Grey’s Anatomy is now in its 22nd season, and despite the love stories, tragic deaths, medical breakthroughs, and more than a few tragedies and surprises, the entire cast is still in awe every time they arrive on set in the morning.
From the young faces who are new to the show as interns to veterans like Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. – who have been with the show since the first season – everyone shares their excitement and deep gratitude for their work and their roles.
Recently, The Hollywood Reporter had the opportunity to visit the set of Grey’s Anatomy and chat with the cast members. They often use the phrase “getting to do” when talking about their daily work, as if being cast in a famous TV series is a precious privilege.
Chandra Wilson, who plays Dr. Miranda Bailey, shared that when she first took on the role, she simply thought it was to pay off her credit card bills and never expected to “do” the character for so long. Wilson said that what helps her keep Bailey fresh is that she doesn’t view the role as her own property but is always willing to learn with the audience to discover new aspects of the character.
Along with that, young actors such as Anthony Hill, Jake Borelli, Alexis Floyd, Niko Terho, Midori Francis, Harry Shum Jr., Adelaide Kane and James Pickens Jr. shared their experiences participating in the famous film, the affection of fans and interesting behind-the-scenes stories.
“My first day in season one was standing there giving the ‘I have five rules’ speech as the interns came out of their dressing rooms and met me for the first time,” Chandra Wilson recalls. “We had never met before. And now, more than two decades later, every time I come on set, I still get overwhelmed when I see a parking spot with my name on it. I never take it for granted. Every new season, I still get the same thrill, just like the first time.”
The question is, could she have imagined that she would stick with the role for more than 20 years? Wilson laughs and says, “Absolutely not. I came on to pay off credit card debt, and it was originally a mid-season show with 13 episodes. I think it was only going to last about three years, and I was even told it could be six, and I keep that in mind as I go into each new season.”
For young actors who are new to the show, joining a show with such a long history and a loyal fan base can be a challenge and an excitement. Alexis Floyd said that she was not allowed to watch the show as a child because her mother thought it was “too adult.” But when she was exposed to the show’s entire history, she felt the dedication and creativity that the artists put into the project.
Barbadian actor Niko Terho was moved to return to his home country and realize the show’s wide-reaching impact. He was known as the first person to represent the Caribbean community on a major television show, something that many fans felt they could relate to and feel proud of.
James Pickens Jr., a longtime cast member who has lived through the ups and downs of his character, shared that Grey’s Anatomy has become a part of his life, and that many fans have even chosen to pursue medical careers because of the show’s inspiration.
Although Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey) has reduced her official appearance time on the show, she still maintains a close relationship with the young actors, often giving them advice and even small gifts such as cactus – a symbol of resilience and sustainable development.
The cast said that even after more than two decades, they still feel that this is their second home, a place where everyone can “come back” and contribute their best to the emotional and humane medical stories.
When asked about their favorite couples in the history of Grey’s Anatomy, the actors all have special appreciation for the romantic and complicated relationships such as Meredith – Derek or Denny Duquette – Izzie Stevens, as well as the deep friendship between Meredith and Christina Yang – relationships that have left a strong impression on the audience.
As for the future of the series, no one on the show can predict exactly how long Grey’s Anatomy will last, but everyone agrees that they will continue to give their all until they no longer have the strength. As Jake Borelli said: “Hopefully the show will continue for another 20 years.”
To date, with 22 seasons on the air, Grey’s Anatomy remains one of the most enduring television series, with a large viewership on streaming platforms and a loyal fan base around the world.
