Grey’s Anatomy Shocker: Sandra Oh Secretly Fought to Bring Isaiah Washington Back!

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Sandra Oh knew Dr. Cristina Yang deserved a perfect ending. 

Approximately a decade following Isaiah Washington‘s return to Grey’s Anatomy in 2014 as mentor and ex-doctor Dr. Preston Burke, assisting with the character’s exit, the actor—who had previously been dismissed from the show in 2007—revealed how his onscreen colleague arranged for his temporary return to the series.

In a post from April 23rd (on X, which used to be known as Twitter), Washington shared that Sandra Oh was instrumental in my decision to return in 2014. She wouldn’t let the show go on without my presence and she successfully fought for it. I hold a deep affection for Sandra Oh!

TopMob News has reached out to Oh regarding Washington’s post but has not yet heard back. 

In season 10, Cristina Oh departed from Grey’s permanently. Her character was enticed by her past love interest who proposed a cardiothoracic hospital in Switzerland as an incentive. During his return, he also confessed that loving her too much prevented them from being together. He stated that their relationship, which ended when Burke abandoned Cristina at the altar in season three, was “overwhelmingly intense.

It came as quite a shock to fans when Washington reappeared in the series, given that he was dismissed after an incident involving Patrick Dempsey on set back in 2006, where Dempsey portrayed Dr. Derek Shepherd.

As an ardent fan, I’ve always admired the captivating performances of the cast on “Grey’s Anatomy.” However, a shocking incident occurred behind the scenes that left me utterly dismayed. Rumors swirled about a heated argument between some of the actors, and it was alleged that a physical altercation ensued.

In this confrontation, it was whispered that my beloved idol, Patrick Dempsey (or as I knew him then, Derek Shepherd), hurled a homophobic slur at my cherished character, Dr. George O’Malley, portrayed by T.R. Knight. At the time, T.R. was bravely keeping his true identity as a gay man private.

Initially, Patrick denied using such offensive language, but later, he confessed and expressed remorse in a heartfelt statement to People magazine, as reported by Today. He apologized not only to T.R., but also to the fans like me who had supported them through their on-screen journey. This revelation left a deep impact on me, making me reflect on the importance of respect, understanding, and acceptance in our society.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the character portrayed by Oh was involved in a turbulent relationship with Dr. Owen Hunt, played by Kevin McKidd, before her exit. Although Oh has not explicitly discussed bringing back Washington, she has hinted at being ready to challenge the writers over Cristina’s narrative arc.

In a 2020 interview with Kerry Washington for Variety’s Actors on Actors, Oh shared that working on Grey’s Anatomy allowed her to have control over the character’s direction and maintain a strong bond with the writer. If something didn’t sit right, she wasn’t hesitant to confront Shonda and many of the writers, admitting it was a difficult but necessary process.

On the other hand, Oh’s most significant accomplishment throughout her 10-season stint on the series was her strong advocacy for Cristina’s character development. In her own words, “I didn’t surrender.

Fans who are eager for more of Cristina, an ex-star from Killing Eve, have reason to be hopeful since she has recently indicated a willingness to rejoin the series herself.

She recently expressed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly that she’s consistently declined the idea, and it’s simply something she can’t decide one way or another. However, she acknowledges the strong affection fans have held for this character over the last decade.

The 53-year-old hinted at a potential future for Cristina, commenting, “That’s the part that leaves me pondering, ‘Ah!'” or “That’s the part that gives me pause to say, ‘Interesting…'”.

In addition to Cristina and Burke, there were other romances on Grey’s Anatomy that were worth standing up for. Continue reading to discover more of the series’ most memorable relationships…

The foundational tale that captivated us was the romantic journey of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). From the initial episode, we discovered alongside Meredith that her casual encounter was with a doctor at Seattle Grace Hospital—where she began her surgical internship. Over the course of 11 seasons, we followed as they battled returning spouses (his), contemplated suicide (hers), and faced numerous life-endangering crises before eventually tying the knot…with a Post-It note. Regrettably, due to Dempsey’s departure from the series, their narrative—though not their love—was prematurely concluded when Shonda Rhimes chose to write off Derek in the only way she felt was fitting: by having him die in a car accident.

She is the sun, after all. 

Ah, the love story of Japril indeed holds a unique and poignant place in our hearts. It began under tumultuous circumstances – who could forget when April, portrayed by Sarah Drew, abandoned her fiancé at the altar to be with Jackson, played by Jesse Williams? Their journey was marked by highs and lows, including their elopement, discovering their unborn child had a fatal condition, leading to the stillbirth of their son, Samuel. They parted ways in season 11, but an unexpected encounter led to the birth of their daughter, Harriet, in season 12. By the time Sarah Drew left the series in season 14, she found herself back with her former lover Matthew, played by Justin Bruening. With Jackson’s blessings, they tied the knot impulsively.

In a turn of events, Grey’s Anatomy viewers got a glimmer of optimism when April reappeared in season 17. This was significant because she came back to help conclude Jackson’s storyline. Particularly, after Jackson chose to relocate to Boston to head the foundation focusing on racial equality, it was revealed that a newly single April decided to move to the east coast with their daughter Harriet – hinting at a potential reunion for these two characters in the future.

