<Tr> <Th> Significant other (s) </Th> <Td> Lexie Grey Stephanie Edwards </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> Samuel Norbert Avery (son, with April; deceased) Harriet Kepner - Avery (daughter with April) </Td> </Tr> <P> Jackson Avery, M.D. is a fictional character from ABC prime time medical drama, Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Jesse Williams . The character was created by series creator and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes . He was introduced in season six, episode 5, "Invasion" as a former surgical resident from Mercy West Medical Center when it merges with Seattle Grace Hospital . Williams initially appeared as a recurring cast member, and was later promoted to a series regular in season seven . The character's focal storyline involved his attempt to fit in at his new work environment, and trying to finding his own successes, instead of riding on the coattails of his famous family name . The character has also had significant romances with Lexie Grey and Stephanie Edwards . He was married but is now divorced to April Kepner . The couple had a child, Samuel Avery, who died soon after birth . However, the pair have a daughter, Harriett, who was not named after Catherine much to her dismay . She was conceived prior to the divorce . Dr. Avery later becomes a member of the board of directors at the newly established, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and is the current chairman . </P> <P> Jackson Avery is the grandson of Harper Avery, one of the most famous surgeons in the country and the namesake of the prestigious Harper Avery Award . He grew up hearing about the nobility of being a surgeon at his grandfather's dinner table, which inspired him to become a surgeon . He was raised by a single mother, after his father "ran off to God knows where because he couldn't stand the pressure of being an Avery ." His family never pushed him academically because he was' just the pretty one', so he pushed himself . Jackson is initially a surgical resident at Mercy West Hospital . He joins the staff at Seattle Grace Mercy West after the merger of the two hospitals, alongside April Kepner (Sarah Drew), Reed Adamson (Nora Zehetner), and Charles Percy (Robert Baker). Jackson's grandfather tries to convince him to take a position at Massachusetts General Hospital when he is admitted to Seattle Grace, but Jackson refuses . In the aftermath of a hospital shooting, Jackson's sleep is disturbed and he and April move into fellow resident Meredith Grey's (Ellen Pompeo) house . For some time, the loss of Percy in the shooting affects his quality of work and his mood . The seventh season gradually displays Jackson's interest in Meredith's sister, Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) and they start a relationship . Dr. Avery starts working with chief of plastic surgery Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), despite Sloan having been in a relationship with Lexie . However, Lexie cannot stand the fact that the two of them are working together, and when she later shows that she still has feelings for Sloan, Avery breaks up with her . </P>

When does jackson come to grey's anatomy