Oh has played Cristina since “Grey’s Anatomy” debuted in 2005 and is

Oh has played Cristina since “Grey’s Anatomy” debuted in 2005 and is slated to leave the medical drama after Season 10 is complete and her two year contract comes to an end. “I’ve gone through a lot of therapy over this,” a reportedly teary Oh said, adding that she started thinking about leaving last year. “I started thinking about it because I had to prepare myself. I gave myself two years to emotionally let go. At the end of last season, Shonda (Rhimes) took me aside and said, ‘What are your thoughts?’ I said, ‘I’m ready.'”

The Emmy-nominated actress told her co-stars about her exit plans during a table read Tuesday for the show’s 200th episode and said her choice “doesn’t feel real” so far. “I seriously think I need that much support over processing it over this next year for me to be able to leave fully and leave in a way that I feel like Cristina deserves,” she said, emphasizing Rhimes’ support. “For the first time, at least for my character, you actually have an endpoint, which in series television you never or very rarely have.”

Meanwhile, Rhimes called Oh’s work on the series “brilliant” and “nuanced.” “Over the past ten seasons, I have been made better by Sandra’s trust, faith and friendship and I can’t quantify how grateful I am for her collaboration on a character we both love so deeply,” Rhimes told The Wrap. Cristina is the second character Rhimes came up with when she created the drama. “This year is going to be bittersweet for us — we’re both going to savor every moment of Cristina Yang and then we’re going to give her the exit she deserves. And when Sandra walks out of my door, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ will once again be forever changed.”