Grey’s Anatomy’s Sandra Oh Details How Script Demands Caused “Grief”

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For Sandra Oh, Grey’s Anatomy helped her learn what it takes to be your own person.

The actress looked back at her 10-year stint playing Cristina Yang on the popular ABC medical series, describing it as “one of the toughest decades” she’s experienced. Yet, she acknowledged that the show provided her with “a sense of financial security, recognition, and status.

In her speech at Dartmouth College’s graduation on June 15, she shared that when I began working on ‘Grey’, I was in my early thirties. This gave me a sense of self and understanding of the job, but I had no inkling of the challenges ahead. I set high expectations for myself and the team.

As a lifestyle expert, when I encountered something that didn’t sit well with me in a script, I took it upon myself to advocate for what I felt was right for Cristina’s character. I felt a strong sense of responsibility towards her, and this determination played a significant role in shaping her into the memorable character she became. However, my persistent efforts to mold the dialogue and my conviction that I knew what was best for the character often led to friction with the writers, causing both them and me some distress.

The 53-year-old mentioned that there was someone specifically assigned to handle any changes related to her storyline. However, tensions escalated during season six, as she and the writers found themselves at odds over a particular script passage.

She mentioned that she had a conversation with Shonda Rhimes, the mastermind behind Grey’s Anatomy. She recounted how Rhimes told her, “Sandra, remember, we’ve been in this position before. You need to trust me. If you utter those words, something will work out.

She clarified that her discomfort persisted, yet her perspective on it transformed. Instead of forcing things to conform to her desires, she embraced her unease and remained open. This shift led to something novel emerging—something not exclusively hers or the writer’s, but a deeper, more enriching insight that allowed her to better understand herself as the character, an actor, and a collaborator.

And for the Emmy winner, “Nothing has taught me more than being with discomfort.”

She advised graduates, “This experience could serve as our most valuable learning moment. It’s unavoidable, but if you learn to embrace discomfort instead of avoiding it, and trust that it may be guiding you towards unknown knowledge, you can cultivate inner resilience that will empower you to confront life’s difficulties without compromising your values or identity.

As Sandra explains, those words provided her with a fresh perspective for dealing with life’s challenges.

She clarified, “The unease persisted, yet my perspective on it shifted. By relinquishing control and remaining receptive to my discomfort, I encountered something novel – a sensation that wasn’t solely mine or the author’s, but a more profound insight that enriched my comprehension of myself as the character, an artist, and a collaborator.

And for the Emmy winner, “Nothing has taught me more than being with discomfort.”

She advised graduates by saying, “This could become our most valuable learning experience, and it’s unavoidable. If you learn to embrace discomfort instead of avoiding it, and trust that it may be revealing something you’re yet to understand, it can help foster resilience within you – a strength that will empower you to confront life’s hurdles while holding onto your beliefs and identity.

In a nod to her character’s memorable phrase, Sandra stated, “Whenever life becomes challenging or simply wonderful, such as on days like today, remember to find moments to let loose and dance, whether you’re alone, with loved ones, or even strangers.

To find out what other Grey’s Anatomy alums have been up to since leaving the show, read on.

In the third season, Burke left Cristina at the altar without a word, later winning a Harper Avery award at another location. He eventually settled down in Zurich, Switzerland where he opened a state-of-the-art hospital. Over time, he married, started a family, and then in the tenth season, invited Cristina to take over his hospital as he retired, having grown tired of it all.

Isaiah Washington departed the show following allegations that he used a derogatory term towards costar T.R. Knight during an on-set dispute with Patrick Dempsey. His attempts to defend himself only made matters worse, ultimately leading to his dismissal from the series. However, it seems that Washington and ABC reconciled, as he was allowed to rejoin the show in 2014.

What did Washington say about the incident later on? He subsequently released a public apology, further commenting in a separate statement, “I must acknowledge that there are aspects of this situation that I clearly need to confront within myself. I have requested assistance for self-examination.

Since leaving “Grey’s Anatomy”, he has taken on various roles, including Thelonious Jaha on The CW’s “The 100”. This character met his end in season five. Subsequently, he appeared in the critically praised “P-Valley” on Starz.

