The Real Reason Brooke Smith Left Grey's Anatomy

While filming the fifth season of Grey's, Smith was excited for her character's arc. She told Entertainment Weekly, "I was very excited when they told me that Erica and Callie were going to have this relationship. And I really hoped we were going to show what happens when two women fall in love and that they were going to treat it like any heterosexual couple on TV." Just a few episodes after she filmed a scene where Erica realizes she's gay, Smith was shocked to learn her character was being written off the show.

Smith was particularly unhappy with how suddenly Dr. Hahn exited the show after two seasons as a regular cast member. "I'm not written out. My final scene is just me heading to my car," she said. Smith didn't believe showrunner Shonda Rhimes was behind the decision, saying, "It seemed like some decision came down from above. It didn't feel like it was her."