Justin Chambers Is Ready for “More Complex, Antagonistic” Roles After Years on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Justin Chambers is ready to “play someone so different” from his character on Grey’s Anatomy.

The actor, who played Dr. Alex Karev for 16 seasons on the long-running medical drama before announcing his exit in 2020, used his guest appearance on the crime anthology series Accused as the type of role he’s looking to play in the future.

“What drew me in was the chance to play someone so different from Alex Karev,” Chambers recently told Us Weekly. “After years of being a familiar face as Karev, it felt exciting to step into a more complex, antagonistic role and show a different side of myself as an actor.”

While Chambers enjoyed his time on Grey’s Anatomy and appreciates all the opportunities it’s given him, he also had “a blast” working on something that was the complete opposite of the popular ABC show.

“Grey’s Anatomy has given me a freedom that many actors don’t often experience, and now I’m excited about exploring passion projects both within and outside of Hollywood,” the actor explained. “I’m choosing to follow my heart in all my artistic and commercial pursuits. I really prefer being part of good storytelling, no matter how long it is. For me, it’s not about the quantity, it’s about the quality of the story and the acting. I want to tell stories that tackle real issues, like those in Accused.”

Chambers first joined Grey’s Anatomy when it premiered in 2005. Then after 16 seasons, he announced he was leaving the show in 2020, only after his final episode aired on Nov. 14, 2019.

As for whether Chambers would be interested in returning for a larger storyline on the Fox crime drama following his season two appearance on one episode, the actor said he’s “open.”

“It felt like shooting a small film since each episode stands alone,” he added. “Working on something where you know the ending — unlike some other projects — is really exciting. I believe people will look forward to fresh episodes and new storylines on Accused.”