Grey’s Anatomyfans will eventually come to learn what happened toJustin Chambers’ Dr. Alex Karev.

“It was a very careful threading of a needle, where we are giving a little bit of information and pain to Jo,” she said, referring toCamilla Luddington’s character. In the latest episode, Jo told Amelia (Caterina Scorsone) that Alex had stopped returning her calls and that he was “going through something.”

Justin Chambers onGrey’s Anatomy.Richard Cartwright/Walt Disney Television via Getty

GREY’S ANATOMY

Vernoff explained that she wanted to be careful with Jo’s emotional state.

“Jo went through so much pain and so much grief just last season that I wanted to be careful,” Vernoff said. “And so it’s a bit of a mystery [what’s going on with Alex], so that we don’t watch Jo in the same place that we watched her in last season. We did it as carefully as we could. But it takes a while to get there.”

Last month,ABC confirmed to PEOPLEthat Chambers, 49, was not returning to the franchise.

Jennifer Clasen/ABC

Justin Chambers Grey’s Anatomy Camilla Luddington

He added, “As I move on fromGrey’s Anatomy, I want to thank the ABC family,Shonda Rhimes, original cast membersEllen Pompeo,Chandra WilsonandJames Pickens, and the rest of the amazing cast and crew, both past and present, and, of course, the fans for an extraordinary ride.”

Throughout the years, fans grew to love his character Dr. Alex Karev — an egotistical medical intern who blossomed into a nurturing pediatric surgeon throughout the seasons. Last season, Karev was fired for his involvement in the insurance fraud scandal and was hired Chief of Staff and Chief of Surgery at Pacific Northwest General Hospital. His last episode aired on Nov. 14.

“I mean that’s the hard part aboutGrey’s, people come and go,”Jake Borelli, who plays Dr. Levi Schmitt, told PEOPLE. “We had that happen with Jessica Capshaw and then before, and I think it’s like life, it ebbs and flows.”

“You know, Alex Karev, the character, has been a massive part of the show for so long, so it’s going to be interesting being in the hospital without that force,” he continued. “So we’re excited to see what the rest of the season brings.”

Grey’s Anatomyairs Thursdays (9 p.m. ET) on ABC.

source: people.com