Izzie Stevens developed cancer, later married Alex Karev, overcame the disease but eventually vanished during season six. She eventually reappeared, confessing she no longer felt attached to Seattle. Later, Alex received divorce papers, and it’s now revealed that Izzie secretly had twins by Alex, lives on a ranch in Kansas, and has become a surgical oncologist.

Katherine Heigl’s departure from the series started in 2008 when she chose not to put herself forward for Emmy nomination, as she felt the content wasn’t worthy. By 2010, her character was written out completely. Since then, she has expressed a desire to reprise her role, but the show’s creator, Shonda Rhimes, has indicated that she is finished with that narrative. As she told TVLine in 2015, “I’ve moved on from that story.

Initially rising to fame in romantic comedies, Heigl subsequently appeared in a few more of these films before moving back to television with shows like “State of Affairs” and “Doubt”. More recently, she had a storyline on “Suits” and starred in “Firefly Lane”, which ended in 2023.

In the fourth season, young trainee Norman found himself grappling with misconceptions about his role, as some mistook him for a senior doctor due to his mature appearance. A blunder led him to inform a patient that she was close to death, and later he suffered a stroke. After undergoing surgery to eliminate a blood clot, he made the decision post-surgery to switch departments and focus on psychology instead.

Edward Herrmann, a well-known and admired actor, is primarily recognized for his role as Richard Gilmore on the TV series “Gilmore Girls.” Prior to his passing in 2014, he made appearances in numerous episodes of shows such as “The Good Wife,” “Harry’s Law,” and even “American Dad.

In the show, Sydney temporarily replaced Bailey during her maternity leave and became known for her excessive cheerfulness, which often irritated others. At one point, she went out on a date with Derek, but later faded from the scene around early season four. However, she made a brief return to her role in season 21, which aired in 2024.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m thrilled to share that my recent acting ventures have included gracing the screens on Disney’s hit shows “Liv and Maddie” and “Man with a Plan.” Additionally, I’ve been fortunate enough to secure a spot in an upcoming episode of the beloved series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” set for release in 2024. It’s a privilege to be part of such esteemed projects, and I can’t wait for you all to see them!

Among the most heart-wrenching stories on this list, at the end of season five, George made a momentous decision to join the army as a trauma surgeon. On his way to fulfill this commitment, he heroically saved a woman from being run over by a bus, but unfortunately, he was struck himself. His condition when he arrived at the hospital was so grave that no one recognized him until he managed to write his nickname, “007,” in Meredith’s hand. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to save him, and he sadly passed away.

Following multiple challenging periods off-camera (which included Isaiah Washington reportedly using offensive language towards him), Knight found difficulty with certain storylines involving George and was displeased by George’s minimal screen time during the early part of season five. As a result, he requested to terminate his contract.

In the year 2017, Knight revisited Shondaland for a stint on The Catch, and since then, he’s been seen in shows like The Good Wife, 11.22.63, Genius, and many more. In 2019, he began voice acting for The Bravest Knight, a role he left in 2024. Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, he worked alongside Kaley Cuoco on the HBO Max series The Flight Attendant.

He also returned to Grey’s for one episode to meet Meredith during her COVID-19 coma in season 17. 

In the fifth season, Erica Hahn ended her relationship with Callie Torres and quit her job after discovering that Callie had not reported an incident involving Izzie Stevens. Izzie, in attempts to save Denny Duquette’s life, had cut his LVAD wire, which was later used for another patient of Erica’s. When Callie refused to disclose this situation, Erica felt compelled to leave both the relationship and her job.

After that, Brooke Smith made appearances in shows like Bosch, Bates Motel, Supergirl, The Good Doctor, Chicago Med, and The Good Fight, as well as the 2019 movie Bombshell.

Most recently, she had arcs in Ryan Murphy‘s Grotesquerie, The Recruit and The Hunting Party. 

Ryan, our intern, was absent during the early episodes of season six. More recently, Brandon Scott has been featured in popular Netflix series such as “Dead To Me,” “13 Reasons Why,” “This Is Us,” and “The Good Doctor.

Despite the frequent turmoil that many Grey’s interns seem to stir up, Megan might opt for the scalpel instead. She found herself in a complicated love situation involving both Steve and Pierce – she was dating Pierce, but slept with Steve, which led to Pierce wanting to harm Steve. Megan then became pregnant by Steve, later married him, and hasn’t appeared on the show since season six, following Derek Shepherd’s decision to rehire her.

