departure from Grey’s, Hinton has gone on to star in a plethora of shows.

Some of her work in recent years have been in Odious, Here and Now, Doxxed, A Majestic Christmas and Servant.