Fans are devastated that this Grey's Anatomy character is departing the show

After playing Dr Jackson Avery for 12 Seasons, Jesse Williams has announced he is leaving ABC's Grey's Anatomy—prompting fans to wonder if the beloved character will be killed off. (It looks like he's in the clear based on the show's most recent episode.)

In a statement about his departure, Williams said, "I will forever be grateful for the boundless opportunities provided me by Shonda, the network, studio, fellow cast mates, our incredible crew, Krista [Vernoff], Ellen [Pompeo] and Debbie [Allen]. 

"As an actor, director and person, I have been obscenely lucky to learn so much from so many and I thank our beautiful fans, who breathe so much energy and appreciation into our shared worlds

"The experience and endurance born of creating nearly 300 hours of leading global television is a gift I’ll carry always. I am immensely proud of our work, our impact and to be moving forward with so many tools, opportunities, allies and dear friends."

The news came as Sarah Drew, who plays Jackson's ex-wife Dr April Kepner, briefly reprised her role in Grey's Anatomy Season 17, much to the delight of viewers. (Warning: spoilers ahead)

During the most recent episode, which has just aired in the US, Jackson visited his estranged father in Montana for an emotional showdown with his father. 

He then visited his ex-wife and their daughter, Harriet, where he dropped the bombshell that he wants to leave his role as Head of Plastic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial. He now plans to take over the Catherine Fox Foundation, which in turn means relocating to Boston. Bye, Seattle!

When did Jackson Avery join Grey's Anatomy?

Long-term fans of the show will recall that Williams joined the cast as Jackson Avery in Season 6, one of the new residents who joined the team when Mercy West was merged with then Seattle Grace Hospital. He was working the day of the shooting, in which two of his Mercy West colleagues, Charles Percy and Reed Adamson, were killed.

Jackson specialized in plastic surgery and went on to become head of the department at Grey Sloan Memorial, following in the footsteps of his former mentor, Dr Mark Sloan.  

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His most notable romantic relationship was with April Kepner, who he married between Seasons 14 and 15. The pair lost their first child, Samuel, who had type 2 osteogenesis imperfecta, shortly after he was born. They then went on to have another child, Harriet, who is now three.

During his character arc, he also had relationships with Lexie Grey and Maggie Pearce, as well as Vic Hughes from Grey's Anatomy's sister show, Station 19.

We're excited to hear what Jesse Williams does next!