Molly Kidder has taken on various acting roles since her time on ‘Grey’s’, such as a guest appearance on ‘Outsourced’ in 2010, and independent films. Additionally, she made an extra appearance in ‘Ghosts’ in the year 2025.

In the TV series, Joe Williamson, who was a key player in the love triangle involving Megan, Pierce, and Steve, was let go during a wave of layoffs in season six. Since then, he has been seen on shows such as “Here and Now” and the 2019 movie “Ford v Ferrari”, sharing screen time with Christian Bale and Matt Damon.

In a workplace love triangle involving an internship, Steve ultimately ended up marrying Megan and becoming her child’s father. Despite surviving the layoffs, he didn’t appear in any episodes beyond season seven.

After his enigmatic absence from Grey’s, Mark Saul has been seen on various television shows, such as Franklin & Bash, Mom, The Great Indoors, Grace & Frankie, Modern Family, and I Think You Should Leave.

In the sixth season, Nurse Olivia lost her job due to the merger with Mercy West. However, she briefly reappeared in season 14 when her son accidentally swallowed a toy while she was in Seattle visiting her parents. Coincidentally, her son was attended by Alex, who had previously given Olivia syphilis. During this visit, she also had the chance to chat with Jo, Alex’s then-fiancée.

Since her departure from Grey’s Anatomy in 2009, Sarah Utterback has graced several television shows, such as Reception and Mysteries of Laura. In the year 2024, she made a brief appearance on the series 9-1-1.

Graciella, the intern who was last spotted during the hospital shooting in season six, has been keeping extremely busy since then. Notable appearances include a stint on How to Get Away with Murder, roles in S.W.A.T., The Good Doctor, American Housewife, Animal Kingdom, Snowfall, Criminal Minds, NCIS: LA, Anger Management, Bones, and the 2019 miniseries Reckoning. She also made an appearance as Rona on a 2024 episode of Tracker. In essence, Gloria Garayua has been consistently active in various television productions.

In season six, Nora became the unfortunate victim when Gary Clark, armed with a gun, went to the hospital with the intention of killing Derek. Tragically, she lost her life instantly after being shot fatally in the head by Clark.

Nora Zehetner made guest appearances on Mad Men following her departure from Grey’s Anatomy, and more recently played key roles in Designated Survivor and the series The Right Stuff. In 2025, she took on the character of Melissa in Grosse Point Garden Society.

During the filming of season six, Percy unfortunately met his end, unlike Mandy Moore’s character who survived. However, Percy’s death was prolonged because he became trapped with a patient and Bailey in a room, and was shot at point-blank range. Despite Bailey’s valiant efforts to save him, their predicament worsened when the elevators malfunctioned during the evacuation, ultimately sealing Percy’s fate.

Since then, Robert Baker has been thriving, making appearances on shows like Riverdale, Modern Family, The Originals, and more recently, as Otis Graves on Supergirl. In the year 2025, he re-entered the medical field, guest starring in an episode of St. Denis Medical.

OBGYN Lucy seemingly took a remarkable job opportunity in Africa, bypassing Alex, partially due to the fact that Alex had not discussed his potential move to Africa with her. Consequently, Lucy relocated to Africa and communication ceased following season seven.

Currently, Rachael Taylor is primarily recognized for her role as Jessica Jones’ friend Trish on Netflix’s series, “Jessica Jones,” and as part of “The Defenders.” Additionally, she made an appearance in a 2024 episode of “Hacks.

Initially portrayed as Derek’s bitter ex-wife, Addison eventually won over viewers with her own spinoff series. She was last seen as a recurring character on Grey’s Anatomy during the somewhat debated musical episode in season seven, where she played a crucial role in saving Callie after her car accident. Additionally, she made appearances in the 2012 episode where Meredith envisioned her mother being alive and married to Richard, while Derek and Addison were still unhappy together. She returned again for an extended storyline in 2023.

She ended Private Practice married to Jake (Benjamin Bratt) with a son, Henry. 

