Sara Ramirez announces exit from Grey's Anatomy on Instagram

Sara Ramirez will not return for Grey's Anatomy season 13.

Sara Ramirez is leaving Grey's Anatomy after a ten-year run on the show. The 40-year-old actress, who plays Dr. Callie Torres on the long-running ABC series, will not return for season 13.

Ramirez took to her Instagram account to share the news. She wrote: "I'm deeply grateful to have spent the last 10 years with my family at Grey's Anatomy and ABC, but for now, I'm taking some welcome time off. Shonda's been so incredible to work for and we will definitely continue our conversations! I send my love to Ellen [Pompeo], the rest of the cast and crew, and I look forward to always being a part of the Shondaland family!"

Meanwhile, show creator Shonda Rhimes wrote on Twitter: "Dr. Callie Torres came into our lives dancing it out in her underwear almost a decade ago and I could not be happier or more proud of her journey. Sara Ramirez's performance inspired me as well as millions of fans each week. We wish her the best on her well-deserved time off. I will miss Callie tremendously, but am excited for what the future holds for Sara. She will always have a home at Shondaland."

Last season, Patrick Dempsey bid adieu to the show and Sandra Oh left the hit series in season 10.