The firing of Isaiah Washington, who portrayed Dr. Preston Burke on Greys Anatomy, was definitely dramatic.He was written off the show for referring to T.R. Knight, beloved character George OMalley, using a homophobic slur. ABC and Shonda Rhimes chose to dismiss the actor in season three due to his unacceptable behavior and discriminatory phrases.
RELATED: Why Kelly McCreary Thinks Greys Anatomy Could Go on Forever
Although according to a Washington Post, Washington allegedly apologized for using the homophobic slur. But then he openly denied the allegations during an interview on the Larry King Live show.
Undeniably Burkes role as head of cardiothoracic surgery was significant at the Seattle Grace Hospital. He was also romantically involved with Christina Yang, played by Sandra Oh. However, Washingtons behavior resulted in the end of his time on Greys Anatomy after three successful seasons in 2007.
The actors dramatic dismissal emerged in the plot as Burke left his bride-to-be, Christina, at the altar on their wedding day. After his exit, Greys Anatomy hardly mentioned Burke in proceeding episodes. Although an executive working at the ABC commented in a New York Times interview that his behavior would not necessitate a dismissal, too much pressure caused his subsequent firing and indefinite dismissal.
RELATED: Merediths Daughter Looks Exactly Like Ellis Grey
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Washington referenced Knight using a particular homophobic slur during a heated argument with Patrick Dempsey. The first alleged incident was behind the scenes, and he apologized for the insensitive comments on the fellow actor. However, Washington denies the incident occurring in all interviews.
During the Golden Globe Awards, while backstage with reporters, Washington referred to Knight again using the homophobic slur.He later apologized again and even advocated for gays right using a small PSA. The PSA, which defended GLADD, was even included in the return season of Greys Anatomy.
Later, Knight came out as gay. He commented during an interview with Ellen DeGeneres that the pressure was too much.Washingtons behavior was totally off, and fans were OK with his dismissal from the show. Greys Anatomys ugly chapter faded away only for Rhimes to bring back Burke in season 10.
GLAAD, the LGBTQ defense group, issued an official statement approving Washingtons return in season 10 of Greys Anatomy. Rhimes found his return intrinsic to reunite him with his ex-fiance, Yang, as she prepared to end her journey.
However, fans did not take his return lightheartedly. Most accused Rhimes of bringing back the controversial character. On Reddit, one fan commented that Washington should have never been brought back to the show after treating Knight in an inappropriate and discriminatory manner.
Although Washington has continuously supported the LGBTQ community over the years, fans havent forgiven him for his behavior. They were not appeased by his short return and his reunion with Christina. Despite Rhimes creating a storyline of how he started his own hospital and is married with children, fans found it nonsensical.
Even if many characters have exited the show over the years, Washington exit was definitely the nastiest. Fans immediately hated his character, and his return is a bit insensitive for Knight, who received the backlash. Regardless, its important to note that Washingtons view of the LGBTQ community may have changed. He may genuinely support them despite his discriminatory phrases in the past.
