‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Giacomo Gianniotti Says Last Andrew DeLuca and Meredith Grey Scene With Ellen Pompeo Was ‘Sad’

There’s no denying Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 delivered the saddest goodbye between Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) and Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo). But Gianniotti’s comments about his last scene with Pompeo just might have it beat. Here’s what the Grey’s Anatomy cast member said about filming Meredith and DeLuca’s final moment together.

Giacomo Gianniotti left when Andrew DeLuca died in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17

When Gianniotti first appeared as DeLuca in Grey’s Anatomy Season 11, many fans didn’t realize how impactful the character would be on Meredith. Eventually, the couple got together and fell in love. Then after their split, they continued showing up for one another. 

Of course, Meredith and DeLuca’s relationship status was up in the air in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17. So many viewers were hopeful they would be endgame. But then DeLuca died in episode 7, titled “Helplessly Hoping.” The character was stabbed, and he lost too much blood to survive.

Meanwhile, Gianniotti revealed it was a “good time” to leave Grey’s Anatomy. 

“I’ve been on the show for six years, seven seasons. It’s definitely been a long time, and I’m a young guy,” the actor told Deadline. “I think this was a good time to depart, and I’m happy that Krista [Vernoff] and Debbie [Allen], and all the writers did such a great job with telling the story.”

The last ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17 scene between Andrew DeLuca and Meredith Grey

Before DeLuca died at Grey Sloan Memorial in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17, the character showed up on Meredith’s dream beach. The former lovers spent the day together. Then as they watched the sunset, DeLuca’s deceased mother appeared and started calling his name.

DeLuca expressed his joy. Meanwhile, Meredith smiled back with understanding. “I’ll miss you,” she said. “If I go back and you don’t, I’ll miss you.”

“It’ll be OK, Meredith. It will. It’ll be OK,” DeLuca replied. “I have to go.”

Then DeLuca ran toward his mother as he died in the operating room.

Giacomo Gianniotti opens up about his last scene with Ellen Pompeo as Andrew DeLuca and Meredith Grey

Following DeLuca’s death in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17, Gianniotti opened up about his last scene with Pompeo in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada. Ultimately, Gianniotti was happy to spend the day with his good friend and mentor. But even so, it was bittersweet to say goodbye to Meredith and DeLuca on screen. Gianniotti said:

When the writers decided to make us love interests, we started getting closer and spending more time together. So it was sad, you know, the beach was my last scene with Ellen. It was, in a way, nice because we got to spend this day together on this beach, just kind of closing the circle. … But we’re not going to be sharing the screen anytime soon, and that’s sad. That’s something that we’re both sad about and we’re reminiscing about. 

That said, Gianniotti noted that his real-life friendship with Pompeo still lives — even beyond Grey’s Anatomy. 

“Of course, we’re not going anywhere,” he said. “We’re still friends. We can still see each other.”