Seattle Grace is the fictitious hospital where the show
Grey’s Anatomy takes place. The title is a reference the medical handbook Gray’s Anatomy. The show has been running for four seasons (it debuted in 2005) and is set to start it’s fifth season this Thursday on ABC. Written and created by Shonda Rhimes,
Grey’s Anatomy centers around main character Meredith Grey, who has emotional issues that she tries working through. Other characters involved are Derek Shepherd (who is Meredith’s on again, off again), Cristina Yang (Meredith’s go-to friend and confidant), Izzie Stevens, George O’Malley, Alex Karev, Callie Torres, Mark Sloan, Richard Webber, and Miranda Bailey. Recent additions to the cast are Chyler Leigh, who plays Meredith’s recently discovered half-sister and Brooke Smith, who plays Erica Hahn, the new cardiothoracic surgeon at Seattle Grace who has since replaced former head cardiothoracic surgeon Preston Burke, who was played by Isaiah Washington.
Controversy sparked when Isaiah Washington used a homophobic slur (reportedly in reference to co-star T.R. Knight) during an on-set disagreement with co-star Patrick Dempsey. Washington used the word again as part of a denial backstage at the Golden Globes. ABC decided that Washington would no longer be a part of the Grey’s Anatomy cast and informed writer and creator, Shonda Rhimes, of the decision. Rhimes let Washington personally know of the decision and his character, Preston Burke, was written off the show. Burke and Cristina Yang had a long-time relationship that was culminating in their marriage. Unfortunately for Burke/Yang fans, (as a cause of the controversy off-set) the relationship would end with Preston leaving Cristina at the church.
