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10 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Characters Fans Wish Would Return

Throughout the series, we’ve seen beloved characters come and go, with fans wondering why some even had to exit at all.

Since 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has been a constant staple in the lives of fans who have laughed, cried, and then cried some more throughout the heart-wrenching ABC medical drama. The show follows Dr. Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) as she navigates through her life at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital in Seattle.

Throughout the series, we’ve seen beloved characters come and go (some in the worst way possible) and sometimes, fans wonder why some characters even had to exit the show at all. From Cristina Yang’s tearful departure to George O’Malley’s brutal death, fan-favorites leave a hole in the hearts of fans when the actor takes off for greener pasture.

Here are some characters fans hope to see return for the show’s final season, even if it is impossible to bring them back.

10.Fan-Favorite Cristina Will Always Have Our Hearts

She was Meredith’s person, yet Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) took off for Switzerland to take the place of her former fiancé Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) as head of a hospital in the season 10 finale.

But why didn’t she return for some major moments in her best friend’s life? Fans demand answers and hope for at least one more Cristina/Meredith dance scene before the show ends.

9.April Kepner Should Always Be Welcomed Back

At first, when Dr. April Kepner (Sarah Drew) came onto the scene during the major hospital merger, fans weren’t too sure about her brown-nosing ways. But she quickly won hearts with her smart style and rocky relationship with Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). Her departure was a sad one and fans would like to see her return, even for one episode.

8.George’s Return Was All Too Brief

Fans were both shocked and delighted to once again see the face of George O’Malley (T.R. Knight) who returned in spirit with Derek Sheperd (Patrick Dempsey), on the show during season 17, after his brutal death in season six, even if it was briefly.

7.Fans Are Still Mourning Mary Portman

Everyone remembers the panic-inducing episode of Grey’s when a gunman ran loose in the hospital, taking out doctors during the season six finale. Patient Mary Portman (Mandy Moore, who you may have forgotten starred on the show) survived the terrifying ordeal, only to die episodes later after a basic, routine surgery. It was utterly devastating.

6.Other Than MerDer, Arizona And Callie Were A Favorite Couple

When Dr. Callie Torres (Sara Ramírez) first arrived on the show, she didn’t have the best of luck in the romance department – then along came Dr. Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) to sweep her off her feet. The two married but ended up parting ways. Arizona ended up leaving Seattle in season 14 to go reconcile with Callie, who moved to New York.

5.Fans Could Never Really Let Go Of Lexie

Little Grey stole fans’ hearts with her innocent personality after becoming a series regular in season four. When Shondaland killed Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) off in the plane crash at the end of season eight, fans were livid.

Creator Shonda Rhimes said that after a lot of discussion with Leigh, both decided it was time for the character’s journey to end.

4.Addison, Oh Sweet Addison

Folks weren’t too sure if they were going to like Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) when she showed up to ruin Meredith and Derek’s love bubble in season one. That quickly changed, though, when her likable personality came out after she got out of the way of the two love birds. Sure, Addison got her own spinoff show (Private Practice), but fans still want her back on Grey’s Anatomy.

3.Everyone Could Use Another Dose Of Virginia Dixon

Dr. Virginia Dixon’s (Mary McDonnell) stay at the hospital was brief but left a mark on the show for so many reasons, one being that she portrayed a doctor suffering from autism. Her interactions with both Cristina and Dr. Bailey (Chandra Wilson) were very  memorable and fans would welcome her presence back to the show.

2.Reed’s Exit Was Too Tragic

While Dr. Reed Adamson wasn’t every fan’s cup of tea, the way she died on the show was absolutely shocking and is considered one of the saddest deaths of the series simply because of the shock factor. Reed was gunned down by the active shooter who terrorized the hospital in the season six finale.

1.Please Come Back, Alex

Along with Meredith, Dr. Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) was considered one of the most beloved characters on the show and even became Meredith’s person after Cristina departed.

Alex leaving the show left a huge hole in the hearts of fans who want to see him back in the final season. Grey’s Anatomy doesn’t make sense without Alex coming back one more time.