The shocking exit of Alex Karev from Grey’s Anatomy in season 16 left fans reeling, and no one seemed more surprised than Katherine Heigl, the actress who played Izzie Stevens, Alex’s former love interest. When original cast member Justin Chambers abruptly departed from the series midway through season 16, the burning question became: how would Grey’s Anatomy write off such a pivotal character?
The answer, revealed in the March 5, 2020 episode, was a twist that few saw coming. Alex Karev didn’t just leave Seattle; he left to reunite with Izzie Stevens. In a move that sparked passionate fan reactions, Alex revealed through heartfelt letters to his wife Jo and his friends like Meredith, that he had reconnected with Izzie. He discovered that Izzie had used their embryos from years ago and now they had twins living on a horse farm in Kansas. This revelation meant Alex was leaving his current life to be with Izzie and their children.
Katherine Heigl
Heigl, while promoting her new Netflix drama Firefly Lane, shared her reaction to this unexpected plot twist in an interview with ET’s Katie Krause. Interestingly, Heigl admitted she hadn’t actually watched the episode where Alex’s ending was revealed. “I didn’t see it,” she confessed.
After being brought up to speed on the details of Alex and Izzie’s reunion, Heigl’s immediate response was one of disbelief and a touch of amusement. “Wasn’t he with someone?” she asked, referring to Alex’s wife, Jo Wilson. Her follow-up comment was even more telling: “Listen, isn’t that an a**hole move?” Heigl’s candid reaction suggests she found the storyline problematic, particularly regarding Alex’s abandonment of Jo for Izzie.
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Shocker: Alex Karev Reunites With Izzie Stevens
While Heigl seemed taken aback by Alex’s reunion with Izzie, she didn’t express much interest in revisiting Grey’s Anatomy herself. Even with the return of other beloved characters like Patrick Dempsey and T.R. Knight in season 17, Heigl appears to be focused on her current projects. “I’m super focused on this show and my passion for it,” Heigl stated, referring to Firefly Lane. “I would never say never but it’s not likely,” she added regarding a potential Grey’s Anatomy return.
Firefly Lane stars Heigl alongside Sarah Chalke, portraying the decades-long friendship between Tully and Kate. The series, based on Kristin Hannah’s novel, explores their bond from age 14 through 30 years of life’s ups and downs. Heigl highlighted her enjoyment of revisiting the 1980s for Firefly Lane, noting the fun of creating Tully’s ’80s style. Chalke echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the energy and fun of ’80s fashion and music.
Katherine Heigl on a Potential ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Return and Bringing ‘Firefly Lane’ to Life
In conclusion, Katherine Heigl’s reaction to Alex and Izzie getting back together in season 16 of Grey’s Anatomy was one of surprised disapproval, finding Alex’s actions towards Jo questionable. While the storyline offered a nostalgic callback for longtime fans of Alex and Izzie, Heigl’s focus remains firmly on her current project, Firefly Lane, rather than a return to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The Alex and Izzie reunion, designed to give Alex Karev a conclusive and perhaps romantic ending, certainly achieved shock value, even eliciting a strong reaction from Izzie Stevens herself, Katherine Heigl.
