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Grey's Anatomy rolls on, but another doctor has left Grey Sloan. Season 18, Episode 10 saw Dr. Cormac Hayes (played by Richard Flood) decide to leave the hospital after grappling with the ethics of what Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) had been doing for veterans.
The character had been introduced as a potential love interest for Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) in Season 16, only for that story to fall by the wayside due to COVID-19.
Viewers, however, did get one last scene between Hayes and Grey, in which the former told her: "I say goodbye to you Grey, I might not actually leave."
But leave he did—though not before Flood gave an interview in which he revealed exactly why he has decided to depart the ABC show now.
How Did Dr. Cormac Hayes Leave Grey's Anatomy?
His resignation was on the cards since the last episode (streaming now on Hulu) in which Hunt revealed that he had been secretly euthanizing veterans. Though Hunt is qualified to deliver physician-assisted deaths, he was planning to help three veterans who did not qualify for the program to die.
As legally this is a felony, Hayes knew that if it was revealed he knew about the scheme, he would be considered an accomplice, and be stripped of his medical licence. As such, he had to choose between ratting out his friend, and leaving the hospital.
He chose the latter.
He stayed so loyal to his friends, in fact, that he did not even tell Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) what Hunt's secret was when she confronted him.
As for Grey, he had an emotional farewell with her. He told her: "In all the years since Abigail died, you are the first person who got it. You made me feel less alone. You helped me believe that there might even be life after Abigail. Thank you for that."
Why Did Richard Flood Leave Grey's Anatomy?
Per Flood's interview with Deadline, it seems that he and the producers came to a mutual decision that his character's story arc had come to an end.
He told the outlet: "There had been a few conversations during the summer as far as how the season would unfold, and then during the season there were more conversations about what might be good [for the show] and what might be good for me.
"Having three years on the show felt right for me, and I think that the arc of the character with all the developments in the story was probably coming to its natural end, which was great. I was very happy that everybody felt the same."
The Irish actor also took to his Instagram to thank the team behind the show.
He wrote: "Set up before my last shot! Thanks to everybody involved over the last three years but especially to all the fans whose response to Hayes exit over the last two weeks has been overwhelming! Much appreciated."
Grey's Anatomy Season 18 airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