She subsequently featured in “Fargo”, starred in the brief-lived series “Bad Judge”, played a mourning mother in “13 Reasons Why”, and contributed to the apocalypse in “The Umbrella Academy”. Currently, she is on the 2020 series “Emily in Paris” and made an appearance in a 2025 episode of “Optics”.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, Lexie, Meredith’s vivacious half-sister, met an untimely end in one of the most emotional storylines the show has known – the tragic plane crash. Tragically, she didn’t survive and failed to reach Seattle Grace Hospital alive, having been crushed by debris from the plane while her beloved Mark Sloan mourned her loss. During Meredith’s coma due to COVID-19, Lexie and Mark reappeared, hinting at a reunion between them in the afterlife.

Actress Chyler Leigh first appeared in the amusingly titled show “Taxi Brooklyn,” later transitioning to play the tough character Alex Danvers on “Supergirl.” Since 2023, she has been featured as Kat Landry in Hallmark’s series “The Way Home.

In the eighth season, Mark, who was often called McSteamy, didn’t die instantly in the plane crash, but he eventually succumbed to his injuries at the hospital a few days later. The severity of his wounds proved fatal. Interestingly, the hospital where he was treated has been renamed in memory of both him and Lexie, following the decision made by the survivors of the plane crash, who had pooled their lawsuit winnings for this purpose. During Meredith’s coma, Mark and Lexie were seen visiting her, which subtly suggested that the couple found each other again beyond death.

Eric Dane departed from the show to take on a leading role in TNT’s “The Last Ship,” which concluded after five seasons in November 2018. At present, he can be seen acting alongside Zendaya in HBO’s series “Euphoria.” The upcoming season three of this show is eagerly anticipated.

In April 2025, the actor publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a condition commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

In Season Nine, you might recall the OGYN resident that Jo dated. Their relationship ended violently when he discovered secrets she had kept from him, leading to a physical altercation. This incident resulted in Jason sustaining injuries after falling and hitting his head in the hospital. Alex persuaded him not to press charges against Jo, but since then, he hasn’t been seen again.

After his initial role, Charles Michael Davis took on starring positions in “The Originals” on The CW, followed by “Younger” on TV Land, then “For the People” on ABC and “Chicago P.D.” on NBC. More recently, he made an appearance in a 2022 episode of “Legacies”.

In the tenth season, the quirky intern named Heather tragically passed away during a massive storm. Her unfortunate demise occurred when she tried to assist Richard Webber, but ended up being electrocuted.

Tina Majorino most recently appeared on CBS’ Scorpion and an episode of The Good Doctor.

In the series, Dr. Herman transformed into an excessively rigorous guide in fetal surgery for Dr. Herman in Arizona. However, she appeared much more reasonable to Arizona once she discovered about Nicole’s large, incurable brain tumor. Amelia successfully removed the tumor, but eventually, Dr. Herman lost her vision and departed during season 11. Nevertheless, she came back in season 14 to assist Arizona in leaving the show by providing grant money to establish a center for women’s health in New York.

In 2016, Geena Davis appeared in the Fox series “The Exorcist”, which marked her temporary departure from “Grey’s”. More recently, she has taken on recurring roles in Netflix’s “GLOW” and the animated reboot of “She-Ra”. Nowadays, she primarily focuses on production work, serving as an executive producer for “Mission Unstoppable With Miranda Cosgrove”.

After the plane crash, Cristina Yang experienced a very difficult period and it took quite some time for her to completely heal. Later on, she found out that she could never win the Harper Avery award while working at that particular hospital, which made her realize she might need to move on. Her former love, Preston Burke, then invited her to Zurich to manage a state-of-the-art hospital he had established, allowing him to retire with his family. In season 10, she eventually said goodbye after sharing one last dance with Meredith.

At present, Sandra Oh is making a significant impact in television, with her leading role as Eve in the highly praised BBC America series “Killing Eve,” for which she received a Golden Globe. Similarly to Geena Davis, she also appears regularly on Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power.” Additionally, she contributes her voice to a character within Robert Kirkman’s animated show, “Invincible.

Originally, Shane was an overconfident intern who almost burned out from excessive work, but he became close with Cristina and requested to accompany her to Zurich, a move that he ultimately made.

Gaius Charles, famously recognized as Smash Williams from Friday Night Lights, has also been seen in television series such as Aquarius and Taken. More recently, he made an appearance on The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Derek Shepherd experienced some tough times during a few seasons, as he accepted a position working under President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., and attempted to convince Meredith and his family to relocate with him. However, she declined, leading them to live separately for a while. Eventually, he decided to rectify the situation by returning home to perform the job remotely.

