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On Jan. 14, Grey’s Anatomy fans went wild when Jessica Capshaw (Arizona Robbins) reunited with a few members of the cast. The actor stopped by the group’s Stars In The House panel after an invite from Camilla Luddington (Jo Wilson). So, naturally, viewers are hoping Capshaw will return as Arizona in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17. 

Jessica Capshaw left ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ after Arizona Robbins moved to New York

Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ | Kelsey McNeal/Walt Disney Television via Getty Images

Two seasons before Capshaw left Grey’s Anatomy, Arizona and Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) fought for custody of Sophia. Callie wanted to move to New York City with Penny Blake (Samantha Sloyan). Then Arizona won sole custody of their daughter. But even so, Arizona and Callie realized they both deserved to be happy. So they decided Sophia would split time between Seattle and New York City. 

In Grey’s Anatomy Season 14, Arizona realized Sophia was having a difficult time adjusting to bicoastal living. Sophia missed her friends, school, and mom back in New York. Then in a turn of events, Arizona got the opportunity to start a new women’s health center alongside Nicole Herman (Geena Davis). So, Arizona moved to New York.

Now, it’s also possible Arizona and Callie got back together on Grey’s Anatomy. In Capshaw’s final episode, Arizona admitted she couldn’t stop smiling while texting Callie about the move. But the couple’s relationship status has yet to be confirmed by the show.

Meanwhile, current Grey’s Anatomy showrunner, Krista Vernoff, shared why the show chose to write Arizona out of the story, alongside April Kepner (Sarah Drew). “As writers, our job is to follow the stories where they want to go and sometimes that means saying goodbye to characters we love,” Vernoff said at the time, per Variety. 

Capshaw also opened up about her exit on social media. 

“For the past ten years I have had the rare privilege of not only playing Arizona Robbins but also being madly in love with playing her,” Capshaw wrote on Twitter. “Arizona Robbins is kind, intelligent, funny, insightful, bold, playful, fierce and really good at her job. She was one of the first members of the LGBTQ community to be represented in a series regular role on network television. Her impact on the world is permanent and forever. Forever.”

She continued, “I am grateful that I have gotten to bring her to life and for the life that she has brought to me. I am sad to see her go but I am consoled by the idea that she will continue to live on and on in all of our consciences and our imaginations.”

Jessica Capshaw reunites with the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17 cast 

Now, it’s been over two years since Capshaw appeared as Arizona on Grey’s Anatomy. But in the Jan. 14 episode of Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley’s Stars In The House YouTube series, Capshaw reunited with the current cast. The event focused on raising money for The Actors Fund as the stars of Grey’s Anatomy discussed everything from season 17 to honoring frontline workers amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

In the first half, Grey’s Anatomy fans were treated with appearances by Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey), James Pickens Jr. (Richard Webber), Kelly McCreary (Maggie Pierce), Kim Raver (Teddy Altman), Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt), and Anthony Hill (Winston Ndugu). Then in the second half, Wilson was joined by Luddington, Jake Borelli (Levi Schmitt), Chris Carmack (Atticus “Link” Lincoln), Greg Germann (Tom Koracick), and Richard Flood (Tom Koracick).

Meanwhile, Capshaw dropped in midway through the second half. The Grey’s Anatomy actor revealed that Luddington encouraged her to join the chat while they were texting. Luddington also hinted at Capshaw’s return while teasing Jo’s upcoming arc on Grey’s Anatomy Season 17. 

“It’s already been teased. But she’s thinking about changing to being an OB. So that’s going to be a pretty big storyline for her,” Luddington said. “I’m ready for my pink scrubs. And maybe Capshaw can come back.”

Capshaw replied, “You’re never ready for the pink scrubs!”

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ fans react to the possibility of Arizona Robbins’ return

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Given Capshaw’s surprise appearance on Stars in the House, fans questioned whether Arizona will return in Grey’s Anatomy Season 17.

“Jessica Capshaw are you coming back to Grey’s Anatomy,” a fan wrote in the YouTube chat. 

“If Jessica comes back I’ll be so happy,” another fan wrote.

Then after Luddington teased the possibility of Arizona’s return, some viewers were definitely on board.

“It’s a win/win,” a fan wrote on YouTube. “Jo gets a switch, where she brings babies into the world, but still remains a surgeon. It would also lead to Camilla and Jessica working closely together”

“OMGGG,” another fan wrote. “She needs to come back”

Whatever happens when Grey’s Anatomy returns with new episodes, it’s clear Capshaw is still loved by the fandom. So stay tuned. Season 17 is expected to come back on March 4, 2021. 

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