Grey’s Anatomy’s 7 biggest off-screen dramas: from Katherine Heigl’s Emmy’s beef with Shonda Rhimes, to Ellen Pompeo’s interview with Viola Davis – but who allegedly faked medical issues?

Aug 29 , 2022

Shonda Rhimes, Katherine Heigl, Ellen Pompeo and Elisabeth Finch all played a big part in the creation of Grey’s Anatomy. Photos: YouTube, Handout, Getty

The ABC show had some serious behind-the-scenes controversies, from director Denzel Washington going ‘ham’ on Ellen Pompeo, to Patrick Dempsey allegedly ‘terrorising the set’

In one interview with Viola Davis and Kerry Washington, Pompeo apparently interrupted a conversation about racism by walking out of an interview in tears

Medical TV show Grey’s Anatomy made history on screen but also garnered headlines for behind-the-scenes drama … but which were the most scandalous? We’ve rounded up the most prominent controversies from 2005 to 2022.

1. Isaiah Washington reportedly used a homophobic slur to refer to co-star T.R. Knight

T.R. Knight and Isaiah Washington both starred in Grey’s Anatomy. Photo: Wire Image

One of the earliest clashes on the Grey’s Anatomy set happened between former stars Isaiah Washington and Patrick Dempsey, during which Washington reportedly referred to co-star T.R Knight using a homophobic slur.

While shooting a scene late at night in October 2006, the actors began to argue because Washington was annoyed that Dempsey was late to set, the tell-all book How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy by Entertainment Weekly’s editor at large Lynette Rice reported. It eventually escalated into a physical fight, former executive producer Mark Wilding said in the book.

Former Grey’s writer Harry Werksman said that Washington pushed Dempsey against a wall and told him he couldn’t “talk to me the way you talk to” Knight, whom he referred to using the homophobic slur.

Eventually, the men calmed down, but the fight and Washington’s use of the slur were reported to the press.

Knight eventually made a statement confirming that he’s gay to the press. Washington issued a statement of apology to People in 2006. But he used the slur again at the 2007 Golden Globes while denying he said it during the fight.

The actor was fired from Grey’s Anatomy in 2007, but returned in season 10 to help facilitate Sandra Oh’s exit as Dr Cristina Yang.

2. Katherine Heigl’s drama with Shonda Rhimes

Grey’s Anatomy’s show creator Shonda Rhimes poses with actress Katherine Heigl at the In Style Magazine cast party held at Grace restaurant in 2006, in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Getty Images

Katherine Heigl won an Emmy for her supporting role as Dr Izzie Stevens on Grey’s Anatomy in 2007. But in 2008, she withdrew her name from Emmys consideration, per a statement published by Entertainment Weekly that read as follows: