When a show has been on the air as long as Grey’s Anatomy, the cast and crew are bound to stir up some drama over the years. For those who haven’t been tuning in every Thursday night for the last two decades-plus, Grey’s Anatomy is, in fact, still on the air and is currently in the middle of season 21. That’s 21 seasons filled with medical emergencies and all the dramatic moments that go with them.
With that length of time on air, you're almost guaranteed some behind-the-scenes chaos. The lore that surrounds Grey’s Anatomy is as deep as the fissures within its cast. While many shows face tension, the situation surrounding Grey’s is notably tumultuous. The series has been plagued with professional jealousy, physical confrontations, sudden firings, and ongoing controversies. Today, we take a closer look at the notable cast feuds that have unfolded over the years.
Katherine Heigl’s Feud
Katherine Heigl’s conflicts were notably public. In 2007, she won an Emmy for her role as Dr. Izzie Stevens, only to express dissatisfaction with her time on the show the following year. In 2008, she withdrew her name from Emmy consideration, feeling she was not “given the material this season to warrant an Emmy nomination.” This decision did not sit well with creator Shonda Rhimes, who described her actions as shady.
Heigl continued to air her grievances during a 2009 appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman, where she characterized the demanding workdays on set as “cruel and mean.” After several difficult seasons, she requested to be let out of her contract in 2010. Recalling those tumultuous years in a 2022 interview with The Washington Post, Heigl reflected, “At the time, I was just quickly told to shut the fuck up. The more I said I was sorry, the more they wanted it.”
Isaiah Washington’s Feud
Isaiah Washington, who portrayed Dr. Preston Burke, was involved in one of the program's most serious controversies. On October 9, 2006, tensions escalated into a physical altercation between him and co-star Patrick Dempsey. The fight reportedly erupted over Dempsey being late for work, with Washington allegedly pushing him and using a homophobic slur against fellow actor T.R. Knight.
The incident made headlines and ultimately led to Washington’s termination from the show when, during the Golden Globes in 2007, he denied using the slur and repeated it, putting him back in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. The fallout was severe, with Shonda Rhimes admitting that she feared it might “kill the show.”
T.R. Knight’s Exit
Meanwhile, T.R. Knight, known for his role as Dr. George O’Malley, faced his own struggles on set. He left Grey's Anatomy at the end of season 5, citing a “breakdown of communication” with Rhimes. “My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given,” Knight stated, his exit becoming part of the show's complex backstory.
Patrick Dempsey’s Turbulent Dynamics
Former heartthrob Patrick Dempsey's departure from the show was dramatic in more ways than one. As it turns out, he was known for “terrorizing the set” towards the end of his time, causing many cast members to experience significant stress. Rhimes noted that it was difficult for the cast given the dynamics of power and workload between the lead characters.
One of these tensions was with Ellen Pompeo, who played Dr. Meredith Grey. According to co-executive producer Jeannine Renshaw, Pompeo felt frustrated that Dempsey would complain about his workload when she consistently had to carry heavier scenes. She succeeded in having him cut from the series by season 11.
Ellen Pompeo’s Pay Disparity Insights
In a recent interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Ellen Pompeo opened up about feelings of resentment regarding the disparity in her pay compared to Dempsey’s. She recalled feeling "salty" about the perceived lack of recognition for her contribution to the show, stating, "I deserved the same pay as Patrick Dempsey, given I was the namesake of the show."
Pompeo has dedicated 20 years of her life to the television series, becoming synonymous with its success. She encouraged women in the industry to advocate for better representation and conditions in the workplace, expressing that she is well aware of the financial success Grey’s Anatomy has brought to ABC Disney.
“I know the show has generated this much money,” she said. “I definitely deserve a percentage of that, and you can do the same.”
A Legacy of Drama
The behind-the-scenes feuds at Grey’s Anatomy illustrate the complex dynamics of fame and performance in Hollywood. As it continues into its 21st season, the show is plagued with a legacy of conflict that impacts its narrative and the stars associated with it. It raises questions over how personal challenges and workplace dynamics can shape a production as beloved as Grey’s Anatomy.