In the final episode of season 18, it was made official by the creators of Grey’s Anatomy that Japril rekindled their romance, as they shared a kiss between the two characters who are doctors.

Absolutely, there was no denying the allure of Callie Torres, portrayed by Sara Ramirez, and her captivating romance with Arizona Robbins, played by Jessica Capshaw, from season five onwards. Even George couldn’t deny it! Their bond, fondly known as Calzona, was nothing short of extraordinary. They walked down the aisle, raised Sofia together, and navigated through Arizona’s leg amputation and infidelity. But alas, in season 11, they chose to part ways, leaving us all heartbroken.

In the world of television, it appeared that one of the most heartwarming same-sex love stories might end in sorrow when Ramirez departed from the series during season 12, leaving Callie to relocate with her new girlfriend Penny. However, as Capshaw’s character was written out at the conclusion of season 14, viewers began to harbor hope since a newly single Callie was preparing to embrace Arizona in New York City. (If only Ramirez had appeared in that episode…)

Reflect upon the unforgettable first heartbreaking doctor-patient connection on Grey’s Anatomy, when Izzie (Katherine Heigl) crossed paths with recurring guest star Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Denny Duquette in season two. From that moment on, Izzie was smitten by his charming gruffness – and so were we viewers.

When they got engaged, we sensed their relationship wouldn’t endure. Sadly, our suspicions were confirmed. His health took a turn for the worse, and she risked her career by intentionally severing his LVAD wire to expedite him on the donor list. He received a new heart, but suffered a stroke shortly afterward and passed away in the final episode of the season.

Though he passed away, his memory continued through Izzie receiving $8.7 million from him and establishing the Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic, a charitable hospital clinic. For us, listening to “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol has never felt quite the same, even after all these years.

Oh my goodness, you know, I’ve always been a die-hard Grey’s Anatomy fan, and let me tell you, Lexie (Chyler Leigh) and Mark “McSteamy” Sloan (Eric Dane) had their fair share of romances while treading the halls of Seattle Grace. But the relationship that truly mattered to both of them unfolded in season five, leaving us all on tenterhooks with its rollercoaster dynamics until they finally confessed their love for each other. Tragically, this bliss was short-lived, as they met their untimely end in the season eight finale, a plane crash that took them away from us forever. Rest In Peace.

In simpler terms, James Pickens Jr., who plays Chief Webber, and Kate Burton, portraying Ellis Grey, were married to other people when they became involved romantically. This passionate relationship caused significant disruption in Mer’s family life and ultimately resulted in the arrival of an unexpected child, Maggie Pierce, introduced in season 10, played by Kelly McCreary.

The romance between them was forbidden and destined not to endure, primarily due to Ellis’ battle with Alzheimer’s that claimed her life by the third season. Nevertheless, its influence permeated almost every aspect of their lives.

Izzie and Alex consistently supported each other during their respective heartaches caused by others. Their deepening connection could have blossomed into something significant, but Heigl chose to depart from the series at the end of season six following their wedding, leaving viewers with another disappointing “disappearing lover” plot twist similar to Burke’s vanishing (for more on that, read further).

Unbeknownst to us, Izzie’s care for Alex’s children (Justin Chambers) on a farm would eventually provide an exit from the series when Chambers suddenly departed from Grey’s Anatomy in early 2020, leaving fans astonished by the news that Izzie had been raising his kids. This was the only plausible reason for Alex to leave his wife without making him appear too monstrous.

As an ardent admirer, I must say, Cristina’s debut on this list was more triumphant than her subsequent entry (don’t worry, we’ll delve into Burke soon). Remarkably, this pair managed to walk the aisle, despite an incident where Owen (the outstanding Kevin McKidd), tormented by PTSD-induced nightmares, came dangerously close to strangling her in his slumber.

However, once she became pregnant and decided to terminate the pregnancy, he found it difficult to cope, ultimately leading to their separation. They ended up divorcing, and it seemed that Cristina’s deepest romantic connection might forever be with her profession. And guess what? That’s perfectly fine.

Though her initial marriage didn’t turn out well, it led Miranda Bailey, played by Chandra Wilson, to encounter an adorable anesthesiologist named Ben Warren (portrayed by Jason George). Despite his tendency to impulsively switch jobs (first as a surgeon, then a firefighter, and finally a surgical resident again), and her own heart attack, their union has endured. The challenges they faced due to Ben’s hazardous occupation—which was depicted in both Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff series Station 19—have put strain on the relationship, but we believe there isn’t anything these two can’t (or won’t) surmount together.

Following numerous ups and downs in their relationship, Alex might have finally found his match in Jo, another dedicated doctor (Camilla Luddington)). However, their journey to becoming husband and wife, a milestone that occurred only in the season 14 finale, was filled with challenges. They had to confront Jo’s traumatic past marital abuse and Alex’s brush with jail for assaulting a colleague. (It’s unfortunate that DeLuca suffered that beating, regardless of how it appeared when Alex entered the room!) )

After they got married and she adopted his surname, it seemed like a final chapter to many. Regrettably, Chambers’ surprising departure midway through season 16 demonstrated that we were mistaken.

