A 'Grey's Anatomy' favorite quietly left the show in November, and fans are angry he won't get a proper send-off

• Warning: Minor "Grey's Anatomy" spoilers ahead for season 16.
• On Friday, the "Grey's Anatomy" star Justin Chambers announced he was leaving the show after 15 years.
• Chambers' final episode already aired in November, meaning there is unlikely to be a proper "Grey's Anatomy" send-off episode.
• Many fans are upset that he won't get a proper farewell, and others are worried the showrunner Shonda Rhimes will kill him off of the show.
• Now, only three lead actors from season one of the series remain on "Grey's."
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

On Friday, Justin Chambers, one of the long-term leads on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," officially announced his departure from the medical drama.

Chambers played the fan favorite Alex Karev for 15 years, and his exit occurred during the middle of season 16.

In a statement, the actor said it's time for him to 'diversify' his career, something he's wanted to do for quite some time 

Chambers announced his departure Friday, issuing a statement about his future career goals while thanking "Grey's" for all it had done for him.

"There's no good time to say goodbye to a show and character that's defined so much of my life for the past 15 years," he said a statement to Deadline. "For some time now, however, I have hoped to diversify my acting roles and career choices. And, as I turn 50 and am blessed with my remarkable, supportive wife and five wonderful children, now is that time."

The actor began playing Karev when he was in his 30s, and during his time on "Grey's"he appeared in fewer than 10 other projects.

Many fans are upset about Chambers' departure, especially since his character will leave behind many loose ends

As TVLine confirmed, Chambers' final episode aired November 14, just before the mid-season finale of season 16. 

During the episode, viewers were told that Karev was absent because he was taking care of his ailing mother, but fans wonder — without a send-off episode, how would loose ends be tied up?

What does this mean for his wife, Jo, portrayed by Camilla Luddington? Or for Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, who seems to have everyone close to her eventually leave her?

And, of course, what will happen to Karev's hospital? 

Before Chambers left the show, Karev was fired from Grey-Sloane because of an insurance-fraud scandal, and he became the chief of staff and chief of surgery at Pacific Northwest General Hospital.

Northwest was primed to become a major plot point for the series, especially as it hired many of Grey-Sloane's top surgeons. It was Karev's big project — but now, the future of the up-and-coming hospital is uncertain.

Fans have had a lot to say about the star's departure, especially since he's been a key player on the series for over a decade

Many of the show's longtime viewers are disappointed that such an important character left without notice and didn't seem to get much of a send-off.

Other viewers are really hoping the showrunner Shonda Rhimes doesn't kill off Chambers' character, something she did when past actors like Patrick Dempsey (who played Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd) and TR Knight (who played George O'Malley) left the series. 

And, of course, numerous fans are wishing Chambers luck in his future endeavors and thanking him for bringing to life one of the most beloved characters on the series.

His departure means the original season-one cast is now down to 3 actors 

Alex Karev was one of the five original surgical interns at Seattle Grace Hospital, and this departure means Meredith Grey is the only remaining original surgical intern from season one.

In addition, Grey is one of just three main characters from season one to still be a series regular — the other two are Miranda Bailey, played by Chandra Wilson, and Richard Webber, played by James Pickens Jr.

"Grey's Anatomy" is in its 16th season and is set to return January 23.

• Read more: 
• 'Grey's Anatomy' has seen a lot of disaster, but there's one crisis you'll never see on the show
• Justin Chambers' final ''Grey's Anatomy' episode already aired, so fans won't get a proper goodbye for Alex
• Ellen Pompeo defended herself after calling 'Grey's Anatomy' 'toxic,' saying 'we all have the power to change' damaging workplace cultures

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