Grey’s Anatomy star Brooke Smith was ‘floored’ after being suddenly ‘fired’ from show

Grey’s Anatomy has seen a bunch of doctors come and go in its 21 seasons, though it seems some of the cast exits were more abrupt than others.

Following Sarah Drew’s shocking comments about her departure from the long-running medical drama, an interview with Brooke Smith, who played Dr Erica Hahn, has resurfaced, where she recalled her shock upon learning her time at the then-Seattle Grace Hospital was up.

"I was surprised and disappointed when they just suddenly told me that they couldn't write for my character anymore," Smith told Entertainment Weekly in 2008.

While she admitted not having a clue why her character was so suddenly axed, she blamed the fact that the network got 'cold feet' when it came to developing a storyline for a same-sex couple.

You may remember Erica as the cardiothoracic surgeon who was harsh on Sandra Oh’s Cristina Yang in season 4 of Grey's Anatomy, but she was also half of the show’s first queer couple with Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) in the fifth chapter.

Smith may have only appeared as Erica Hahn in a handful of Grey's Anatomy's episodes, but her character's impact on the LGBTQ+ community was long-lasting. (ABC)

Speaking about her exit, Smith said: "I don't think I'm ever going to know [why this really happened].

"I was floored when they told me [I was being let go]. It was the last thing I expected. In fact, when they told me I asked, 'When is this happening?' And they said, 'The [next episode] is your last,'" Smith continued, noting that Erica wasn't even written out properly.

"I'm not written out. My final scene is just me heading to my car. I honestly don’t know what happens in the next episode. I heard not much,” she said.

The actress also noted that it felt like it hadn’t been creator Shonda Rhimes’ decision.

"I don't know for sure, but it definitely seemed like [Shonda's] hands were tied. That was just my gut. She did seem upset," Smith said.

"It seemed like some decision came down from above. It didn’t feel like it was her.”

Back then, Smith’s sudden exit caused an uproar in the LGBTQ+ community, who were robbed of a queer storyline before it could be fully developed. Speaking on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, former Grey’s leading man Patrick Dempsey said he didn’t know why Smith was being let go or what really happened with her storyline.

"I think her story line has come to an end. Thursday night is her last show, which is too bad," he said in November 2008.

"She has been great character and I don’t know what happened with that story line. They decided not to continue it for some reason."

Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes simply stated that the chemistry between Erica and Callie wasn't right. (ABC)

Smith’s initial comments prompted Rhimes to issue a statement to clarify that she wasn’t fired 'for playing a lesbian'.

"Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run,” the producer said. "The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie."

Grey’s Anatomy has previously come under fire for some swift exits, including that of Dr April Kepner, played by Sarah Drew.

In a recent episode of the Call It What It Is podcast, hosted by Grey’s current actress Camilla Luddington and former star Jessica Capshaw, Drew called her exit ‘mean’ and ‘unjust’.

"We were unceremoniously let go in a way that felt mean and unjust, and, because of that, the outpouring of love was so enormous it was like you were sitting there watching people [eulogise you]."

Drew, who later reprised the role of April for two guest appearances in both season 17 and 18, continued: "I have no attachment to [the show] at all. I had zero anxiety [going back because] I don’t need anything from anyone on that set anymore."

“They're not responsible for my livelihood anymore,” she added.

“They're not responsible for my success or my joy … I’m like, 'Hey! This is a fun spot to come visit'."