It’s been almost two decades since Grey’s Anatomy debuted and set the bar for a medical drama that features well-rounded characters and emotionally-charged plot twists.
Grey’s Anatomy follows the complex lives of surgical interns, residents, and attendings at the Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital (formerly Seattle Grace Hospital).
The long-running series has aired 19 seasons and launched the careers of some young actors in Hollywood – but one such star struggled to find work afterwards due to rumours about being “difficult” to work with that have followed them for more than 10 years.
And now, more than a decade after they left the show amid speculation of on-set feuds, this actor has reunited with their former castmates and publicly put the bad blood to bed.
Another actor is set to reunite with the cast for Season 20 after leaving the show six years ago.
Read on to see what the stars of Season 1 are up to now, and who’s been reuniting with their former castmates in recent weeks.
Jessica Capshaw to return as Arizona Robbins
American prime-time’s longest-running TV medical drama is gearing up for its 20th season in March 2024, and at least one familiar face will be back in the hallways of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Grey’s Anatomy will welcome back Jessica Capshaw as Dr. Arizona Robbins when it returns for its landmark season, ABC announced at its Television Critics Association’s winter press tour day in early February.
Capshaw had previously appeared as fan-favorite Arizona in 10 seasons of the show, acting in more than 220 episodes before hanging up her scrubs in 2018.
Her character, a pediatric surgeon, was at one point half of one of TV’s most beloved couples, opposite Sara Ramirez (more recently of And Just Like That…) as Callie Torres.
Like so many romances on Grey’s, it wasn’t a smooth ride, but it did have a seemingly happy conclusion. In Season 14, upon Capshaw’s decision to leave the series, her character relocated to be closer to her ex and their daughter, building hopes for an off-screen reconciliation.
Arizona’s return – sans her one-time partner – will spark speculation about the status of that relationship.
Another character returning to the beloved series is Dr. Nico Kim, played by Alex Landi, who previously appeared in over 40 episodes between 2018 and 2022.
New faces on the show will include Natalie Morales, of Dead to Me, Parks and Recreation and No Hard Feelings fame, who will play pediatric surgeon Monica Beltran, according to ABC’s announcement.
Grey’s Anatomy is set to return in March. Read on to see where all of the original cast is now.
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey: Then
The star of the show!
Ellen Pompeo played Dr. Meredith Grey, a young intern who moved up the ranks at Seattle Grace Hospital.
Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey: Now
In her 19 seasons over 18 years as the lead character on the show, Pompeo found the time to start her own production company, and directed multiple episodes of Grey’s.
After Patrick Dempsey’s departure, she became the highest-paid actor on the show, and in 2018 Forbes named Pompeo the third highest-paid actress in the world.
Pompeo’s last episode of the show, however, aired on February 23, 2023, after she confirmed she was leaving the show in a heartfelt message to fans on social media in November 2022.
She has, however, recently reunited with her co-stars…
Joined by Chandra Wilson, Justin Chambers, Katherine Heigl and James Pickens, the cast of Grey’s Anatomy reflected on the unexpected success of their show.
During the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards, Pompeo said on-stage, “When the first episode of Grey’s Anatomy aired in March 2005, I’m not sure Shonda Rhimes knew that she had created a show that will have a lasting influence on television and create lifelong friendships.”
One of the stronger friendships to blossom from the show was between Heigl and Pompeo – but that was plagued with feud rumours for almost a decade.
In fact, Heigl’s appearance on stage at the delayed 2023 Emmys was monumental, as she publicly lashed the show at the very same awards ceremony years before, which sparked her ‘disappearance’ from Hollywood…
Both Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl (pictured here with Kate Walsh in 2007) joined the Grey’s Anatomy cast in the show’s first season, and stayed on for multiple seasons afterwards.
Pompeo, 54, notably only departed the show officially in February 2023 after 18 years as its lead, but Heigl, 45, left in 2010 – and speculation for years afterwards was that the latter’s departure wasn’t on good terms, particularly when it came out that she withdrew her name from Emmy contention in 2008 as she didn’t feel like she had gotten good enough scenes on Grey’s Anatomy to work with.
