‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Camilla Luddington Hints What’s Next for Jo After Alex ‘Derailed’ Her Life
Grey’s Anatomy fans were heartbroken for Jo Wilson (Camilla Luddington) when Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) suddenly left her in season 16. Now, many viewers hope Jo will find happiness one day. Then recently, Luddington shared what’s next for Jo on Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 — here’s what the actor said.
Why did Alex Karev leave Jo Wilson on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
Alex disappeared midway through Grey’s Anatomy Season 16. The beloved character ghosted everyone at Grey Sloan, including his wife. Naturally, Jo’s mind went through every horrific possibility. But she finally found out what happened to her husband in episode 16, titled “Leave a Light On.”
The last time Grey’s Anatomy fans saw Alex was Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) medical license trial. In the episode, Alex gathered a large group of people to speak on Meredith’s behalf. Then in “Leave a Light On,” Alex revealed he reconnected with his ex-wife, Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) for Meredith’s trial.
Alex explained that Izzie used their frozen embryos and gave birth to their twins. He also realized he was still in love with his ex. So Alex chose to leave Jo for a life with Izzie and their children in Kansas.
Camilla Luddington opens up about Jo and Alex’s breakup in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
On March 15, Luddington stopped by the Chicks in the Office podcast, and the actor opened up Jo and Alex’s split in Grey’s Anatomy Season 16.
“In your mind, when you play a character, you have all these ideas about what their future could be,” Luddington said. “You also want to pitch things like, ‘Oh, they’re going to have kids.’ And [the breakup] derailed it.”
She continued, “What’s interesting is that it happens to people in real life. They have this image of this relationship. … Then a breakup or something tragic happens. They almost have to completely start over. I think that’s a really interesting storyline to play for her.”
Camilla Luddington teases what’s next for Jo in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17
Still speaking on the Chicks in the Office podcast, Luddington shared where Jo is headed next.
“She’s redefining herself outside of that relationship,” the actor said. “She’s having to get her own closure on it, which happens all the time.”
Meanwhile, Luddington suggested that Jo doesn’t necessarily need another conversation with Alex to find closure, as many people have done the same in the real world. She said:
I was asked, “Do you think it’d be good for Jo to be able to have that conversation with Alex of how she feels?” But it’s interesting that she isn’t because in real life you don’t always get to have that conversation with somebody and express how you feel. I like that we’re playing that storyline of she’s having to give herself closure and move on.
Now, Grey’s Anatomy fans must wait and see what life has to offer Jo in season 17. As things stand, the character is in a friends-with-benefits relationship with Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams). It’s also likely Jo will change specialties and go into obstetrics and gynecology. But whatever happens next, it seems Luddington is excited to dive into all the possibilities.
“I’m excited to see her as a single girl,” Luddington said on Chicks in the Office. “I know she’s in a sex pod right now with Jackson. But what does single Jo look like? What does her future mean for her now?”
Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 airs Thursday nights on ABC.
