According To The Cast: 15 Fun Facts From BTS Of Grey’s Anatomy

Grey’s Anatomy is still kicking despite the departure of high profile characters and drama between the cast behind the scenes.

Grey’s Anatomy first graced our screens way back in 2005 and since then has gone on to become the de facto medical drama on television. Few shows are able to remain popular and successful for 18 years but the series still manages to attract millions of viewers with each episode. That’s despite the departure of high profile characters, new writers joining the crew, and drama between the cast behind the scenes.

As you might expect from any show that has been on the air for so long and features so many different characters, there are plenty of secrets and little known facts about it. Even hardcore fans might not know about these behind the scenes details that the staff has quietly revealed over the years.

15.Kate Walsh Said Grey’s Anatomy Was Not The First Name For The Show

According to Kate Walsh, Grey’s Anatomy was not the first name for the show. In fact, the producers kept changing their minds about the title even during filming for the first season. Other alternative names included Doctors and Surgeons. The team eventually settled on Grey’s Anatomy after the cast supported that title.

14.Scrub Nurse Bokhee Is Actually A Real Nurse

Bokhee is a scrub nurse who has appeared in every single season of Grey’s Anatomy. However, she only shows up during surgery and rarely has any speaking lines. What fans may not know is that the actor is a real nurse. According to Sandra Oh, she still works as a surgical nurse today.

13.Sandra Oh Was Originally Auditioning For Miranda Bailey

Sandra Oh is known for her portrayal of Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy. However, that was not the first role she auditioned for. The actress revealed she originally auditioned for the part of Miranda Bailey. When this was unsuccessful, she asked what other characters were available and went for Cristina

12.Kate Walsh’s Character, Addison Shepherd, Was Only Going To Be A Minor Character

Kate Walsh has previously spoken about the initial plans for her character Addison Montgomery-Shepherd. According to the actor, the writers only wanted her to be a minor character at first. They eventually realized the potential for extra storylines and made her a more permanent addition.

11.Chicken Fat And Cow Organs Are Used During Surgeries

One of the things that fans like about Grey’s Anatomy is that the medical terms and surgeries appear to be very accurate. They ensure that the portrayal of each type of surgery is accurate, including making it look right. Crew use cow organs alongside chicken fat to give a realistic appearance.

10.Rob Lowe Almost Played Derek Shepherd

Derek Shepherd was one of the leading characters on Grey’s Anatomy. He was played by Patrick Dempsey throughout his run on the show but he was not the only actor considered for the role. According to cast members, Rob Lowe was approached but he turned down the part.

9.Alex Karev Was Added After The Pilot Was Filmed

The character of Alex Karev was never in the early drafts of the pilot. In fact, much of the episode was filmed before the writers decided to add in the character. He was inserted to provide a male companion for George O’Malley and to act as a sort of antagonist for the other characters.

8.Sandra Oh Gave Out 250 Gifts When She Left The Show

Although she had been an important character on Grey’s Anatomy since the beginning, Sandra Oh left the medical drama in 2014. However, it was an amicable split and the actor was sad to leave because of the friends she had made with the cast and crew. In fact, she handed out more than 250 gifts on her final day.

7.Shonda Rhimes Based Bailey On Her Own Mom

Showrunner and writer Shonda Rhimes has used a lot of real-life events and people for inspiration in Grey’s Anatomy. That was especially the case for Bailey. Rhimes apparently based the character on her own mother, who was outspoken and feisty.

6.Ellen Pompeo And Patrick Dempsey Only Found Out Derek Was Married During Filming

According to both Ellen Pompeo and Patrick Dempsey, they found out a surprise about Derek Shepherd during season 1. The actor who portrayed the character only found out halfway through shooting the season that he was supposed to be married. Meanwhile, Pompeo discovered the fact after filming for the season had wrapped.

5.Giacomo Gianniotti Suggested A Change In The Episode Naming Tradition

Anyone who has watched Grey’s Anatomy will be aware that every episode title is named after a song. That is apart from one specific exception to the rule. The episode 1-800-799-7233 was a reference to the National Domestic Violence Hotline in response to the show’s current storyline. Giacomo Gianniotti was responsible for suggesting the change in tradition.

4.Jesse Williams Used To Be A Teacher

Jesse Williams is the 38-year-old actor who played Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey’s Anatomy. What many people might not realize is that Williams was not always an actor. During his early adult years, he was actually a trained teacher and taught a number of different high school grades.

3.Camilla Luddington Missed Her First Audition

Fans of Grey’s Anatomy will know Camilla Luddington for portraying Jo Karev in the show. However, she almost missed out on appearing in the medical drama altogether. That’s because she actually didn’t make her first audition, but was fortunate enough to be given a second chance.

2.Isaiah Washington Auditioned For Derek Shepherd

Isaiah Washington had a controversial and difficult relationship with Grey’s Anatomy following his dismissal from the show. While he portrayed surgeon, Dr. Preston Burke, during his time on the series, this was not the first character he auditioned for. Instead, he was first interested in playing Derek Shepherd.

1.T. R. Knight Kept Everyone Laughing On Set

According to the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, T. R. Knight was the person on set most likely to make people laugh. Known for portraying Dr. George O’Malley, he acted as the class clown, often making jokes or playing pranks on the cast and crew. He developed a reputation for keeping everyone’s spirits up.