Today we take a look at one of Grey’s Anatomy’s most iconic characters, Izzy, and her troubled love life. Masterfully played by Katherine Heigl —the role that made her rose to fame— Izzy Stevens stayed on the show for five years —from 2005-2010. This character was initially developed by Shonda Rhimes and started out as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital establishing relationships with Meredith Grey, Alex Karev, Cristina Yang, and George O’Malley as a key point in the series’ early development.
For her portrayal of Izzy Stevens, Katherine Heigl won a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 2007. Throughout the series, Izzy has had a series of ups and downs in her love life, so let’s put the magnifying glass on her character development across the series to see how it goes and take a look at with whom she ends up. Without further ado, let’s begin.
Who Does Izzy End Up With In Grey’s Anatomy?
Izzy is introduced to us as a 27-year-old resident and former model in Grey’s Anatomy and the girlfriend of a hockey player. She and that hockey player named Hank break up after the man has trouble accepting her role as a surgeon. Then, she begins a romance with Alex Karev, but then he cheats on her with a nurse. However, they have an on-again, off-again relationship. But that doesn’t keep Izzy from finding true love because she then falls for a patient and becomes engaged with him. Her character is further developed when we see that Izzy deliberately harms this man to send him to the transplant list. But he eventually dies.
Alex
Izzy ends up with Alex Karev. They get married and have two children together. Izzy is a doctor, and Alex is a lawyer. They met when they were both interns at Seattle Grace Hospital.
Cancer & Moving On
Alex and Izzy develop a strong bond, and their love eventually rekindles, but then tragedy strikes, and Izzy develops stage 4 cancer, and the relationship between the two deteriorates when it comes to childbearing, conception, and work issues. Alex divorces Izzy and remarries. Despite their struggles, Izzy had twins —Eli and Alexis— and relocated to Kansas, where she works as a surgical oncologist.
Why Did Katherine Heigl Leave Grey’s Anatomy?
Katherine Heigl left Grey’s Anatomy in 2010 after she was unhappy with her character’s development. She felt that her character was not being given enough to do, and she was not challenged enough. Katherine also had disagreements with the show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes. After she left the show, Katherine focused on her film career.
Also Read: Grey’s Anatomy Season 18 Episode 20 Recap: The Season Finale