Lexie Grey
Alexandra Caroline Grey, M.D. is a fictional character from ABC's medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actress Chyler Leigh. Created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, the character is first mentioned in season 2 by her younger sister, Molly. She is then introduced in season 3 as the titular protagonist's younger paternal half-sister. She transfers to Seattle Grace Hospital as a new surgical intern after her mother's sudden death, and is eventually named a surgical resident in season 6 episode 2. Leigh was originally contracted to appear for a multi-episode story-arc but ultimately received star-billing from seasons 4 to 8. She has also reprised her role as Lexie on the spin-off show Private Practice.
| Lexie Grey | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy character | |
Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey in a promotional image for season six. | |
| First appearance | "Testing 1-2-3" (3.25) May 10, 2007 (as guest star) "A Change Is Gonna Come" (4.01) September 27, 2007 (as series regular) |
| Last appearance | "Flight" (8.24) May 17, 2012 (as series regular) "Breathe" (17.10) April 1, 2021 (as special guest star) |
| Created by | Shonda Rhimes |
| Portrayed by | Chyler Leigh |
| In-universe information | |
| Full name | Alexandra Caroline Grey |
| Nickname | Little Grey, Lexipedia, Three |
| Title | M.D. |
| Occupation | Surgical resident at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital Surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital (formerly) |
| Family | Thatcher Grey (father; deceased) Susan Grey (mother; deceased) Molly Grey-Thompson (sister) Meredith Grey (paternal half-sister) |
| Significant other | Jackson Avery (ex-boyfriend) Mark Sloan (soulmate; deceased) Alex Karev (ex-boyfriend) |
| Relatives | Eric Thompson (brother-in-law) Laura Grey-Thompson (niece) Derek Shepherd (half-brother-in-law, declared brother, deceased) Zola Grey Shepherd (niece) Derek Bailey Shepherd (nephew) Ellis Shepherd (niece) |
| Born | 1984 |
| Died | 2012 |
| Status | Deceased |
Characterized by Rhimes as a dork with issues expressing her feelings, Lexie's focal storyline in the series involved her on-again, off-again relationship with plastics attending Mark Sloan (Eric Dane). The pair sustained fatal injuries during an aviation accident in the eighth-season finale, and Seattle Grace Mercy West is subsequently renamed Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital in their memory. Following their deaths, Rhimes mused regarding the couple's romance: '...he [Mark] and Lexie get to be together in a way. Their love remains true." The reason given for Lexie's departure after over five years on the show was Leigh's desire to spend more time with her family.
Both the character and Leigh's performance received positive feedback and acclaim. Leigh was among the cast to receive a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2007.