‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Midseason Premiere: Owen’s Fate Is Revealed as Another Doctor Quits

Grey’s Anatomy is finally back from its winter hiatus, and the midseason premiere resolved a major cliffhanger (literally) involving Dr. Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd). However, the ABC medical drama also bid goodbye to another Grey Sloan doctor: Cormac Hayes (Richard Flood).

Throughout the premiere, doctors rushed to address the major car crash that left Owen seriously injured after his car literally slid off a cliff. But Owen might as well have nine lives at this point, because the longtime character miraculously makes it out alive.

However, the entire incident ends up leading Cormac to resign from Grey Sloan for good. The episode starts by rewinding to a moment shortly before the crash, when Owen admits that he administered medication to a patient to help him die.

“You stole drugs and planned to pass them out like Candy?” Cormac responded. “You saved my life and I have to spend what’s left of it looking after my boys. I can’t go to prison.”

Later, Cormac officially handed Dr. Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) his resignation, telling her that it was time for him to move on from the show’s chaotic hospital.

“I have to give you my notice,” he said. “I’m sorry. My kids are not thriving here. They’re not happy. We have to go.”

Flood joined Grey’s Anatomy in Season 16 in a recurring, and was later promoted to series regular in Season 17. His character was briefly part of a potential love triangle with protagonist Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and her new love interest, Nick (Scott Speedman). Never a dull day at Grey Sloan Memorial!

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

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