Richard Flood announced his departure from ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ last week after playing Dr. Cormac Hayes for 3 years. The Irish actor returned in an interview to the reasons for his departure.
Warning, this article contains spoilers on season 18 of Grey’s Anatomy, still unpublished in France on TF1. If you don’t want to know anything, don’t read on!
The news fell last week: Richard Flood, who has been playing Dr. Cormak Hayes since season 16, announced his departure from Grey’s Anatomy. It was in episode 10 of season 18, broadcast last night in the United States, that the Irish-born actor said goodbye to his colleagues at Gray Sloan. And as tradition dictates, Richard Flood had the right to a last scene with the star of the series, Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey).
The episode picks up directly after the events of the past week. After giving his resignation letter to Bailey, telling him that he wants to return to Ireland with his children, Hayes meets Meredith. He confides in her that he had planned to leave the hospital without saying goodbye.
“‘Cause if I say goodbye to you Grey, I might change my mind“, he said to him. “In all these years since Abigail’s death, you’re the first person to understand. You made me feel less alone. You helped me understand that there could be life after Abigail. I thank you.”
Richard Flood joined Grey’s Anatomy as a recurring character during season 16, with his character being introduced as a potential love interest for Meredith. He was promoted to regular at the start of Season 17, but sadly his storyline with Ellen Pompeo was shelved in order to focus on the Coronavirus outbreak.
An early departure
The actor would have considered leaving Grey’s Anatomy at the end of season 17, but he decided to stay for a few more episodes.
“Jfelt it was the right time”explained Richard Flood to our colleagues from Deadline. “When I first started on the show, I always knew three years was the perfect amount of time. I always want to see what’s out there, to explore new directions and to do different types of series or films.”
“I think my character’s story arc was coming to a natural end, which was great. I was very happy that everyone felt the same, and went all the way.”
As for why Hayes quit rather than expose Owen, Richard Flood understands his character, who he says is a person “very moral and upright”.
“He found himself in a moral dilemma, and after hearing the way the other characters, especially Bailey, talk about Owen Hunt, he understands that whether he agrees with him or not, what Hunt leaves with a good feeling. But Hayes couldn’t stay in a situation where he felt he was being dishonest. Her only option, for him anyway, was to leave..”
Krista Vernoff, executive producer and showrunner of Grey’s Anatomy also returned to the departure of the actor. “Richard Flood is a terrific actor. We are grateful for his nuanced and poignant work as Cormac Hayes. We will miss him.”
Season 17 of Grey’s Anatomy is currently broadcast every Wednesday evening on TF1. The first episode of season 18 will be offered on Wednesday March 30 from 9:55 p.m. on the front page.