Actress Sara Ramirez has left Grey's Anatomy after a decade playing Dr Callie Torres.
Ramirez said she was leaving the medical drama to take "some welcome time off". She paid tribute to the cast and crew and said the show's creator and boss, Shonda Rhimes, was "incredible" to work for.
That's a wrap for Doctor #CallieTorres #Season13 #GreysAnatomy #ThankYou all for an enriching & unforgettable #Rollercoaster ride! ❤️💃🏽😷🌈🎢💜
— Sara Ramirez (@SaraRamirez) April 27, 2016
Rhimes said that Ramirez' work had inspired her and millions of fans each week. "I will miss Callie tremendously," she said, "but am excited for what the future holds for Sara. She will always have a home at [production company] Shondaland."
Sara Ramirez with co-star Kevin McKidd
Warning: spoiler alert!
Ramirez' final episode - the season 12 finale - aired on US television on Thursday night. Fans saw Callie leaving for New York to join Dr Penelope Blake (Samantha Sloyan) having resolved her custody battle with ex-wife Dr Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw). Arizona offered Callie shared custody and said their daughter Sofia deserved "two happy moms".
Patrick Dempsey - Left the show in 2015
Ramirez was out of contract and her departure is the third high profile exit from Grey's Anatomy in recent years. Sandra Oh (Cristina Yang) left at the end of season 10, with Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd) leaving at the end of season 11.
The contracts of a number of the show's other stars, including Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey), Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey) and Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), are now up for renewal. US entertainment industry website Deadline.com says that while negotiations have not concluded, things look "promising".