And in 2023, Heigl addressed the controversy in-depth for the first time.
“I was so naïve. I got on my soapbox and I had some things to say, and I felt really passionate about this stuff,” Heigl said during an appearance with Pompeo on Variety‘s ‘Actors on Actors’ series.
“I felt really strongly. I felt so strongly that I also got a megaphone out on my soapbox. There was no part of me that imagined a bad reaction.”
Heigl said she “felt really justified” when it came to her feelings and perspective, and she’d spent “most of her life” in “people-pleasing mode”, which made it difficult to cope with the backlash.
“It’s really disconcerting when you feel like you have really displeased everybody,” Heigl said.
“It was not my intention to do so, but I had some things to say, and I didn’t think I was going to get such a strong reaction.”
Heigl, who was in her late 20s at the time, said it took her years to stop feeling “shame” after believing the narrative she was a bad, ungrateful, unprofessional, difficult for so long.
Pompeo listened as Heigl recounted the impact the controversy had on her, before offering an in-depth response.
“You were just a little ahead of your time, lady,” Pompeo, pictured here with Heigl in the Variety cover released in June 2023, joked in response to Heigl’s comments, and referenced the creation of Twitter.
Heigl said that because she starred on a hit show, she then started to feel “a false sense of confidence” about getting “mouthy” when it came to “certain boundaries [she] was not OK with being crossed” that she “didn’t know how to fight”.
Pompeo, however, defended Heigl, and said she felt Heigl had been put in a difficult position.
“But also, can I mention the incredible amount of attention that you got very quickly is another thing that is like a disease in this town,” Pompeo said.
“Everybody gets built up, built up, built up, built up. They create this thing, and then almost wait for something to happen.”
Pompeo said: “As an outsider looking in, I saw a lot around you that wasn’t anything to do with you, or your fault. Not many people would know how to react to that much attention, that much focus, that much pressure. Who can be the most gracious, perfect person when all that’s … Certainly, some people are capable of it. OK, Zendaya is capable of it.”
As the duo’s lengthy conversation was released, both Heigl and Pompeo took to social media with messages of support for each other.
“I was so thrilled to be asked to participate in [Variety‘s] Actors On Actors, if for no other reason than to get to see my beautiful friend and catch up!”, Heigl wrote on Instagram.
“So many memories we share, this woman is such a big and extraordinary part…of such a big and extraordinary part of my life. I just adore you, [Pompeo], and I’m so grateful we got to have this conversation together.”
Pompeo, meanwhile, simply wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for having us [Variety] love you Katie ❤️”
Read on to see what else has been happening with the Season 1 cast in recent years, and click here to read about what happened to Katherine Heigl.
Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens: Then
Katherine Heigl starred as the model-turned-doctor Dr. Izzie Stevens for six mega-seasons.
Katherine Heigl as Izzie Stevens: Now
After Grey’s, Heigl landed three leading film roles: 27 Dresses (2008), The Ugly Truth (2009), and Life As We Know It (2010).
She also starred in two short-lived series, State of Affairs and Doubt. She most also joined the cast of Suits in 2019.
Heigl also starred on the Netflix series, Firefly Lane. It was a commercial hit for Heigl, with the first season clocking 26.2 million viewings.
Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke: Then
Isaiah Washington played the brainy head of cardiothoracic surgery, who becomes Yang’s fiancé.
He had a stern but considered approach to his high position, and left his post after Yang seemed too reluctant to marry him.
After being dropped from the show for allegedly directing a homphobic slur at co-star T.R. Knight, who is gay, Washington went on to star in Blue Bloods, and The 100.
His acting career, however, seemingly didn’t last much longer.
Isaiah Washington as Preston Burke: Now
Washington, 59, in a blistering and lengthy Twitter
rant shared in March 2023, announced his early retirement from acting and blamed the “haters” for it.
