Since Grey’s Anatomy is such a comprehensive franchise, fans are not usually surprised when a new character seems to leave just as they arrive. However, Shane Ross tends to be an exception to this rule, as it’s clear that his story was just getting started. Despite dealing with some heavy trauma and relationship drama, there’s no denying that Ross has what it takes to make Grey Sloan a better institution.
As such, many fans are still confused about what motivated Shane Ross to leave and why he didn’t get the recognition he deserved. Not to mention, recurring characters come back to the franchise all the time, so many viewers wonder whether he’ll return in the future. Regardless of his reasons for leaving, there’s no denying that Shane Ross managed to make a keen impression on viewers during just two seasons.
Who Is Shane Ross?
Top 5 Most Memorable Shane Ross Episodes
- Season 9, Episode 16, “This is Why We Fight”
- Season 10, Episode 7, “Thriller”
- Season 9, Episode 4, “I Saw Her Standing There”
- Season 9, Episode 8, “Love Turns You Upside Down”
- Season 9, Episode 11, “The End is the Beginning is the End”
Shane Ross is a deeply ambitious surgical resident who is eager to learn everything he can from his superiors. This is especially true when it comes to Derek Shepard, who Ross seems to follow around at every beck and call. This intern also has a fierce passion for neurosurgery, giving him the prime opportunity to stand front and center in some of the hospital’s most impressive cases. His bedside manner was also very charming, allowing him to join the OR team and finally get stuck into his lifelong dream as a surgeon. Thus, he quickly became popular for his positive attitude and energetic source of charisma.
Yet, just like every other member of staff at Grey Sloan, Ross’ career was teeming with ups and downs. He suffered a wealth of trauma in the early stages of his job and was haunted by his professional mistakes. Not to mention, his relationship with Cristina frequently crossed the line between personal and professional. Yet, even with all these issues combined, Ross still allowed his determination to lead him forward in everything he did.
Heather’s Death Left This Admirable Intern Shaken
Nicknames Given to Shane Ross
- Dopey
- Happy
- Weepy
- Tardy Marty
- Sharky
Although Ross is undoubtedly very motivated to be involved in almost every case he can, there was one instance, in particular, that shook both him and viewers to the core. In Season 10, Episode 2, “I Want You With Me,” Heather tragically passes away after being electrocuted during a harsh storm. Shane feels immensely responsible for her death as he tells Heather to go down to the basement, which is where she died. This episode is deeply upsetting and reminds the viewer just how much stress the interns at Grey Sloan are under. Thus, this is a prime example of how the show reflects the reality of a lot of healthcare workers and how they have no choice but to keep on delegating tasks because they have just too much on their plates.
His feelings worsen throughout Season 10 and finally come to a peak in Season 10, Episode 12, “Get Up, Stand Up.” Here, the viewer is forced to watch Shane hallucinate and quickly lose his grip on reality. While working on another patient, Ross dips in and out of real life and keeps imagining Heather’s body lying in front of him. This terrifying ordeal knocks his confidence, and he begins to doubt whether his childhood dream of becoming a surgeon is really worth the stress. Again, this episode effectively mimics the lives of real-life medical workers. This is because although death is a normal and natural part of this line of work, Shane’s irrational reaction to it shows that a loss of life still impacts these workers on a daily basis.
Shane and Cristina’s Relationship Certainly Added Some Spice to His Arc
- Shane Ross developed an addiction to energy drinks during his time at Grey Sloan and would become aggressive towards the majority of his co-workers.
Long-time fans of Grey’s Anatomy are not usually surprised when a fresh-faced intern falls in love with their superior. However, the steamy relationship between Shane and Christina was a bit of a shock and was definitely a highlight throughout Season 10. Their first fling occurred in Season 10, Episode 10, “Somebody That I Used to Know,” when Shane overhears Cristina telling Alex that she performs better in surgery when she’s having frequent sex. Though it’s an unconventional approach to this fine art, Shane kindly offered his services to Yang. Though their relationship is nothing new when it comes to the personal dramas of Grey’s Anatomy, it highlights that nothing is sacred and that professionalism seems to fly straight out of the window as soon as the surgeons stroll through the doors of Grey Sloan. In addition, the fact that Yang is sleeping with one of her interns further emphasizes that she is only successful when she’s sleeping her way to the top.
The cracks in their fickle relationship become apparent in Season 10, Episode 15, “Throwing It All Away”. In this episode, Cristina starts to feel a sense of guilt about having sex with Shane and worries if he feels pressured into sleeping with her. Although Shane assures her that this is not the case, and he gives full consent, it’s clear that the interns at the hospital are placed in a very awkward and vulnerable position. Not only do these young surgeons have to battle through the stressors of this heart-wrenching job, but they are also required to navigate the nuances of building personal relationships with their peers. The relationship between Shane and Cristina also works to shine a spotlight on the hierarchies found at the hospital. As such, it’s clear that not everybody is treated as equals, so they have no choice but to push and shove their way to the top.
Why Did Shane Ross Leave the Show?
Known Staff at The Klausman Institute for Medical Research
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Dr. Cristina Yang | Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery |
| Dr. Shane Ross | Surgical Resident |
| Dr. Sam Bello | Surgical Intern |
| Dr. Preston Burke | Former Chief Medical Officer |
| Dr. Cormac Hayes | Former Attending Pediatric Surgeon |
Shane Ross departed from Grey’s Anatomy in Season 10, Episode 24, “Fear (Of the Unknown).” After Cristina Yang announces that she’s transferring to the Klausman Institute for Medical Research, Shane begs to join her. Since this is such a prestigious hospital, Ross sees this move as a fantastic way to develop his education and a chance to work with some of the world’s most intuitive equipment. Plus, this center was previously founded by Dr. Preston Burke, making it a great place to work if you want to be surrounded by the best of the best. As such, Yang agrees to take him with her, and the pair go off and start a new professional life together.
In reality, Shane Ross’ character arc was cut short because the actor, Gaius Charles, was only given a short-term contract. As such, the actor left after Season 10 to pursue other projects, such as Agents of SHIELD and The Walking Dead: Dead City. Yet, despite his short run on the show, he managed to be involved in a ton of immense storylines and finally got a happy ending. Though there are no official talks of his return, there’s still a chance that he could use his newfound skills at Grey Sloan at some point in the future.
