It has been almost two decades since the famous medical drama House hit American television screens. The instant-favorite series featured the titular character, Gregory House (played by Hugh Laurie), and his team solving compelling medical puzzles. Without a doubt, the pilot episode established its tone, and the series continued to deliver even more gripping episodes over the next decade. Moreover, House’s series finale provided a satisfying conclusion to the show. However, this didn’t necessarily mean a smooth ride for the show. The series faced challenges, starting with the abrupt departures of key cast members.
Thanks to the writers’ creative handling of character departures, House continued to maintain its status among TV medical drama fans. However, behind the scenes, the reasons for these cast members’ departures were mostly unrelated to the writers’ creativity. Here is the real reason why the cast of the show House left throughout the series’ run.
Olivia Wilde
Remy “Thirteen” Hadley
Thirteen, aka Remy Hadley (played by Olivia Wilde), was one of those dynamic additions to House in Season 4. Her arrival helped fill the void left by Cameron’s departure, and her mysterious backstory, including her Huntington’s diagnosis, gave the show an emotional edge. Wilde’s cool, cerebral performance made Thirteen a fan favorite in no time, and she remained a core part of the ensemble through Season 6.
Film Commitments and a Career Pivot
Wilde’s departure from House was largely due to scheduling conflicts with Cowboys & Aliens, the Jon Favreau-directed sci-fi Western in which she starred opposite Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. The movie’s production overlapped with House Season 7, prompting Wilde to take a temporary leave of absence. Though she returned briefly in Season 8, she ultimately left the show to pursue a broader film career, and suffice it to say, it was a move that paid off.
Wilde went on to star in Rush, The Lazarus Effect, People Like Us, and Her, and later made her directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Booksmart in 2019. She followed it up with Don’t Worry Darling in 2022.
Lisa Edelstein
Dr. Lisa Cuddy
Dr. Lisa Cuddy, played by Lisa Edelstein, was the no-nonsense hospital administrator and House’s long-running love interest. Their volatile relationship was a central thread throughout the series, and it came crashing down in Season 7’s infamous moment when House drove his car into her dining room. From a character standpoint, Cuddy’s exit made sense; behind the scenes, however, the story was more complicated.
Pay Dispute Ends a Crucial Arc
Edelstein left the show because of contract negotiations ahead of Season 8. The network proposed salary reductions across the board, and Edelstein declined to renew her contract under those terms. As a result, Cuddy was written out of the show entirely, and notably, she never returned. Not even for the series finale. Fans were stunned by this abrupt exit, given Cuddy’s importance to House’s arc. Since leaving the show, however, Edelstein has remained active in television, with standout roles in The Good Wife, Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce, The Kominsky Method, and 9-1-1: Lone Star.
Jennifer Morrison
Dr. Allison Cameron
Jennifer Morrison’s portrayal of Dr. Allison Cameron was genuinely important in House’s early seasons. Her character’s moral compass and emotional vulnerability often clashed with House’s cynicism, sparking some of the show’s most memorable ethical debates. By Season 6, Cameron had divorced Chase and left Princeton-Plainsboro. The twist was justified, but fans still wondered why Morrison exited the show altogether.
A Sudden Exit Without Closure
Unlike many of her co-stars, Morrison did not leave House for another role or due to contract disputes. Her departure was unexpected, even to her. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, she admitted, “I find the entire situation sort of confusing. I don’t know anything about anything… Everyone expects me to have an answer, and there’s no answer to have because there’s… no answer.” It is widely believed that the writers simply ran out of storylines for Cameron.
Since leaving House, she has built a strong TV career, starring as Emma Swan in Once Upon a Time, appearing in This Is Us, and directing her first feature film, Sun Dogs.
Kal Penn
Dr. Lawrence Kutner
Dr. Lawrence Kutner, played by Kal Penn, was one of the most likable and intellectually curious members of House’s rotating team. His sudden death by suicide in Season 5 is one of the show’s most shocking moments, not just for viewers, but also for the characters themselves. The lack of an explanation made the plot twist particularly shocking, leaving House fans grasping for answers.
Leaving Medicine for Public Service
Off-screen, Penn’s departure was far less mysterious. In 2009, he accepted a position in the Obama administration as Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The decision to leave acting for public service was rare and respected, and the showrunners chose to reflect that sudden decision in Kutner’s storyline. Penn later returned to acting with memorable roles in Designated Survivor, Clarice, and The Santa Clauses, while continuing to engage in political advocacy and public speaking.
Amber Tamblyn
Martha M. Masters
Dr. Martha Masters, played by Amber Tamblyn, briefly joined House in Season 7. Despite not being in the show since the very beginning, Masters quickly became a fan favorite for being the moral and intellectual counterpoint to House’s ethically flexible team. Her honesty, rigidity, academic brilliance, and awkward charm made her stand out and gave the series a fresh dynamic during Thirteen’s absence.
A Well-Planned Exit and Creative Shift
Tamblyn’s departure from House wasn’t abrupt or dramatic. It was part of the plan from the start. In an interview with TV Line, she explained, “Thirteen episodes were always what I signed up to do. That was the plan all along. I never had any intention of staying longer than 13 episodes… But Katie [Jacobs] and I fell in love with this other project, and I knew the time was right.” Unlike the other cast members, Masters was written off gracefully, choosing to leave House’s team on her own terms. It offered a moment of clarity and self-possession in the series.
Since then, Tamblyn has continued to evolve as an artist and activist. She has appeared in Two and a Half Men, Inside Amy Schumer, and Y: The Last Man, and has published multiple books of poetry and essays, including Era of Ignition, which explores feminism and politics.
House is available to stream on Hulu, Disney+, Apple TV, Peacock, and Prime Video.
- Release Date
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2004 – 2012-00-00
- Network
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FOX
- Directors
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Deran Sarafian