Grey’s Anatomy Creator Shonda Rhimes Feared Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington’s Fight Would ‘Kill the Show’

Shonda Rhimes, a writer for Grey’s Anatomy, has shared insights into the well-known conflict that occurred between Patrick Dempsey and Isaiah Washington during their time working together on the medical series.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the writer-producer expressed her astonishment at how vividly the cast members still remember the past argument among their colleagues. She asserted that whenever she interacts with anyone on set, they always seem to have something to say about the heated dispute between fellow actors.

During an interview with a media outlet, the producer expressed her worry that the show might be canceled due to the conflict on set. Rhimes clarified by saying, “I think the problem was when the bubble of happiness burst so early for Grey’s [due to the Washington incident].” She further explained, “We didn’t have anyone willing to help us handle it, which significantly impacted how we viewed the world moving forward.

Regarding the incident, it was reported by CBS News that Washington allegedly used offensive and derogatory language towards Dempsey back in 2007. Subsequently, he issued an apology statement addressed to the actor in the public domain.

Unfortunately, Isaiah’s contract with the show wasn’t extended beyond its current term, leading to his character being written off in 2008.

Moreover, the disagreement among the actors was not the sole instance of drama that producers and the broadcasting channel needed to manage.

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Beyond the actor’s feud, there were other dramatic situations that the creators and broadcasters had to address.

In 2008, Katherine Heigi, a frequent cast member, unexpectedly left the show, citing insufficient high-quality content as her reason for departing. Shonda Rhimes, who had been connected with the series for a considerable period of time, acknowledged that she needed to adapt her writer’s perspective and later her role as a showrunner after being involved with the series for such a prolonged duration.

Grey’s Anatomy is currently in its 21st season and is available to stream on ABC Network.

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2025-03-21 08:07