In the sixth season, we first encountered Teddy Altman, portrayed by Kim Raver. Her narrative revolved around the enigmatic past she shared with Owen and its potential impact on his bond with Cristina. However, as the seasons progressed, she found herself ensnared in one of Grey’s Anatomy’s classic doctor-patient dramas following her romantic entanglement with Henry Burton, a recurring guest character played by Scott Foley. In a sudden turn of events, they hastily tied the knot to utilize her health insurance for his expensive medical treatments. Over time, their relationship evolved into something more deeply affectionate.

In the eighth season, unfortunately, his heart condition claimed him during surgery, leaving Teddy grief-stricken and jobless. Owen had dismissed her prior to this, understanding that she wouldn’t leave of her own accord.

With wife Lorette Devine (Adele) battling Alzheimer’s, husband Richard found himself in an awkward position when Catherine Avery (Debbie Allen), Jackson’s influential mother, showed interest. He politely declined her advances, as he valued his marriage and didn’t want to be unfaithful a second time.

However, Adele passed away due to illness in the ninth season, causing him to grow fond of Catherine. Their marriage commenced from the eleventh season and lasted until the sixteenth. It’s important to note that this is ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ we’re discussing, and they split up after Catherine’s aggressive maneuvers in response to Meredith’s insurance scheme at the end of season 15. Following this, there was a separation period. Richard experienced a near-death situation, but eventually, they reconciled.

Was the romantic journey between Owen and Derek’s sister Amelia (played by Caterina Scorsone) particularly grand? Yes, though this was mainly due to the constant challenges they faced and the scarcity of joy in their relationship. Their views on having children often clashed, a point of contention for Owen dating back to his time with Cristina. They navigated her relapses and brain tumor issues. They went through marriage and divorce.

Then, as Teddy was caring for a foster child along with his teenage mother struggling with drug addiction, he came back – this time, pregnant with Owen’s baby. Eventually, they decided to move on and live their lives separately, with Owen and Teddy attempting to make things work, albeit with difficulty, while Amelia embarked on her own family journey with the handsome new doctor, Link (portrayed by Chris Carmack).

Could it be that Dr. Nick Marsh (played by Scott Speedman) will become Meredith’s deep and lasting love? It appears that their relationship could blossom further. Initially captivating her in season 14, the transplant surgeon returned in season 18 to join forces with Meredith in Minnesota. What started as a brief romantic encounter between the two medical professionals has grown significantly.

Instead of saying “As in, he followed her and her kids to Boston and they bought a house together escalated,” you could rephrase it as:

“They moved to Boston with their children, purchased a home together, and their relationship deepened.”

Followed by:

“I hope she continues to select him, prefer him, cherish him.

As an ardent fan, I couldn’t help but eagerly cheer for Amelia and Dr. Kai Bartley. After a series of setbacks in her love life on Grey’s, from her divorce with Owen to turning down Link’s proposal, it seemed like Amelia had finally found a genuine connection with Kai (E.R. Fightmaster). Their shared passion for neuroscience not only brings them closer but also gives Kai the courage to challenge Amelia when she slips into self-destructive patterns. And trust me, Amelia has a knack for self-sabotage!

Ultimately, Kai’s preference against having kids and their long-distance situation resulted in them parting ways when Kai moved to London for work.

In the third season, Alex Karev experienced his first heart-wrenching love affair when an accident involving a ferryboat brought in pregnant Jane Doe, later identified as Ava (regularly appearing actress Elizabeth Reaser), who suffered from amnesia into the hospital. As their bond deepened, Alex assisted her in creating a new identity, choosing the name Ava for her. However, once she regained her memory following childbirth, she confessed that her real name was Rebecca Pope and she had fled a troubled marriage.

Following her reunion with her husband in season four, she disclosed to Alex that she was pregnant. Regrettably, when it was discovered the pregnancy wasn’t real but a result of a mental disorder, Rebecca attempted suicide. Realizing she required more assistance than he could offer, Alex was compelled to admit her into a psychiatric facility and bid her farewell.

In their second shared appearance on this list, Cristina Yang’s storyline with Preston Burke (played by Isaiah Washington) stands out primarily due to its conclusion. The relationship between these characters was a stark contrast to MerDer, as Burke displayed unkind behavior and his allowing Cristina to secretly perform surgeries for him after he was wounded was highly questionable, even unethical. To top it off, Burke became angry with her when she confessed? Absolutely not, friend.

Later, he abandoned her at the altar and vanished from her life completely, a decision likely prompted by Washington’s infamous dismissal due to his inappropriate conduct towards co-star T.R. Knight. Farewell and good riddance. When he resurfaced in season 10, attempting to give Cristina a hospital in Switzerland (as a gesture to send Oh away), it was the absolute minimum he could have done, given our feelings towards Burke. Is it evident that we don’t care for Burke?

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2025-04-25 20:18