Dean Miller's Station 19 Death Still Chokes Me Up — Okieriete Onaodowan's Exit, Explained

Dean Miller (Okieriete Onaodowa) had an incredibly tragic death in Station 19, and his absence left a big hole in the series. Station 19 ended with season 7 in 2024, and fans are still reeling from the finale of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff. While we had to say goodbye to some beloved characters, it also offered audiences the chance to say hello one last time to someone who died, Dean Miller. There have been a handful of shocking deaths in Station 19, but Dean's was particularly hard to absorb.

Dean is a firefighter in the eponymous Station 19 who appeared in the pilot and starred in the show until his death. Dean came to firefighting via an unusual path. Originally, Dean worked in a lucrative corporate job, but after a drug overdose incident at his work, Dean realized that being a first responder was his true calling. He's a talented firefighter and also a charmer, never afraid to use his work to get a date. Dean appeared in a few episodes of Grey's Anatomy, and he became a staple of the franchise, making his death all the more affecting.

Dean Miller Died In A Gas Explosion In Station 19 Season 5

Dean Was Officially Announced Dead In Grey's Anatomy

In season 5, episode 5, "Things We Lost in the Fire", Dean Miller is given great news. His request to move to Oakland and expand his Crisis One program, which trains crisis response teams for non-violent crimes, was approved. As he's considering his next steps, Dean and Station 19 are called to investigate a gas line explosion, and while he's going door-to-door telling neighbors to evacuate, a house blows up with him and Pat Aquino (Alain Uy) nearby. Pat seems OK, but Dean is being given chest compressions as the episode ends.

Jaina-Lee-Ortiz-and-Grey-Damon-in-Station-19

Station 19: Watch It Or Skip It Episode Guide For All 7 Seasons

Station 19, the second major Grey's Anatomy spinoff, had a strong 7-season run. With just over 100 episodes, the series had some worth skipping.

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The story picks up in Grey's Anatomy season 18, episode 5, "Bottle Up and Explode!" but Dean has already passed, and the episode sees everyone dealing with the fallout. Dean's death hits Vic (Barrett Doss) hardest because she and Dean had been in love, and though she was angry at him for leaving for Oakland, they still said they loved one another just before the explosion. Miranda (Chandra Wilson) and Ben (Jason George) also ended up adopting Dean's daughter, changing their lives in the series.

Dean ended up returning in the Station 19 series finale, in a vision, after Vic gives her presentation. The ghost of her old flame tells her he's proud of her, and it's a touching reminder of how much Dean has affected the series.

What The Dean Miller Actor, Okieriete Onaodowan, Said About Leaving Station 19

Onaodowan Asked That His Character Be Written Off The Show

Dean Miller (Okieriete Onaodowan) looking serious in his firefighter's uniform in Station 19.

According to Variety, Okieriete Onaodowan asked to leave Station 19, feeling like it was time. He said in a statement,

"It's been a pleasure being Dean. I have Shonda Rhimes, Stacy McKee, Krista Vernoff, Paris Barclay and ABC to thank for allowing me to bring him to life. I am grateful I got to work with the most loving, kind and dedicated crew in network TV. And most importantly, thanks to the fans for showing Dean so much love. I hope he has inspired you to change your world for the better. Be the change!"

Onaodowan clearly had a good time playing his character on Station 19, but five seasons were enough for him. Not many characters died on Station 19, which is why Onaodowan may have felt it necessary to actually ask to be removed; otherwise, the producers might have thought about keeping him around until the end. Station 19's showrunner, Krista Vernoff, said,

"I am heartbroken by the loss of Dean Miller and that I no longer get to write for Oak. Oak has an expansive spirit and was ready for and craving new artistic horizons —and I truly can't wait to see what he does next. It will be powerful, it will be deep, and it will be courageous, because Oak is all of those things."

So it wasn't just characters and fans Dean Miller charmed, but the writers for the show as well.

Okieriete Onaodowan's Post-Station 19 Career, Explained

Onaodowan Has Had A Successful Stage Career

Dean Miller (Okieriete Onaodowan) looking at someone in Station 19.

Since Station 19, Onaodowan has appeared in two movies, Molli and Max in the Future as Moebias and American Fiction as Van Go Jenkins. He also has a recurring role in Jack Ryan as Adebayo 'Ade' Osoji. Onaodowan has had a successful career on stage as well, starring in a revival of A Doll's House as Nills Krogstead on Broadway. At the moment, the Dean Miller actor only has a few short films on the docket, but the Station 19 star is sure to have something big soon.