'Grey's Anatomy' Season 1 Episode 1: Where are the actors now?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It is time to bid Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey goodbye after the first episode of the second part of Season 19 airs on ABC. While some fans are probably going to blast the iconic song of Snow Patrol, 'Chasing Cars' which has been featured on numerous occasions, often in the key moments on 'Grey's Anatomy,' others will be busy revisiting the first episode of the first season of this iconic medical drama series.The series revolved around Ellen Pompeo's character, Dr. Meredith Grey, until halfway through its 19th season, after which it is has shifted to a more ensemble format. Safe to say, Dr. Grey's journey has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride, and a wild one at that.
The original cast consisted of nine star-billed actors: Pompeo, Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Justin Chambers, T. R. Knight, Chandra Wilson, James Pickens Jr., Isaiah Washington, and Patrick Dempsey. The cast has undergone major changes throughout the series' run. As we are bidding goodbye to the main character of the medical drama series, let's take a look at where are all the OG cast members at now.
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'Grey's Anatomy' Season 19: Who is the last OG surgical intern of the 2005 batch to leave the show?
In the first episode, 'A Hard Day's Night' we were introduced to Ellen Pompeo and her fellow physicians Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) and George O'Malley (T. R. Knight), who each struggle to balance their personal lives with hectic schedules and stressful residency requirements. During their internship, they are overseen by Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson), a senior resident, who works with attending physicians Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), head of neurosurgery and Meredith's love interest, and Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington), head of cardiothoracic surgery, who later becomes Yang's fiance. Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.), is seen as the Chief of Surgery and attending general surgeon. Read more to find out what these amazing actors are doing now.
1) Isaiah Washington
After leaving the series in Season 3, Isaiah Washington played Chancellor Thelonious Jaha on 'The 100'. However, in recent times the actor hosted Fox Nation's 'Isaiah Washington: Kitchen Talk,' a traveling kitchen show. In a Fox press release, Washington was most excited about the role because it enabled him to show people "who I am, as opposed to a character that they lost, for whatever reason, and let[ting] me get to the heart of what people are thinking." The star went on to say that he doesn't want to be known exclusively for his stint on 'Grey's Anatomy'.
2) Katherine Heigl
One of the OG surgical interns who was filled with empathy was Katherine Heigl's Izzie Stevens. Heigl made her final series regular appearance as Izzie in the sixth season, leaving Seattle after Alex refused to resume their marriage. The actress requested to be released from her contract 18 months early, in order to spend more time with her family. As of now, Heigl is busy being a BFF on Netflix's 'Firefly Lane' which she executively produces.
3) T. R. Knight
We know you have been waiting on this one. The fan favorite, George O'Malley was the sweetest amongst the lot. In 2009, after the conclusion of the fifth season, it was confirmed that T. R. Knight would not be returning for the show's sixth season. The actor stated the reason for his departure was due to a "breakdown in communication" with Rhimes, his character's lack of screen-time, as well as his decision to come out as gay. Regardless, it was recently revealed that the 'Grey’s Anatomy' and 'The Flight Attendant' alum, T.R. Knight has joined the cast of HBO's indie drama 'Sydney Vs. Sean.'
4) Sandra Oh
Oh lord! How can one forget about one of the twisted sisters? Dr. Cristina Yang and her friendship with Meredith was considered to be "the secret-core of Grey's". Oh was mesmerizing as her character was noted for her competitiveness, ambition, and intelligence which were actually her main traits, while her aggressive and tactless attitude was highlighted as her main weakness. Oh left the show after season 10, and her character Cristina Yang was written out of the storyline as a main cast member. In spite of all that, Oh has done extremely well for herself and has recently voiced in big animated projects like, 'Over the Moon,' 'Raya and the Last Dragon,' and lastly, 'Turning Red'.
5) Patrick Dempsey
Here we are with, Dr. McDreamy. made his first appearance in the pilot episode, 'A Hard Day's Night,' and ever since we saw the trajectory of his and Meredith relationship which got every fans feeling the butterflies in their tummy. Patrick was killed off in a fatal car accident in Season 11, however the star still makes cameos in dream sequences. Following his departure from 'Grey's Anatomy,' Dempsey was working on two small-screen projects: a drama 'The Limit' for SundanceTV and a travelogue spy thriller called 'Fodors'. Furthermore, Dempsey was also seen reprising his role in the 'Enchanted' sequel, 'Disenchanted'.
6) Chandra Wilson
Remember the 'Nazi'? She was introduced as a resident in general surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital, Bailey works her way up to the attending physician level, and is eventually named Chief of Surgery. It is also considered that after Pompeo, Wilson's Bailey is the most appearing character in the 'Grey's Anatomy' franchise. Nonetheless, she has also appeared on 'General Hospital' as Dr. Linda Massey.
7) Justin Chambers
Let's be real everyone hated Justin Chambers' Alex Karev at the start, regardless, Karev made his way to our hearts and his departure was one of the hardest. In the sixteenth season, Alex leaves the hospital to be with Izzie Stevens and their children making his final appearance in the season 16 episode 'Leave a Light On.' Recently, Justin Chambers, who played Dr. Alex Karev on the first 16 seasons of the beloved medical drama from 2005 to 2020, had fans' heart rates recently after teasing a potential return. Chambers posted a photo of a cup of coffee with a sleeve featuring the images of Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) and Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson). It is safe to assume, he is back to square one.
8) James Pickens Jr.
James Pickens Jr.'s Dr. Webber has been a comforting character for many fans. He has been a fatherly figure to Mer and has been the backbone of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Apart from being a series regular in ABC's medical drama, the actor has also starred in 'The Conners,' recently.
9) Ellen Pompeo
We have saved the best for the last. As we know after the upcoming episode we will no longer see Ellen Pompeo's Meredith Grey in the series so it is fair to speculate what will Ellen Pompeo do? She's just finished an eight-episode series for Hulu, which is yet to have a title, and has confessed that after starring in 19 seasons she will also enjoy her free time.
Nevertheless, gear up for Season 19's upcoming episode, 'I'll Follow the Sun' which will air on February 23, 2023.