“Arizona Robbins,” The Longest Running Lesbian TV Character EVER, Leaves Grey’s Anatomy

Last week, “Arizona Robbins” appeared in her last Grey’s Anatomy episode, and the queer internet collectively sobbed and said goodbye to one of our most beloved, exuberant, hilarious, and multidimensional lesbian characters we’ve ever witnessed.

Arizona Robbins, M.D. GREY’S ANATOMY 2008-2018

A post shared by Jessica Capshaw (@jessicacapshaw) on May 17, 2018 at 11:45pm PDT

Arizona first appeared in Grey’s Anatomy in season five, and has been on 228 episodes – that makes her the longest running lesbian character in television history. 

Robbins’ relationship with surgeon “Callie Torres” (played by Sara Ramirez) was also the longest running queer couple EVER, together for 133 episodes. To add even more magnitude to “Robbins'” character, she is the second queer, disabled character to ever appear on ABC. According to the most recent GLAAD media report, this year, the percentage and number of series regulars with disabilities has risen slightly to 1.8 percent (16 characters) from the previous year’s 1.7 percent (15 characters).  With such little queer disabled represtantion, “Robbins'” character is monumental. To make her even more significant, she broke the unfortunate trend of queer women characters routinely getting killed off. Her character left the show to open a practice in New York and to be close to her ex wife so they could share custody of their daughter.

Season 7…it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…massive car accident, pregnancies (real life and tv life) , births (real life and tv life), saving lives, losing lives, weddings, breakups, hilarity and heartbreak. Resilience, grit, perseverance and some insanely hard work. And a musical episode on top. And I am grateful for IT ALL. @shondarhimes shattering glass ceilings with love is love is love is love…

A post shared by Jessica Capshaw (@jessicacapshaw) on May 10, 2018 at 8:47pm PDT

It’s no surprise that everyone, including Shonda Rhimes, creator of “Grey’s Anatomy,” is devastated by her departure, but forever positively changed by her existence.

Today, in the midst of scheduled mania of #scandal series finale, two beautifully talented women filmed their last scenes at #greysanatomy. Having these things happen at the same time is almost impossible to process. I need to devote a whole day just to celebrate Jessica and just to celebrate Sarah. To tell you stories about their talent and to tell what I know about what their roles have meant. A social media post won’t cut it and I will not minimize their magic by pretending it will. I have more to say. I will do so. For now I will just say how lucky we were to witness their talents and the magic they brought to their characters. @jessicacapshaw @thesarahdrew

A post shared by Shonda Rhimes (@shondarhimes) on Apr 19, 2018 at 9:01pm PDT

The iconic “Arizona Robbins” was played by Jessica Capshaw, who was just as emotional as her fans about leaving the show.

pic.twitter.com/HVfHbkEQTG

— Jessica Capshaw (@JessicaCapshaw) March 8, 2018

Thank you, Arizona Robbins, for warming our hearts, entertaining us, making us cry, speaking truth to our lives, showing our love, and giving us representation.