when does lexie grey join grey's anatomy
season three
title: Lexie Grey text: Lexie Grey Alexandra Caroline "Lexie" Grey, M.D. is a fictional character from ABC's medical drama television series "Grey's Anatomy", portrayed by actress Chyler Leigh. Created by showrunner Shonda Rhimes, the character is introduced in season three as protagonist Meredith Grey's younger half-sister, who has transferred to Seattle Grace Hospital as a new surgical intern after her mother's sudden death. Lexie is eventually named a surgical resident in season six. Leigh was originally contracted to appear for a multi-episode story arc, but ultimately received star billing from seasons four to eight. Leigh has also reprised her role as Lexie on the title: Lexie Grey text: Series. Specific General Lexie Grey Alexandra Caroline "Lexie" Grey, M.D. is a fictional character from ABC's medical drama television series "Grey's Anatomy", portrayed by actress Chyler Leigh. Created by showrunner Shonda Rhimes, the character is introduced in season three as protagonist Meredith Grey's younger half-sister, who has transferred to Seattle Grace Hospital as a new surgical intern after her mother's sudden death. Lexie is eventually named a surgical resident in season six. Leigh was originally contracted to appear for a multi-episode story arc, but ultimately received star billing from seasons four to eight. Leigh has also reprised her role as title: Chyler Leigh text: the cast of "Reunion" in September 2005. In ABC's medical drama "Grey's Anatomy", Leigh first appeared as a woman in Joe's bar who was noticed by Derek Shepherd during the final two episodes of the third season, and her character is later revealed to be Lexie Grey, the younger half-sister of the titular character. Leigh was made an official series regular for season four and remained so until the eighth-season finale, as Leigh chose to depart from the show after five years to spend more time with her family. Leigh also makes music with her husband Nathan West (East of title: Grey's Anatomy (season 4) text: Kate Walsh's transition the "Grey's Anatomy" spin-off, "Private Practice", her character left the show after a two-year run. On June 7, 2007, it was announced that Isaiah Washington's contract had not been renewed. Former "Reunion" star, Chyler Leigh, guest starred in the final two episodes of season three as Lexie Grey, a new intern and Meredith Grey’s younger half-sister. On June 11, 2007, it was announced that Leigh would become a series regular, instead of a 13 episode story arc as previously planned. The character Dr. Erica Hahn, portrayed by Brooke Smith joined the main cast, reprising her antagonizing role title: Grey's Anatomy text: the season. Sarah Drew (Dr. April Kepner) and Jesse Williams (Dr. Jackson Avery), who both made their series debuts as recurring characters in the sixth season, and received star billing in the seventh. The six original actors' contracts expired after season eight, but in May 2012, Pompeo, Oh, Dempsey, Chambers, Wilson, and Pickens renewed their contracts with the show for another two years. At the conclusion of the eighth season, Leigh's character Lexie Grey departed from the show at Leigh's request, and with Rhimes's agreement. Raver's character Teddy Altman was also written out of the show during the season eight