Only five episodes into the newest season of Grey’s Anatomy, and a main cast member has already left the show.

GREY’S ANATOMY RECAP

Unlike past exits, Martin Henderson‘s Nathan Riggs had a happy ending. Instead of dying, as many of Shonda Rhimes‘ characters tend to do, Riggs decided to move to Los Angeles. It has been confirmed that this move made Thursday’s show Henderson’s final episode as a series regular.

“I loved that we were able to give Riggs a happy ending worthy of his character and talent,” said executive producer and creator Rhimes. “As for Martin, this is not an ending for our relationship. He has been part of the Shondaland family since the pilot of Inside the Box and he will always be family. I can’t wait to find a new project to work with him on in the future.”

Riggs was an army vet, who had a particular connection with Dr. Owen Hunt. Riggs’ was engaged to Hunt’s sister Megan, all of whom served in the army together. Megan was presumed dead in a helicopter accident, and Hunt never forgave his former best friend for her death. Riggs was cheating on Megan, and it was thought that she ran away on a helicopter mission to get away from him. Later we discovered that Megan had been cheating on Riggs as well. And in Thursday’s episode, viewers find out that Megan was actually found alive.

Riggs had been involved with main character Meredith Grey, but with his fiancée being found, an interesting love triangle began. But smartly, Grey stepped immediately out of the way, and Riggs went off to Los Angeles to be with Megan.

This season of Grey’s has certainly been “lighter, funnier, and sexier,” and Riggs’ exit comes as the show is going through some major changes. Jerrika Hinton, Tessa Ferrer, and Marika Domińczyk all left after the end of last season, and Stefania Spampinato joined the cast as Andrew DeLuca’s sister. In addition, Kim Raver reprised her role of Teddy Altman.

Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC.

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