Mark Everett Sloan,[1] M.D., F.A.C.S., is a fictional character on the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Eric Dane.

Created by the show's executive producer and creator Shonda Rhimes, the character was introduced in the Season 2 as the former best friend of Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

Mark's character was praised for his complexity, from being a charismatic and womanizing surgeon to a man who deeply cared about those close to him, especially Lexie, Derek and Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez).

He is a highly respected plastic surgeon, specializing in otorhinolaryngology and the childhood best friend of neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey).

Mark travels to Seattle, intending to convince Addison to return with him to New York, but his offer is rejected, and Derek declines to renew their friendship.

Undeterred, Mark sells his successful private practice (which he previously shared with Derek) and takes over the plastics service at Seattle Grace Hospital.

During Meredith's morphine rampage, Mark finds out about his nickname "McSteamy," which was given to him during his first trip to Seattle when he attempted to get Addison back and re-earn Derek's friendship.

Mark has a brief fling with Addison's friend, orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), and develops a friendship with Meredith.

Addison ultimately breaks the pact by having sex with intern Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), and soon thereafter departs from Seattle to work in Los Angeles.

After a string of unresolved sexual tension, Mark finds himself seduced by Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), despite Derek's request that he keep their relationship platonic.

He enters into a relationship with cardiothoracic surgeon Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), despite knowing she is in love with their trauma colleague, Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd).

When Callie's girlfriend, pediatric surgeon Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), breaks up with her, she and Mark have a drunken one-night stand.

After a long time without dating, Mark begins a relationship with ophthalmologist Julia Canner (Holley Fain), making Lexie jealous.

Flashbacks show Mark extending congratulations to newlyweds Callie and Arizona, stating that Lexie is the one he wants to grow old and dance with at their granddaughter's wedding.

Rhimes explained that she and Dane had decided to conclude Mark's storyline after much discussion, adding: "It was something Eric had been thinking about for a while, but it felt like the right time to him.

Online reported that Rhimes had been compelled by the network to reduce the cast due to budget reasons and that Dane had not asked to leave the series.

"[16] Victor Balta of Today included their friendship in its "TV's best bromances" list, calling them "the most exciting couple on Grey’s".

He explained, "They’ve demonstrated an easy chemistry that makes for some of the great comic relief around Seattle Grace Hospital with their banter, sage wisdom on each other’s lives, and locker room-style teasing".

[18][19][20][21] However, after the announcement of Dane's departure from the show, Mark Perigard of the Boston Herald felt that Sloan and Derek "never clicked like you’d expect friends would.

Janalen Samson of BuddyTV noted, "Eric Dane has always shown a facility for sly, deft comedy and these scenes with Jesse Williams are proving to be gems.

[23] Writing for TV Fanatic, Courtney Morrison commented, "Sloan has brought the GA comedy scale up a bit with his bromances and mentoring Jackson".

[25] The Los Angeles Times TV columnist Carina Mackenzie described Sloan's scenes with Torres as "always perfectly sharp".