“It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today,” Washington’s statement began.
“Those who have been Following/Witnessing my journey here on Twatter [sic] since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won.
“I’m no longer interested in the back and forth regarding a ‘[colour] construct’ that keeps us human beings divided nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic.
“I will be traveling this great country before it falls into Socialism and then Communism.
“Until then, know that this Frederick Douglass Conservative will keep his powder dry and loves you all! I am truly grateful for your support over the years. It looks like [Corsicana] may be the last time you see me as an Actor born here in America. Just know that I will be posting a few pictures of my retirement shenanigans here and there, but until then. Be safe out there. Your loved ones love you and need you. SALUTE! 🤙🏾”
Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd: Then
Patrick Dempsey played the talented Derek Shepherd, who was Meredith Grey’s love interest for the duration of his time on the show.
“I’m very grateful for Grey’s Anatomy,” Dempsey told People. “It’s given me the opportunity to do everything. But at the same time, there was a cost.”
Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd: Now
After playing Derek Shepherd, Dempsey starred in the hit rom-com, Bridget Jones’s Baby and the TV series’ The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair.
Dempsey surprised fans when he returned to Season 17 of Grey’s in Meredith’s dream.
He most recently starred as Dominic Morgan in the hit series Devils.
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang: Then
Sandra Oh starred as the highly skilled Dr. Cristina Yang, and Meredith Grey’s best friend, until Season 10.
She had a natural aptitude for surgery, and distant bedside manner.
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang: Now
After Grey’s, she co-hosted the Golden Globes and won a Golden Globe for her performance as Eve Polastri on the series Killing Eve.
Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey: Then
Chandra Wilson was cast as Dr. Miranda Bailey, the general surgery resident who was the glue that kept the group of doctors together.
Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey: Now
Wilson has continued to star on Grey’s and is expected to appear in its current season.
The actress scored Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a drama series for her role as Miranda Bailey in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009.
Justin Chambers as Alex Karev: Then
Justin Chambers played the mysterious and handsome Dr. Alex Karev on Grey’s Anatomy for 16 seasons.
Justin Chambers as Alex Karev: Now
Chambers made his final appearance on Grey’s Anatomy in its 300th episode.
In a statement announcing his departure, Chambers said it was time to “diversify my acting roles.”
Chambers is married to Keisha Chambers and they share five children.
James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber: Then
Pickens was the first chief of surgery at Seattle Grace, Dr. Richard Webber.
Webber lead the surgical team through many ups and downs.
James Pickens Jr. as Richard Webber: Now
Pickens has remained a series regular on Grey’s. His character moved on from being chief of surgery but continued to be a presence at the hospital.
T.R. Knight as George O’Malley: Then
For the first five seasons of Grey’s, T.R. Knight played Dr. George O’Malley.
Knight seemed to have problems with the direction the show was heading in, and his character was eventually killed off.
“My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given,” Knight told CNN at the time. “And with respect, I’m going to leave it at that.”
T.R. Knight as George O’Malley: Now
Knight has enjoyed a successful TV career, with parts on The Good Wife, The Catch, Genius and The Bravest Knight.
Knight famously returned to Grey’s in a series of flashbacks and hallucinations that Meredith had.
He most recently starred in the series The Flight Attendant.
Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery: Then
Kate Walsh surprised Meredith Grey’s character when she showed up at the end of the first season of Grey’s Anatomy as Addison Montgomery, Derek Shepherd’s wife.
Addison was the neonatal surgeon who couldn’t help but getting emotionally involved with her patients.
Kate Walsh as Addison Montgomery: Now
After three seasons of Grey’s, Walsh scored the lead role in the spin-off medical drama Private Practice.
Private Practice was on for six seasons, between 2007 to 2013.
Walsh more recently starred in 13 Reasons Why, The Umbrella Academy and Emily in Paris.
She’s also since returned to the show as a guest star, and most recently got engaged to an Aussie farmer.
