Little Lexie is gone. Chyler Leigh is moving on to other career avenues. Teddy Altman has resigned. Kim Raver is also moving on.

Now Mark Sloan is leaving, too. Eric Dane is understood to be pursuing other endeavors. Are all the exit news over, or should the Grey's fans brace themselves for more departures?

Grey's Anatomy Season 9 is going to pick up from where it left off - a devastating plane crash into the woods, with one shocking fatality in the wreckage. The next season is expected to be even heavier than the Season 6 premiere, when George O'Malley (T. R. Knight) was buried.

Christina (Sandra Oh), Derek (Patrick Dempsey), Arizona (Jessica Capshaw) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) are still hoping for a rescue team to come. Mark (Eric Dane), who watched Lexie (Chyler Leigh) die in a gut-wrenching moment, needs a heart surgery.

Meanwhile, show runner Shonda Rhimes has said in previous interviews that there may or may not be another death coming. (Gasp.)

Here is a roundup of updates on the Grey's actors and actresses. These are news bits gathered since Grey's Season 8 was aired over 2 months ago. Read on and sound off your speculations.

Grey's Anatomy: Six remaining original cast from Season 1

(NOTE: The remaining six originals have all reportedly signed for two more years.)

Ellen Pompeo - Made it to Forbes' list of highest-paid TV actresses. Expected to enjoy a substantial raise after signing another 2-year contract with Shondaland. Recently spotted in New York. (It must be noted that the 2-year contract may have provided clauses for possible changes moving forward.)

Patrick Dempsey - Tweeted about going back to work, car racing on the side. Staying?

Sandra Oh - Thankful for Season 8. Signed up for two more years. Must be staying.

Chandra Wilson (Miranda Bailey) - Character proposed to boyfriend in Season 8. No news of leaving.

Justin Chambers (Alex Karev) - Character could replace Arizona tentatively. No news of leaving.

James Pickens, Jr. (Richard Webber) - Character has given up on his Alzheimer's-riddled wife. No news of leaving.

Grey's "promoted regulars" from Season 2 onwards

Eric Dane - Leaving. Expected to have closure with other characters. Could be dying. He may or may not make arrangements with Arizona and Callie regarding their baby girl.

Sara Ramirez (Callie Torres) - Just got married. Character expected to break down upon hearing news of plane crash. Will she exit in favor of new married life?

Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt) - Expressed willingness to do parachuting stunts for his character's wife. Must be staying.

Jessica Capshaw - Just gave birth to third child. Will she exit for more family time?

Meanwhile, Sarah Drew (April Kepner) has announced she is coming back next season. Jesse Williams (Jackson Avery) has also not surfaced in the news over a likely exit. After years of friendship, these two characters have just gotten to know each other better. Will they be an official couple next season?

Also read:

Grey's Anatomy Season 9: Actors get back to work, New Character 'Smashes' In

Grey's Anatomy Season 9: New Cast, New Twists, New Speculations