Grey's Anatomy star Kevin McKidd has discussed why he continues to enjoy the role of Dr Owen Hunt, 12 years after making his first appearance on the show in 2008.

Speaking to Digital Spy ahead of the launch of Disney+'s Star on Tuesday, February 23 which will include seasons 1-15 of the popular medical drama the actor said he appreciates the fact that Owen is "flawed".

"I like the fact that he's a messy character," he said. "He's not this kind of perfect guy. He can be sweet but he can also be tough. He can also be kind of a hothead and a kind of a bull in a china shop.

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"He can annoy me sometimes, because I'm annoyed at the choices he's making, but I think that's what I like about him.

"He's not easy to characterise as a man. He's flawed, he knows he's flawed, and he's trying to do better. Sometimes he does, sometimes he doesn't, and I like that because that feels real."

McKidd added that when he first met with creator Shonda Rhimes and signed up for the role, he knew very little about the character other than he worked in the army.

"Time just flies and I feel incredibly lucky and incredibly fortunate and blessed that I get the chance to do this. I really, really do. Every day, I feel grateful for it," he said.

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Now in its 17th season in the US, the show continues to be a global success. Millions around the world tune in to follow the lives of these doctors both at work and away from the hospital.

McKidd offered his thoughts on why the show has resonated with so many people, believing the characters are human but inspiring.

"It really does a good job in the writing of depicting all these doctors and these nurses and these patients who are all just struggling with their own problems and their issues," he shared. "There are medical issues, there are mental issues, there are emotional and life issues, and despite all the struggles, everyone is trying to do their best.

"And people make mistakes and they mess up, but everybody's trying to do better each day. And I think that's inspiring. That's a global, very universal theme.

"Yeah, we've all got problems, but we still should try to improve ourselves day in day out, and I think that's why people are so invested in these characters. They see that they're flawed and they're troubled and they have issues, but they work through them and try to do better."

And with the ongoing pandemic, the medical drama has greater significance.

While referencing the fact that the show is currently filming storylines related to COVID-19, McKidd who released a charity single in May 2020 to support food banks described the frontline staff as heroes.

"It really is heroism of all these medical practitioners, nurses, doctors and everybody who works in these arenas," he said.

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"They're exposing themselves to this virus every single day. They've been working incredible hours, they're stretched thin, they're at breaking point all the time.

"And I think getting the chance to dramatise that especially with all this misinformation that's out there about mask-wearing and about the protocols and about the vaccine I think it's important for us to really go, 'These are human beings. This is not a political thing. This is real life. These people are people. These doctors and nurses are people. They're scared but they're doing it anyway. They really are the frontline soldiers of this battle'.

"So I feel proud that we get to dramatise that and shine a light on it."

Grey's Anatomy seasons 1-15 will be available to stream on Disney+ via Star on Tuesday, February 23.

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Grey's Anatomy - Kevin McKidd on why still enjoys playing Owen - digitalspy.com