Read the rest here:
'Grey's Anatomy': Isaiah Washington Shouldn't Have Come Back to the Show, Fans Complain - Showbiz Cheat Sheet
- 19 Most Memorable (and Heart-Wrenching!) 'Grey's Anatomy' Episodes of All Time - PEOPLE - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 16 stars you forgot were on Grey's Anatomy before their big break (including future Oscar nominees) - Entertainment Weekly News - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- "I Cried When He Died": Shonda Rhimes Is Still Deeply Impacted By Killing One Grey's Anatomy Character - Screen Rant - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- See the Best Greys Anatomy Behind-the-Scenes Photos to Celebrate 20 Years of the Medical Drama - PEOPLE - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Katherine Heigl, Jeffrey Dean Morgan reunite to talk Grey's Anatomy , from Denny's death to ghost sex - Entertainment Weekly News - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Sandra Oh Is Changing Her Tune on a Potential Return to 'Grey's Anatomy' - PEOPLE - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- The Scrapped Grey's Anatomy Spin-Off Would Have Ruined The Show's Best Characters - SlashFilm - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Anatomy of a flood: The Derna tragedys lessons for Libyan governance - Brookings Institution - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 19 Years Later, Shonda Rhimes Still Isnt Over This Greys Anatomy Death (and Neither Are We) - Collider - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- The perfect palliative balm of Greys Anatomy - Financial Times - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 15 Behind-the-Scenes Facts You Didn't Know About Grey's Anatomy, 20 Years After It Premiered - MSN - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- I Have Zero Endings: Shonda Rhimes Has No Idea How (or When) Greys Anatomy Will End - Collider - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- My Only Allegiance Is to the Story: Shonda Rhimes Explains Why Shes Killed So Many Beloved Greys Anatomy Characters - Collider - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' star Ellen Pompeo says $20 million salary brings 'true independence': 'I don't have to do anything I don't want to do' - CNBC - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 'I love your song from "Grey's Anatomy"': How the ABC medical drama's soundtrack changed these artists' musical careers - Yahoo... - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Shonda Rhimes On The 'Grey's Anatomy' & 'Scandal' Spinoffs That Never Materialized: "We Thought About A Lot Of Things" - Deadline - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Shades of Gray in Twenty Years of Greys Anatomy - Books, Health and History - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Linda Lowy talks casting Shondaland, from Grey's Anatomy to the best audition she's ever seen - Entertainment Weekly News - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Shonda Rhimes is 'forever bitter' about having to fight for 'Grey's Anatomy' musical episode - Entertainment Weekly News - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy: Is It Finally Time for Owen & Teddy to Call it Quits? (POLL) - TV Insider - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- After 18 Years, Meredith Finally Proves Ellis' Most Hurtful Criticism Wrong In Grey's Anatomy Season 21 - Screen Rant - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Arte France Boards Movistar Plus+s The Anatomy of a Moment, From The Plagues Alberto Rodrguez - Variety - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Makes Me Just Go, Hmm: Christinas Potential Greys Anatomy Return Addressed By Sandra Oh, Who Admits Her Stance Has Softened After Years Of Hard No -... - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Shonda Rhimes Reveals "A Bunch" Of Never Made Grey's Anatomy Spinoffs, Including One Based On The Shepherd Family - Screen Rant - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Anatomy of a Massacre - by Theo Padnos - Persuasion - Persuasion | Yascha Mounk - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- We Thought About a Lot of Things: Shonda Rhimes Discusses Greys Anatomy Spin-Offs That Never Were - Collider - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Redefined the Medical Drama on TV - Collider - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy turns 20: How Katherine Heigl pulled off her Emmy upset and remains the only series regular to win - Gold Derby - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Why Shonda Rhimes Scrapped Spinoffs of Greys Anatomy and Scandal - TheWrap - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy at 20: From their pretty exciting first day to their linchpin episodes, Chandra Wilson and James Pickens Jr. look back - Gold Derby - March 30th, 2025 [March 30th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy': Deceit Rocks Grey Sloan, Link and Jo Make a Big Decision and Meredith Faces the Wrath of Richard - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo won't let 10-year-old watch Grey's Anatomy , isn't ready for her to see her in her underwear on TV - Entertainment Weekly News - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals Why She Doesn't Want Her 10-Year-Old Daughter Sienna to Watch Grey's Anatomy - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- How to watch Greys Anatomy' online for FREE without cable - PennLive - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Forget Marry Me Chicken: Links Insane Greys Anatomy Breakfast Sandwich Is the Real Deal-Closer - TVLine - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Original Grey's Anatomy Cast in Photos: Then and Now - Good Housekeeping - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Why Ellen Pompeo Wont Let Her 10-year-old Daughter Watch Greys Anatomy - Hollywood Reporter - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo's Good American Family Promos Airing During ABC's Grey's Anatomy Night Is Kind Of Trippy, But Her New Hulu Show Has Me Intrigued -... - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo explains why she doesnt want her 10-year-old daughter watching Greys Anatomy - New York Post - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 10 Review: I'm So Glad Meredith Is Back In A Refreshing Return To Form For The ABC Show - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Showrunner Weighs In On The Pitt's Success & The Competition In Medical Drama - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo on Stepping Back From 'Grey's Anatomy' to Take on Natalia Grace's Story (Exclusive) - Entertainment Tonight - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals Hilarious Reason She Wont Let Her Daughter Watch Greys Anatomy - E! Online - E! NEWS - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- 10 of the Biggest Feuds in Greys Anatomy History - Shondaland.com - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Anatomy of a Recession Update: Consumer confidence | Franklin Templeton - Beyond Bulls & Bears - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Says 'Grey's Anatomy' Fans Will Be Shocked By Her Role as Natalia Grace's Adoptive Mom - Access Hollywood - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- A Guide to Security Investments: The Anatomy of a Cyberattack - SecurityWeek - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Noah Wyle Says His Kids Have Watched More Greys Anatomy Than ER : Its a Point of Contention (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Welcome from Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience - News | University College Cork - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Showrunner Reveals Whether Ellen Pompeo Will Return for Season 22 - Collider - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Sneakily Continues A Key Station 19 Story A Year After ABC Canceled The Spinoff - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Anatomy of the average American paycheck - Floyd Chronicle & Times - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Showrunner Addresses Whether There Could Be A Future Without Any Meredith Grey - Screen Rant - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Actor Jason George Explains What Its Like Filming Amidst Schmitt And Yasudas Departure - CinemaBlend - March 15th, 2025 [March 15th, 2025]
- The Magic Behind 'Grey's Anatomy': CGI, Medical Expertise, and Hollywood Tricks - Collider - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Canadians and Wayne Gretzky: Anatomy of a Relationship on Thin Ice - The New York Times - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Spits & Suds: The Anatomy of how trade deadline deals get done in the NHL - 105.3 The Fan - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- 'Grey's Anatomy' Star Kate Walsh Shares Healthy Habits for Cancer Prevention - Healthline - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- The Anatomy of Fear: Tips on Scoring a Body Horror Movie - No Film School - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Go-to anatomy atlas featuring corpses of Nazi victims revamped by UCLA cardiologist - The Times of Israel - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals Which Viral Scene from Greys Anatomy Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry (Exclusive) - PEOPLE - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- In Karnataka, the anatomy of three riot-like situations - The Hindu - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Ellen Pompeo Reveals The Grey's Anatomy's Episode That Made Her Oldest Daughter Cry - Screen Rant - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Heres Whats New on TV This Week Including Grey's Anatomy American Idol, The Righteous Gemstones, and More - Collider - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy cast members who have spoken out about their own serious health conditions - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Returns: Everything You Need to Know Ahead of the Midseason Premiere - TVLine - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- All the Lingering Questions We Need Answered When Greys Anatomy Comes Back - Shondaland.com - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy star Kate Walsh shares important message after being diagnosed with brain tumour - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- 'I Couldn't Hold It Together': Ellen Pompeo Recalls Grey's Anatomy Moment That Brought Her and Her Daughter to Tears - CBR - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy star Kate Walsh reveals very subtle warning sign ahead of brain tumour diagnosis - Tyla - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy season 21 part 1 recap: All to remember before part 2 arrives - Sportskeeda - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- Grey's Anatomy Season 21 Episode 9: Release date & time, what to expect, and more - Sportskeeda - March 5th, 2025 [March 5th, 2025]
- The Splendour of Life, Starring Anatomy of a Fall Actor Camille Rutherford, Picked Up by H264 (EXCLUSIVE) - Variety - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Sneak Peek: Its Tears for Fears in Your First Look at the Midseason Premiere - TVLine - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Can a Longtime Greys Anatomy Stan Learn to Love the Grim Medical Reality of The Pitt? - Vogue - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Greys Anatomy Is Coming Back Next MonthHeres What We Know About That Cliff-Hanger - Glamour - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- New Extremity Box Set Collects 'High Tension,' 'Anatomy of Hell,' 'Frontier(s),' 'Martyrs' on Blu-ray - Bloody Disgusting - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- When Does 'Grey's Anatomy' Return With New Episodes? - TV Insider - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- Books of Discovery Expands Access to Premier Anatomy and Physiology Textbooks for Educators and Students - EIN News - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]
- 10 Scenes That Made Grey's Anatomy Fans Quit the Show (& Never Look Back) - CBR - February 25th, 2025 [February 25th, 2025]