‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Greg Germann Is Leaving — But Tom Koracick Will Return

They say bad things come in threes. On May 20, Grey’s Anatomy fans prepared themselves for Jesse Williams’ final episode as Jackson Avery. The departure comes after Giacomo Gianniotti’s exit as Andrew DeLuca. Now, the Grey’s Anatomy team has confirmed Greg Germann, who plays Tom Koracick, is leaving as a series regular after season 17. But it seems the actor might return for future episodes — here’s what we know.

[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from the Grey’s Anatomy Season 15, “Tradition”]

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Greg Germann’s announces his exit as a series regular

Germann first appeared as Tom in Grey’s Anatomy Season 14. The actor initially started out as a guest star. Then he was promoted to a regular cast member in season 16. Now, it seems Germann is ready to let go of his series regular status. 

During the all-new episode of Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 on May 20, Deadline confirmed Germann’s exit. According to the publication, the 15th episode, titled “Tradition,” will serve as Germann’s final episode as a series regular.

“To have worked with all the incredibly talented people involved with Grey’s over the past few years has been such a privilege,” Germann said in a statement. “A big thank you to the fans as it has truly been a shared experience!”

Why is Tom Koracick leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?

In Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 Episode 15, Jackson announced his big move to Boston to run the Catherine Fox Foundation. Then at the end of the episode, Tom met Jackson in the parking lot and revealed his roommates of color died while they were being treated for coronavirus (COVID-19). So now, Tom wants to help Jackson change the system, particularly for minority groups.

“The world is only the way because people who look like me let it be,” Tom told Jackson. “I want to be an ally. I want to spend whatever time I got left making this lousy, stinking place better.”

In the end, Jackson told Tom to meet him in Boston on Monday morning. So now, the two surgeons are leaving Seattle together.

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ showrunner Krista Vernoff confirms Greg Germann will return as Tom Koracick

While Tom is leaving Grey Sloan Memorial, Grey’s Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff suggested that Germann will return in a future episode. 

“Greg Germann is a comic genius and we are so lucky that he brought his talents to our show these last few years,” Vernoff said, per Deadline. “We will miss Greg terribly in the day to day.”

She continued, “But we plan to see Tom Koracick again!”

For now, Grey’s Anatomy fans will have to wait and see what the world has in store for Tom. But whatever happens next will surely be an interesting ride. Stay tuned.

Grey’s Anatomy Season 17 airs Thursday nights on ABC.