In which episode does Jackson leave Grey's Anatomy?

Jackson Avery leaves Grey's Anatomy in Season 17, Episode 15.

Grey’s Anatomy is a superhit American medical drama made by Shonda Rhimes. It was released in 2005 on the ABC network and currently has 21 seasons. The 21st season aired recently on September 26, 2024. The show is set in the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, previously known as the Seattle Grace Hospital. The storyline revolves around the personal and professional lives of interns, residents, and attending doctors in the hospital. The original star cast of the show included Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, T. R. Knight, James Pickens Jr., and Isaiah Washington.

Jackson Avery, played by Jesse Williams, was one of the main characters of Grey’s Anatomy. He was portrayed as an honest, protective, and ambitious doctor. The show highlights his journey from being a surgical resident to a department chief at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Fans were saddened when they got to know that Jesse Williams was leaving Grey’s Anatomy. Here’s a look at the details of Jackson’s farewell and the reason behind his exit.

When does Jackson leave Grey's Anatomy?

Jackson Avery made his exit from the show in Season 17, episode 15, titled “Tradition”. It was a turning point in Jackson’s life. After working for a decade at the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, he decided to leave the hospital and take over the Catherine Fox Foundation from his mother and move to Boston. He took this decision because he was not satisfied and wanted to address the racial inequality in healthcare.

He had a final emotional conversation with his colleagues Meredith Grey, Richard Webber, and other important people in his life. He asks his ex-wife, April Kepner, to move to Boston with Harriet, as he doesn't want to be away from his daughter. She was not supportive of his plan but agreed in the end to move to Boston. Jackson wanted to make a change in the world and to follow his passion he had to leave the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. In the end, his journey from beginning to end was shown, representing his character development and importance in the show.

Read More: When does Callie leave Grey's Anatomy

Why did Jesse Williams leave Grey’s Anatomy?

After 12 seasons, Jesse Williams made his exit from the show in Season 17 in 2021. In an interview with The New York Times, he shared he is grateful for the love he received from the fans of Grey’s Anatomy but he wants to get out of his comfort zone and explore new things. He was ready to move on and try different projects. He designed his exit and felt that it was organic for Jackson’s character. It was an emotional journey for him.

After exiting from Grey’s Anatomy, Williams made his debut on Broadway in the revival of Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out. He played the lead role of Darren Lemming in the play and it ran from April 2022 to February 2023. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in the play. In 2023, he played a recurring role in Season 3 of Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building. In the same year, he also appeared in the Netflix film Your Place or Mine.