Inside Brooke Smith's Unexpected Grey's Anatomy Exit

"Grey's Anatomy" has been around long enough that they've done some pretty remarkable things in the name of radical change in representation. From bisexual icon Dr. Callie Torres to numerous storylines that touched on real, hard life issues, "Grey's" is no stranger to nuanced storytelling.

Suffice it to say that the show's first long-term gay couple, Dr. Torres and Dr. Erica Hahn, were warmly embraced by fans. (Spoilers for "Grey's Anatomy" ahead.) Dr. Hahn even comes to terms with her sexuality on the show, and her character was being developed to have a significant arc alongside so many memorable characters. So when she was suddenly not in the picture anymore, it was very bizarre, to say the least. 

Obviously, the decision to cut Dr. Hahn (aka actor Brooke Smith) out of the hospital shocked fans and Smith herself. She told People that leaving was "kind of a bummer," but acknowledged the fans who had her back. "I really would like to let them know that it really helped me actually. I really did feel their support," she shared. Still, Smith's exit remains a bit of a mystery. Why would the popular show do away with such a powerful female character out of nowhere and not even give her a dramatic death as per the "Grey's" norm?

When showrunners told Brooke Smith that her character Dr. Erica Hahn and Dr. Callie Torres were going to have a relationship on "Grey's Anatomy," she was so excited to watch what happened next, Smith told Entertainment Weekly. Then when she was told that they couldn't "write for" her character anymore, she couldn't believe it.

"I found out in mid-September [of 2008] soon after shooting the monologue that aired last week where Erica has the revelation that she's gay. They even came down and told me it was a great scene — one of the best they ever shot on the show," Smith told EW at the time. "So I was really, really shocked. I was floored when they told me [I was being let go]. It was the last thing I expected." She got very little time to adjust as well, because the next episode after being told she was out of the show would be her last.

She'll never know what really caused the sudden departure, but Smith suspected ABC was uncomfortable with Erica and Callie's relationship, hence the sudden departure. Smith's exit from the show isn't even dramatic like so many other characters. She doesn't die or have a lengthy monologue about her future. She just gets in her car and that's that.

After Brooke Smith's interview with Entertainment Weekly was published, Shonda Rhimes came forward to push back against the anti-gay rumors. "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian," she said (via TV Guide). "Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show – Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run."

Even so, Smith told EW in the original interview that she felt Rhimes' hands were tied and it didn't feel like a decision she had made personally. Still, it had never happened to Smith before, so this situation was a first for her. Given that Dr. Hahn never got a conclusive exit, maybe there is hope that she'll return to Grey-Sloan Memorial in future episodes like many of her other departed (literally and not) fellow doctors? After all, Dr. Torres isn't on the show anymore either, so maybe there's hope for Dr. Hahn in Seattle?