Greys Anatomy star Eric Dane is hanging up his scrubs.

After six years aboard the hit ABC medical drama, CNN's confirmed that the actor will not be back for the shows ninth season will be leaving the show.

Series creator Shonda Rhimes told TVLine in a statement, [We] did not come to this decision lightly, but after much consideration and conversations, he and I have decided that this is the right time for his storyline to end."

Dane, who played Dr. Mark Sloan, thanked Rhimes and the cast of "Grey's" for the memories in a statement of his own. "I am extremely grateful to everyone at 'Grey's,' ABC and Shondaland for the experience," Dane told TVLine. "It has been wonderful to work alongside and learn from a creative force such as Shonda Rhimes."

Danes leaving is just the latest high-profile departure from "Grey's": The actor's fellow cast members Kim Raver and Chyler Leigh also exited the series after its eighth season finale in May.

"Grey's Anatomy" returns on September 27.

Read the original here:
Eric Dane departs 'Grey's Anatomy'