Kai Bartley is a character new to Grey’s Anatomy in season 18 and keen-eyed viewers may recognize the actor from one of their other notable performances. Over the 20 seasons and counting of Grey’s Anatomy, dozens of new characters have been introduced, some appreciated by fans, others not so beloved. The characters who end up sticking around are those like Bartley, who present fascinating new dynamics with other characters in the series. It’s difficult for a character to be a lone wolf on the show unless their name is Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo).
Kai Bartley fits well in that mold with their own storylines, and connections with other characters that feel authentic and grow those other cast members as well. They are also part of a legacy of exemplary LGBTQ+ representation in Grey’s Anatomy. Shonda Rhimes has always made an effort to have representation be a core tenet of all her shows and Grey’s Anatomy, in particular, frequently features diverse characters in both supporting and major parts, ever since its debut in 2005 when the subject was not as represented on mainstream television.
Kai Bartley Is The First Non-Binary Doctor On Grey’s Anatomy
Bartley Is A Neuroscientist Who Starts A Relationship With Amelia Shepherd
Kai Bartley is the first character to appear on Grey’s Anatomy who identifies as non-binary. Using the pronouns they/them, Bartley arrives in season 18, episode 2, “Some Kind of Tomorrow”, as a neuroscientist working in Minnesota who helps Amelia Shepherd (Caterina Scorsone) on a Parkinson’s research team. Amelia frequently travels between Minnesota and Seattle for research and she and Kai slowly develop feelings for one another.
In season 18, episode 12, “The Makings of You”, Kai and Amelia go on a date and end up having sex later that night, signaling a serious step forward in their relationship. It’s the type of relationship Kai’s actor, E.R. Fightmaster, hoped for when they were cast on the show. The actor, who is also non-binary, told NBC how great it would be to become a love interest akin to Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), from the first 11 seasons of the show.
Kai and Fightmaster would be welcome back considering Fightmaster’s romantic, intelligent, and nuanced portrayal of the character.
While the end of Kai’s story saw them leaving for London for a job opportunity in season 19, episode 15, “Mama Who Bore Me”, a departure that broke Amelia’s heart, they could return in a later season. Kai and Fightmaster would be welcome back considering Fightmaster’s romantic, intelligent, and nuanced portrayal of the character. They bring quite a bit to the series.
Kai Bartley Actor E.R. Fightmaster Appeared In Aidy Bryant’s Shrill
Grey’s Anatomy Is Still The Biggest Role Of The Actor’s Career
Grey’s Anatomy is the most high-profile project of Fightmaster’s career up to this point. While they have only had a few screen credits in their filmography, they began their career with The Second City Chicago, the comedy and acting boot camp that has produced stars from John Belushi to Tim Robinson. Their only other credits come in short films, and two episodes of Work in Progress and Tales From the Closet, the latter of which they play themselves.
However, Fightmaster does have one other notable non-Grey’s Anatomy role, which comes in Aidy Bryant’s (also a Second City alum) comedy series Shrill, where they play Em/Emily. Em appears in season 2 of the show and begins dating Fran (Lolly Adefope), a relationship that’s threatened when Fran wavers on moving in with Em. Both Fightmaster’s Grey’s Anatomy and Shrill characters are non-binary, and neither role makes a big deal about how they identify, creating a much welcomed and normalized characterization.
