Sadly, yet another doctor is about to get off the Grey’s Anatomy merry-go-round as Midori Francis is going to the latest series regular to step away from ABC’s long-running medical drama.
Despite having just joined the cast back in season 19 as a member of the new intern class, Francis is turning in her scrubs and leaving the show. The decision was announced ahead of the show’s season 21 premiere, with word breaking that Francis would exit in the season ahead after agreeing to return to help bring closure to Yasuda’s storyline.
Deadline first broke the news that Francis would be leaving the show and while details about her exit were kept vague, they confirmed the decision was “amicable” and that there was no bad blood. So why did Francis choose to leave the show?
According to reports, Francis stepped away from the show to pursue new career opportunities with Deadline reporting that her decision was due to a desire to “branch out” and explore the next chapter of her career after signing with WME months earlier.
As disappointing as it is to lose Yasuda after just a few seasons, this isn’t uncommon as many actors prefer not to stay put on one show for too long and are always looking ahead to what’s next. It seems that is the case here with Francis looking to shake things up and pursue other opportunities after what has been an incredible stint on Grey’s Anatomy.
She joins a growing list of amazing stars to pass through the doors at Grey Slone, and the good news is that it seems the door will be left open for her to potentially return in the future should the stars align.
The groundwork for Yasuda’s exit started to be put into place in episode 7, when Yasuda and her sister were in a car accident which resulted in the death of her sister, Chloe. While Yasuda pulled through, it was hinted right out of the gate that the death of her sister would understandably hit her hard.
Her exit comes on the heels of the departure of Jake Borelli as Dr. Levi Schmitt, who exited in the seventh episode of season 21 after seven seasons on the show. His exit came with the surprise departure of Michael Thomas Grant, who joined the cast this season as Levi’s new love interest, James Morgan, who left town with Levi in the episode.
Grey's Anatomy airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.