Sara Ramirez Reflects On Leaving Grey’s Anatomy And Her Exciting New Ventures

Sain April 16, 2025

Hey there, friends! Let's dive into the fascinating world of Sara Ramirez, an actress who’s made a lasting impact on TV screens and beyond. When she left Grey’s Anatomy at the end of Season 12, fans were left wondering how the show would survive without Dr. Callie Torres. But guess what? The show kept thriving, and so did Sara. Now 45, she's back with a vengeance on Madam Secretary, but before that, she took some much-deserved time off. In November, she opened up to Entertainment Weekly, saying leaving Grey’s Anatomy was “absolutely” the right move for her.

A Year-and-a-Half of Self-Discovery

During her hiatus, Sara didn't just sit around. Oh no, she was busy reinventing herself. First, she got a bold new haircut, buzzing the sides of her head and donating the trimmings to Locks of Love—a move that showed her commitment to giving back. But it wasn’t just about haircuts; she also dedicated her time to advocating for the LGBTQ community. In October 2016, Sara publicly embraced her identity as a “queer, bisexual, Mexican-Irish American” at the True Colors 40 to None Summit. And let’s not forget, she probably enjoyed some quality time with her husband of five years, Ryan DeBolt.

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Stepping Back and Finding Clarity

When Sara spoke to Entertainment Weekly, she shared how taking a step back from the entertainment industry allowed her to gain clarity about what truly matters to her. “It has been a really full year and a half,” she said. “Taking a step back from the industry has allowed me to take space and get even more clear about things that are important to me.”

A New Chapter in Showbiz

Now, this Tony-winning actress is ready to dive back into the world of entertainment—but on her own terms. She's particularly mindful of how bisexual individuals are portrayed in media. At the New York City LGBT Center’s 20th Annual Women’s Event, she expressed her thoughts: “Stepping back into the entertainment industry is going to be a little different. I think the areas where I don’t feel seen and recognized are in the language used by the media. Especially media that is supposed to be about the LGBTQ community, speaking to the LGBTQ community, and for the LGBTQ community.”

She elaborated further, saying, “I think that sometimes the areas I don’t feel seen are in the way some characters are written, the way bi plus characters are written about, or the way that bi plus characters are written to be what their behaviors are, what their attitudes are.”

Could a Return to Grey’s Anatomy Be in the Cards?

Grey’s Anatomy has always been a pioneer in representing diverse sexual and gender identities, and Dr. Callie Torres was no exception. So, would Sara ever consider reprising her iconic role? “When [Grey’s creator] Shonda and I last spoke, we agreed to keep the conversations going,” she revealed to Entertainment Weekly. “And she knows I’m open to keeping those conversations going.” (Spoiler alert: our hopes are officially alive and well!)