What will Grey’s Anatomy do without McSteamy? Next season we’ll have to find out. According to TVLine, Eric Dane has decided to exit the hit Thursday night, ABC drama after six seasons.

Eric Dane:

“I am extremely grateful to everyone at Grey’s, ABC and Shondaland for the experience and memories I have had over the course of this run,” Dane tells TVLine exclusively. “It has been wonderful to work alongside and learn from a creative force such as Shonda Rhimes.”

Shonda Rhimes:

In a statement to TVLine, Rhimes called McSteamy “one of the most beloved characters on Grey’s Anatomy.” She added that Dane “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.

Grey’s Anatomy returns September 27.

READ MORE

Is T.R. Knight looking to jump ship? Are ABC nixing same-sex storylines? Is Izzie romancing dead Denny just stupid? With debate swirling around Grey’s Anatomy at the moment, I wanted to take a lighter look at couplings that are on the horizon. Who’s the hottest of the potential love matches?

Personally speaking, I love Cristina (Sandra Oh can do no wrong) and her off-the-chart chemistry with McRambo AKA Owen (Kevin McKidd). Seriously, as Meredith might say, who didn’t see a touch of the old Grey’s magic in their steamy scene? I want vents like that at my work. More screengrabs and potential new pairings after the jump. READ MORE