Kevin McKidd and Kim Raver, who play Owen Hunt and Teddy Altman on Grey's Anatomy, have confirmed their exits from the show after season 22, which aired its finale on May 7. The two stars, who have been part of the show for many years, with McKidd joining in 2008 and Raver in 2009, will not be returning for the next season.

The decision to write out their characters was a creative one, according to series creator Shonda Rhimes, who said it was both bittersweet and joyful to give the couple a happy ending.

McKidd and Raver have both spoken about their time on the show, with McKidd saying that playing Dr. Owen Hunt and directing on the show have shaped him enormously, and Raver calling the role of Dr. Teddy Altman a true gift.

The exits of McKidd and Raver will be felt by fans of the show, who have followed the on-again, off-again relationship between Owen and Teddy over the years.

The show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, has praised both actors for the extraordinary talent, nuance, and heart they brought to the series over the years. The immediate next steps for the show will involve the introduction of new characters and storylines, as the series continues without two of its main characters.