Is Richard Flood leaving Grey’s Anatomy?

While Owen Hunt survived the crash, it turns out that we are losing a series regular from Grey’s Anatomy. Richard Flood is making his exit.

During the two-hour Station 19/Grey’s Anatomy crossover, we watched as everyone worked together to save Owen Hunt. However, we ended the episode finding out that one of the doctors wouldn’t be sticking around.

After learning what Owen is doing for terminally ill soldiers, Hayes realized that he couldn’t be a part of it. This was more than just working within Washington’s Right to Die Act. He was helping soldiers from out of state, and Hayes wouldn’t risk going to jail and losing his license by knowing about it.

So, Hayes made a decision. He didn’t turn Owen in, but he did hand his resignation to Bailey, making it clear that he was carrying out his final shift.

Is Richard Flood leaving Grey’s Anatomy?

It was certainly a shock to see the storyline play out on the Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 winter premiere. There had been no hints up to this point that we’d lose Hayes. In fact, it looked like the show was setting up a love triangle or even a log square.

According to Deadline, none of that is going to happen. Flood is leaving the series after three seasons. He originally joined in Season 16 as a guest star and was upped to series regular in Season 17. There was the plan to make him Meredith’s love interest, but the storyline was ditched due to the pandemic.

The next episode will be Flood’s last. This will give him chance to say goodbye to various characters rather than just leaving in the wind like so many others have done.

Grey’s Anatomy airs on Thursdays at 9/8c on ABC. Catch up on Hulu.