Is Jessica Capshaw Leaving 'Grey's Anatomy?' Arizona Flies to Africa Alone

With Arizona flying to Africa-without Callie (Sara Ramirez)-fans of the hit ABC TV show are wondering if Jessica Capshaw is really leaving "Grey's Anatomy." In episode 6, viewers were shocked to learn that Arizona had won a grant which would enable her to serve as a pediatric surgeon in Africa for three years, helping "tiny humans" who otherwise might never receive such medical care. But with "Grey's Anatomy" set in Seattle, Washington, how could two leading ladies relocate to another continent and still stay on the show?

Originally, Callie was planning to leave Seattle Grace and travel to Africa with Arizona, her girlfriend; episode 7 of "Grey's Anatomy" Season 7 revealed such would not be the case, with the lovebirds quarreling in the airport terminal and Arizona ultimately leaving for Africa alone. "You are ruining Africa for me," she told Callie in the emotional scene, "I don't want to go to Africa-with you." Callie protested, pleaded and eventually threatened Arizona, saying that if she left without her their relationship was over. "We are standing in the middle of an airport screaming at each other-we're already over," was Arizona's sober reply, and she boarded the plane alone.

"Grey's Anatomy" episode 8 featured Callie's attempt to cope with the loss of Arizona, further confirming that Jessica Capshaw's character had indeed left the "Grey's Anatomy" cast-but for how long? According to Kristin Dos Santos at E! Online, Capshaw's departure is for maternity leave, and she is expected to return. "As for Jessica Capshaw's Arizona, I'm told she's set to return to the set "very soon" from her real-life maternity leave, so you won't have to go too long without her," she wrote, saying that Callie should be back to work at Seattle Grace by episode 10 in the wake of Arizona's departure.

The New York Post reported on November 1^st, 2010, that Capshaw and her husband, Christopher Gavigan, welcomed baby girl Eve Augusta. "Grey's Anatomy" fans saw less of Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) in the early episodes of Season 6, while she was pregnant with her daughter Stella Luna; Meredith remained at Seattle Grace, but tactful pillow placement and cinematography disguised her baby bump.

With a healthy baby girl, it's no wonder that Capshaw wanted some time away from the set in maternity leave-but her eventual return suggests a problem awaiting Arizona in Africa, to be certain. Fortunately for fans of her character on the show, no reports that Arizona's departure will be permanent have surfaced, and the plot twists on "Grey's Anatomy" have already returned Callie into the fold.

"Grey's Anatomy" airs on ABC Thursday nights at 9/8c. For weekly recaps of "Grey's Anatomy," hop over to my blog at Starpulse or subscribe here on AC!

Sources:
Kriston Dos Santos, "Spoiler Chat: Are Callie and Arizona Really Leaving Grey's Anatomy?" E! Online
The New York Post, "Grey's Anatomy' actress Jessica Capshaw has a baby girl: report"