 Owen Hunt , M.D. is a fictional character from the medical drama television series Grey 's Anatomy , which airs on the American Broadcasting Company ( ABC ) in the United States . The character was created by series ' producer Shonda Rhimes , and is portrayed by actor Kevin McKidd . He was introduced in season five as a U.S. Army trauma surgeon who served in war @-@ torn Iraq , and subsequently joins the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital to teach medicine as a surgical attending , head of trauma surgery , and eventual chief of surgery , sometimes with unorthodox methods . Originally contracted to appear for a multi @-@ episode story arc , he was upgraded to a series ' regular at the conclusion of his first appearance . 
