Kim Raver, here with Alexis Floyd, in her final episode of 'Grey's Anatomy.'

Disney/Anne Marie Fox

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The decision to leave the show was not on the actors. Showrunner Meg Marinis previously explained to THR that the choice was a financial one amid a shifting industry.

“I’ll just say that playing Teddy and letting go of Teddy is a deeply felt and an incredibly emotional journey for me, because the gift of being on the show for so long and working with Shondaland, as an actor, is lightning in a bottle,” Raver now says. “I went to work every day aware of what an opportunity it is. It means so much to me.”

Below, Raver brings THR inside the decision while sharing more of her reaction and current thoughts, and her hopes for Teddy’s legacy.

***

First, how are you doing?

I’m good. I’m really, really good. Thank you so much for all your amazing support over the years. I’m always checking out what you all are thinking and feeling about the show.

I spoke with showrunner Meg Marinis previously and I understand this decision was brought to you and Kevin, and that it was a financial one. She said you were both pros about it. But I imagine after all these years, that’s a hard conversation. How difficult was that conversation about leaving the show, and what questions did you have when they first told you?

Look, I’m so grateful to have been a part of this show as long as I have been. As an actor, to be able to tell the story of Teddy Altman for this many years and go through all of these incredible [stories]… One of my favorite things that Shonda Rimes does is that she allows these characters to be messy and complicated, and make big-swing mistakes and I know that’s a gift. I would go to work and just be grateful every day. I’d go onto that lot, and I was so excited to figure out, “Okay, what’s a different way that we’re going to tell this today, and how we’re going to do do that?”

There’s such a collaboration. Working with Meg was so amazing. We would have sit downs where I would ask the big questions: “Where is that going? What’s the overall arc?” The writers room and Shondaland have always been incredible advocates for telling those stories. It’s been a real gift to be able to tell Teddy’s story for so long.

If it were up to you, would you have stayed on for more seasons?

I love this character. I love working with Shondaland. I hope to continue being collaborative with Shondaland in the future. I’ve loved every day being there.

You’ve been on this show long enough to see many other co-stars leave, and some come back. The industry is now shifting. Budgets are smaller. There are shorter episode orders and smaller ensembles. When you look back, what are you nostalgic for and when you look forward, what does it make you think about as a working actor with the future of scripted network TV?

I think they’re finding ways to expand and keep telling incredible stories across the board. Showrunners are finding ways to tell stories. I feel so fortunate that I worked with incredible people like Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, and outside of that, the John Wells and Howard Gordons. Those people are finding ways to keep telling stories, and I really feel grateful I’ve been part of those ensembles and gotten to tell incredible stories through incredible characters.

Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver in their final scene in the season 22 finale.

Disney/Anne Marie Fox

I understand you had this initial conversation in January. So you knew for a handful of episodes what was coming.

Grey's Anatomy: Kim Raver Has Deep Feelings About Teddy Leaving the Show