In much the same way that he and Mer found happiness once more in season 11, he found himself on a mission to wrap up some outstanding matters when he stumbled upon a catastrophic car crash. He dedicated countless hours caring for the injured victims, but unfortunately, as soon as he got back into his own vehicle, he was struck by a truck. The medical team at the hospital where an ambulance transported him were not equipped to handle trauma and neglected to perform a head CT scan, resulting in his untimely demise.

Patrick Dempsey explained that he decided to step away from the series due to the challenge of maintaining captivating storylines and his desire for additional time with his loved ones. Following his departure from Grey’s, he has appeared in films such as Bridget Jones’ Baby, The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair miniseries, the show Devils, and commercials that reference his former role as a television doctor. Currently, Dempsey is featuring in Dexter: Original Sin.

He shockingly returned to Grey’s for a series of dream sequences in season 17.

Leah Murphy, the unfortunate resident, faced numerous trials before being let go during season 10 due to her not having the necessary skills for a surgeon. However, unexpectedly, she reappeared in season 13 to collaborate with Maggie. A few episodes later, equally suddenly, she disappeared again.

In 2019, Tessa Ferrer was part of the Hulu adaptation of the World War II miniseries “Catch-22,” alongside George Clooney, and she appeared in the movie “Grotesquerie” in 2024.

As a dedicated follower, I, Callie, bid farewell to Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital when my girlfriend Penny, who was somewhat embroiled in controversy, secured an enticing fellowship in New York. Initially, I planned to remain in Seattle following the heart-wrenching custody battle I lost against Arizona. However, Arizona experienced a change of heart, and at the conclusion of season 12, she helped me embark on a new journey with Sofia by my side.

Sara Ramirez decided to move on to a new role in CBS’ “Madame Secretary.” Since then, they have portrayed the controversial character Che Diaz in HBO’s spinoff of “Sex and the City,” titled “And Just Like That.” In 2024, they lent their voice to Amber in the animated series “Velma.

Penelope’s tenure at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital was challenging right from the outset. As Callie’s new girlfriend, she carried a controversial past, having been one of the doctors implicated in Derek’s death. To make matters worse, she had to deal with Meredith’s grumpiness throughout her stay. Matters escalated when Penelope secured an esteemed position in New York City and Callie chose to join her, igniting a bitter custody dispute between Callie and Arizona. It was later revealed that they had parted ways, which led to Arizona relocating to New York. Unfortunately, their relationship never stood a chance of success.

Samantha Sloyan continued her acting career with a role in The Haunting of Hill House as Leigh. She also made appearances on SEAL Team, The Rookie, and more recently, she returned to the medical field by joining the cast of The Pitt in 2025.

In Season 13, Minnick assumed Richard Webber’s role in training the residents, but her strict adherence to rules and disregard for personal relationships led to widespread dislike, even causing Meredith to face suspension. Her excessive focus on protocol resulted in her failing to inform the police that a resident was missing during a fire, which nearly cost Stephanie’s life.

Later on, Marika Dominczyk became part of the cast of ABC’s short-lived series “Whiskey Cavalier,” starring alongside her husband and former “Grey’s Anatomy” actor, Scott Foley.

At the conclusion of season 13, Stephanie opted for an adventure to try something fresh, having narrowly escaped a fire ordeal after enduring several months of fatigue and mourning the loss of her boyfriend Kyle, who was portrayed by Wilmer Valderrama.

Jerrika Hinton continued her acting career by taking on roles in various productions. In the year 2018, she featured in the brief HBO series titled “Here and Now.” Additionally, she became a part of the Amazon series “Hunters,” portraying a character who hunts Nazis. Then, in the year 2024, she was cast as Lycia in the production named “The Accused.

In the early stages of season 14, Nathan decided to part ways with Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital because his long-cherished dream finally materialized: his fiancee, Megan Hunt, who had been held captive for a decade, returned. As a result of this reunion, they relocated to Los Angeles, taking along the child Megan had adopted during her time abroad. This development unfortunately marked the end of Nathan’s growing bond with Meredith, but it provided a heartwarming conclusion to Riggs’ storyline.

Martin Henderson, interestingly known for being in Britney Spears’ music video for “Toxic”, continued his acting career in the TV series ‘Virgin River’, up until 2024.

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2025-06-17 00:48