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Grey’s Anatomy: Sarah Paulson’s Guest Role, Explained - Greysanatomy Fans
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Grey’s Anatomy: Sarah Paulson’s Guest Role, Explained

While Sarah Paulson is beloved for playing real and fictional characters alike, one of her more underrated ones is her role on Grey’s Anatomy. Along with Sarah Chalke, Jesse Plemons, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, and Wilmer Valderrama, these were some of the best guest stars who left a lasting impression on the show as they played either patients, professionals who are helping with a crisis, or a family member of a loved one who is experiencing a health scare.

Paulson has mostly appeared in horror projects throughout her career, which makes her Grey’s Anatomy role stand out. Paulson was cast on American Horror Story and has starred in each season except for season 9 AHS: 1984. She is known for serious characters, from Nurse Ratched on Ratched to Diane Sherman, a mother who pretends her child is sick, in the 2020 Hulu film Run. The actor also received acclaim for her pitch-perfect portrayal of Marcia Clark on The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story. Her turn on Grey’s Anatomy is softer than these other roles and she plays a meaningful character.

Sarah Paulson Played A Young Ellis Grey In Season 6

Ellis Grey and Richard Webber younger on Grey's Anatomy

Sarah Paulson played a young Ellis Grey in season 6, episode 15, “The Time Warp.” Richard Webber (James Pickens Jr.) reflects on a case that he and Ellis worked on in 1982 when a patient named Philip Nichols (Ian Jensen) came into the hospital with AIDs, which was called GRID at the time. Ellis is one of Meredith Grey’s (Ellen Pompeo) most unlikable relatives, as she is known to be a brilliant surgeon but is cold toward her daughter. However, Paulson’s Ellis shows a different, more compassionate side than usual, as she pushes up against her superior’s belief that Philip can’t be helped.

Richard’s memories are sad, as Philip passed away after surgery, and while Richard and Ellis were determined to help him, this is an example of when doctors can’t save patients. This flashback proves that Ellis was always more focused on her career ambitions than on being a present parent, as Richard remembers Meredith at the hospital looking upset that her mother didn’t want to spend time with her.

Why Sarah Paulson Didn’t Return In Season 11

Sarah Paulson as Bette and Dot Tattler American Horror Story Freak Show

While a younger Ellis Grey appears again in season 11, Sarah Paulson didn’t return to the series as she was shooting American Horror Story: Freak Show, so Sally Pressman took on the role (via TVLine). Paulson filmed Bette and Dot in a creative manner, and the season would have been very different without her compelling portrayal of the conjoined twins. Pressman’s version of Ellis appears in season 11, episode 4, “Only Mama Knows,” which shares the backstory that Richard was upset over Ellis receiving a Harper Avery award nomination and ended their affair.

Ellis And Richard’s Love Story Is Brief But Tragic

A flashback scene showing Ellis and Richard's happy days in Grey's Anatomy

Ellis and Richard truly love each other, and Paulson’s Ellis believes that Richard will end his marriage, as they sit at a bar at the conclusion of her season 6 episode and she hints that it will only be a matter of time before he tells his wife Adele (Loretta Devine) that it’s over. However, neither leaves their marriage, and they never have the opportunity for a real, serious commitment. As a result, Richard and Meredith have a sweet relationship on Grey’s Anatomy as they share a common sadness over Ellis suffering from Alzheimer’s and slipping away from them.

 

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