In the March 19 episode of Grey's Anatomy season 22, Katie Rogers passed away during hospice care at Lucas's home. Actor Niko Terho, who plays Lucas, discussed the emotional impact on his character in an interview with TVLine. Lucas missed her final moments while fetching medical supplies.
The episode marked the end of Katie Rogers's storyline, as she died after moving in with Lucas and others for hospice treatment the previous week. Niko Terho told TVLine, 'I always had it in the back of my mind that it was going to happen, but it didn't really become real and the whole devastation of it didn't really hit until it actually arrived.' Lucas was not present for her death, having rushed to the hospital for containers to drain her fluid and ease her discomfort. Simone had hidden the containers following Bailey's instructions to avoid over-draining, which could lead to complications, though Lucas prioritized alleviating Katie's pain. Earlier in the episode, Katie and Lucas confessed their feelings, holding hands and imagining a shared life in New York, where she would run a therapy practice and he would pursue a fellowship. Terho noted the strong chemistry with co-star Samantha Marie Ware, who plays Simone, built through extensive shared scenes. Lucas will grapple with self-blame for his absence and direct anger toward Simone, creating a significant hurdle in their relationship, whether platonic or romantic. Terho described new facets of Lucas revealed this season, including his passion, tunnel vision for those he cares about, and extraordinary capacity for love. The storyline also deepened Lucas's bond with Bailey, as they shared personal emotions tied to Katie. Terho highlighted learning personal details about Bailey beyond the workplace, strengthening their connection amid the ups and downs.