Theodora Grace "Teddy" Altman, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character from the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy. The character was created by series producer Shonda Rhimes, and is portrayed by Kim Raver. She was introduced as a recurring character in Season 6, but is later upgraded to series-regular in the same season after Katherine Heigl's departure from the series.
Altman was conceived as the third major cardiothoracic surgeon attending on the series, following the exits of Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) and Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith). In the storyline, Altman is brought in as a mentor for Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) at the suggestion of Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd), who had served with Altman in the military. This mentorship develops complications when a past connection between Owen and Teddy creates a love-triangle involving Yang.
Another notable storyline includes Altman's relationship with Henry Burton (Scott Foley), a patient she marries to provide healthcare coverage, only to eventually fall in love with him. Raver's initial stint on the show lasted from 2009 to 2012, ending with her departure in the Season 8 finale.
Altman reappears in Season 14 after a five-year absence when it is revealed that she helped identify Megan Hunt (Abigail Spencer), Owen's presumed-dead sister, who is found alive. In Season 15, Altman is upgraded once again to a series regular after it is revealed she is pregnant with Owen's child. Since her return, her storylines have focused on her involvement in multiple love triangles, including with Owen, Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone), and Tom Koracick (Greg Germann).
Altman's backstory also reveals she had a romantic relationship with Allison, her best friend who died during the 9/11 attacks. This revelation confirmed Altman's bisexuality, a significant development in her character's arc. Eventually, Altman ascends to the role of Chief of Surgery, succeeding Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) in the position.
Contents
Storylines
Teddy attended the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. She completed her surgical residency at George Washington University Medical School and her fellowship at Mayo Clinic, Florida. As an attending physician, Teddy worked at Columbia University, but after her best friend and lover Allison (Sherri Saum) was killed during the collapse of the second tower on September 11, 2001, she left and joined the army, meeting trauma surgeon Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) during her tour in Baghdad.
Owen brings Teddy to Seattle Grace Mercy West hospital to mentor his girlfriend, Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh). Teddy admits that she is in love with Owen, but he tells her that he loves Cristina. When Teddy assigns Cristina a difficult surgery for her first solo cardiothoracic case and refuses to assist, Owen questions Teddy's motives. Teddy decides to leave Seattle Grace; Cristina pleads with her to stay, even offering to break up with Owen if Teddy will continue to teach her. Although Teddy agrees to stay, Owen convinces Cristina to stay with him, and Teddy briefly removes her from her service.
Teddy develops a friendship with pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), who sets her up with plastic surgeon Mark Sloan (Eric Dane). They have a brief relationship, which they both enjoy despite knowing that neither wants the other—Teddy still wants Owen, and Mark is in love with Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh). The two separate amicably when Teddy walks in on Mark sleeping with resident Reed Adamson (Nora Zehetner).
Towards the end of Season 6, Teddy has to fight for her job as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Cristina asks Owen to put in a good word for Teddy; he does the opposite by telling Chief of Surgery Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) that she would land on her feet. Ultimately another candidate refuses to take the post and Teddy receives a full-time contract. Teddy later learns of, and is hurt by Owen's betrayal.
Teddy has a brief relationship with Andrew Perkins (James Tupper), whose service at the hospital is temporary. Before his departure, he suggests that Teddy has a tendency to fall for people who are either otherwise engaged or only in town for a month. She later meets Henry Burton (Scott Foley), a patient with the rare genetic condition Von Hippel–Lindau disease, who can no longer afford to pay for his medical care. Teddy marries him so that he can use her health insurance, and only comes to appreciate the gravity of this decision when Henry suffers a near fatal complication of his illness. Teddy discovers that he has listed her as his emergency contact and is forced to make a life-or-death decision regarding his care, not as his doctor but as his wife. Though the newly-weds both maintain that theirs is a simple marriage of convenience, and Teddy continues to date other men, Henry later confesses that he has feelings for Teddy. She tells him she does not feel the same way.
Development
Casting and creation
In October 2009, it was reported that actress Kim Raver would join Grey's Anatomy as Teddy Altman, initially in a recurring role for the show's sixth season. By January 2010, Raver was promoted to a series regular.
On May 18, 2012, a day after the Season 8 finale, Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes announced that it was Raver's decision to depart the series. Rhimes said, "I know this season's finale had some surprises for viewers and the exit of Kim Raver was one of the big ones. But Kim's series option was up and she was ready to give Teddy Altman a much-needed vacation. It's been a pleasure working with someone as talented and funny and kind as Kim; everyone is going to miss her terribly. I like to imagine that Teddy is still out there in the Grey's Anatomy universe, running Army Medical Command and building a new life."
When news of her departure was made public, Raver took to Twitter, expressing her gratitude: "I've had one of the best times of my creative career working on Grey's with Shonda, Betsy, and the best cast on television," adding: "I feel fortunate and grateful to have worked with such an amazing team at GA [Grey's Anatomy]. [I] am going to miss everyone!! And to the GA fans, you guys rock! I am sure S9 [Season 9] will be great!"
On June 20, 2017, it was announced that Raver would reprise her role as Teddy Altman in a guest arc for the show's 14th season. After recurring in Season 14, Raver was once again promoted to a series regular in Season 15.
Reception
Entertainment Weekly writer Tanner Stransky remarked that Teddy Altman had not been given a substantial storyline until the arrival of Henry Burton, stating: "I think Kim Raver has always been rather under-used on this show, until more recently."