FORGIVEN?!: Isaiah Washington to return to 'Grey's Anatomy' as Sandra Oh exits
buzzz worthy. . .
By Mona Austin
In 2007 multi-award winning actor Isaiah Washington was fired from "Grey's Anatomy" for doing the unthinkable in Hollywood: hurling a gay slur at then closeted co-host, T. R. Knight. After Exectutive Producer Shonda Rhimes served him walking papers, Washington was blacklisted.
Seven years later Rhimes has decided to re-hire Washington to tie up some loose ends on the medical drama. After all, Preston Burke (the role he played) did leave Sandra Oh's character Cristina Yang standing at the altar, only offering an explanation in a letter.
"It’s important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang."
Rhimes thinks Burke being on the show will bring about proper closure.
Washington will return to Grey's with the blessing of GLAAD, which was previously one of the loudest voices against the actor. The pro-gay group said in a statement:
" His PSA and his statements promoting marriage equality in recent years have sent a strong message of support for LGBT people. We look forward to seeing him return to one of our favorite shows, as well as in Patrik-Ian Polk's moving film Blackbird about a young man coming out in a small Southern town.”
The unexpected will happen this May, in an episode preceding the one in which Sandra Oh will say goodbye for ever as Dr. Cristina Yang. Her departure has long been confirmed by producers and showrunner Shonda Rhimes.
By Mona Austin
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| Actor Isaiah Washington |
In 2007 multi-award winning actor Isaiah Washington was fired from "Grey's Anatomy" for doing the unthinkable in Hollywood: hurling a gay slur at then closeted co-host, T. R. Knight. After Exectutive Producer Shonda Rhimes served him walking papers, Washington was blacklisted.
Seven years later Rhimes has decided to re-hire Washington to tie up some loose ends on the medical drama. After all, Preston Burke (the role he played) did leave Sandra Oh's character Cristina Yang standing at the altar, only offering an explanation in a letter.
"It’s important to me that Cristina’s journey unfolds exactly as it should. Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang."
Rhimes thinks Burke being on the show will bring about proper closure.
Washington will return to Grey's with the blessing of GLAAD, which was previously one of the loudest voices against the actor. The pro-gay group said in a statement:
" His PSA and his statements promoting marriage equality in recent years have sent a strong message of support for LGBT people. We look forward to seeing him return to one of our favorite shows, as well as in Patrik-Ian Polk's moving film Blackbird about a young man coming out in a small Southern town.”
The unexpected will happen this May, in an episode preceding the one in which Sandra Oh will say goodbye for ever as Dr. Cristina Yang. Her departure has long been confirmed by producers and showrunner Shonda Rhimes.
