The Return of Jeffrey Dean Morgan
A source with close ties to Seattle Grace tells TV Guide’s Michael Ausiello that Jeffrey Dean Morgan is returning to Grey’s Anatomy as Izzie’s late fiancĂ© in an episode to air later this season.
Since Denny clearly passed away back in May, it seems safe to assume that he’ll appear in either a dream sequence or a newly created flashback.
Of course, if Shonda Rhimes wants to get really creative, she could read some of our fan suggestions on how (and if) Denny should come back to life.
TV Guide offers a few humorous options:
- Kenny. Denny’s long-lost (and evil) twin. Just as Izzie is starting to feel get over Denny, her ill-fated soul mate’s brother shows up to reclaim the $8.7 million inheritance!
- Ghost of Denny. At the opening ceremonies of the Denny Duquette Memorial Clinic, his spirit appears just in time to cut the ribbon. Poignant.
- An Alien. Okay, so this isn’t the X-Files. But some of you may recall that while guest starring as Izzie’s love, Jeffrey Dean Morgan was also a regular on the WB series Supernatural. Katherine Heigl, for her part, once starred on Roswell. Think about it.
Can you think of any other possible scenarios - serious or crazy - that may bring our beloved Jeffrey Dean Morgan back to Grey’s Anatomy? Leave us a comment and share.



Denny coming back would be great; however, his death does create a problem and I just don’t like the idea of an evil twin. Evil twin seems too much like soap opera to me.
I knew it! I just knew JDM was coming back, when I heard last fall the plans for his new show with Shonda were postponed! I don’t care how they use him, I’m just SO THRILLED he will be back! The man has the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard!!!
I just re-read it and realized its only says one episode…I was hoping as a regular, but who knows…
Please, please, please, bring him back!
Well, since this is ABC we’re talking about… maybe his death was faked. Or maybe there’s a magical, mysterious healing potion that healed him. Or maybe it’s not his body, but his genetic double’s, and he’s in hiding.
I think the episode will be more along the lines of a future dream sequence and what would have happened between Izzy and Denny if Denny would not have died.
I think that there should be a whole episode on dreams…. where each character has dreams. Izzie’s of course would be about Denny. And there could be somethings revealed in her dreams about Denny and about their relationship.
With all the talk of marriage on recent episodes, I think Izzie should have a series of dreams that would play out how her and Denny’s life would have been together—their wedding day, their home, their family. Danni’s suggestion is great—maybe everyone in the episode would be living out their “dream world” scenarios.
I think they should bring him back as Denny’s brorther and not make him an evil one either. Jeffery is a great actor and brings a lot to the show. I would rather have him as Denny but he did die and bringing him back as Denny would be to much like a soap opera.
What we all really want is for Denny to be alive, not dead. But, I don’t think they can pull that off at this point. They could bring him back as someone who looks like Denny, not as an evil twin. He could turn up at the free clinic to see a Dr. for treatment and not realize what he is walking into. Everyone would see him at first, except Izzy. Or would that be too hard for Izzy? She is just now coming to terms with Denny’s death. Oh, what the hell, they should just find a way to bring Jeffrey Dean Morgan back! He is a wonderful actor. He fits right in with everyone else on Gray’s. I love me some JDM! Izzy needs a boyfriend!!! What do you think?
Michelle–I could not agree with you more, 100%amen to that! I LOVE your suggestion of having him be someone who looks just like Denny and walks into the clinic for treatment! I think we should all start posting our petitions on the ABC website to make JDM a regular on the show!!!
okay seriously? it work for alias and other crazy shows but, this one is supposed to be halfway beleiveable. i would love to see denny back, but it just wont work
They should bring Jeffrey Dean Morgan back as Dennies Doppleganger. You know how they say everyone in the world has someone somewhere else in the world who bares an uncanny resembelance to them. Well, Izzie should run into Denny’s Doppleganger. They should show her seing him here and there and think she’s going crazy and then one day he shows up as a patient at the Denny Duquette clinic and Izzie gets to treat him….and possibly fall in love with him. I mean, we already know she’s attracted to him, but this guy, let’s call him Steve, might not have the same personality.
Even though it would be awesome to have him back, I think its too unrealistic. Dream sequences are so stupid! Movies do it all the time and its lame. The evil twin thing, maybe a brother, i could see it wokring a little, but please no dreams or flashbacks they’re a let down.
Oops, Apperantly I wasn’t the first to think of that idea. Sorry. I guess I should have read the other comments before I posted my idea.
I think that if they brought him back, that would be a good prelude to why Izzie was so bitchy to Callie last week. And if she finds out this week that Burke and Christina are engaged, then I think she will spend the entire episode fantizing about what their life would have been like. Or, she just might have another mental breakdown. But, regardless, should make for an interesting story line and as always, Denny and Izzie were meant to be together!!!!!
I also agree w/ Danni! THAT WOULD BE THE BEST EPISODE EVER!!!!!!!
The dead belong in one place.
The cementery.
I really think the writers of the show lose all credibility if they bring him back to life. This is supposed to be realistic, not fantasy. However much you like the character, it’s just not feasible that he comes back to life.
If he does suddenly un-die, I will not be returning to my TV set to watch Grey’s again. I watch the show because of the real relationships it shows, not the fairy, mystical ones.
Please don’t make the whole season a dream like they did way back with the series Dallas.
I think that there could be times when Izzy is talking to “Danny” and he appears to lend her support when she needs it or to thank her for the memorial or to help her get over him and move on. He could also help her realize that George and Callie have the same kind of love that they shared and she needs to accept it. It could be a very emotional moment in the show that helps Izzy deal with everything.
oh yes….please make it special! Let Izzie have the most realistic dream ever! For those of us who totally thought Denny was a charming guy, let us have our fantasy too! Izzie has already mentioned what her wedding would be like and how perfect it would be — so let us have that realistic memory with her! Don’t make it sad — let Izzie be blessed by the dream. Don’t make it full of sex — let Izzie know what it would be like to stand next to him. Don’t make it stupid — let Izzie find her heart and laugh again — and let your audience feel a part of it!
Oh YES YES YES….give us the perfect wedding with Denny holding his bride on the dance floor as he gently kisses a smile on her lips.
PS — i don’t mean bring Denny back to life … i mean let Lizzie have a dream while she is sleeping! you said it was for one episode. Let the whole episode be about her having this dream with everyone in it. And let Danny tell Izzie there is some money he would like to donate and ask her for some ideas.
You know what i mean…just make it beautiful and peaceful for Izzie.
I like Denny as much as the next person, however I really like Alex and Izzie together more. So I hopin’ they make a wise decsion because if they decide the ghost thing, Grey’s will jump the shark.
Shonda you have to bring him back! the evil twin idea is the bomb! come on it will be amazing! I love the idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i’m thinking that possibly .. everything right NOW is a dream (and this is all just for saying, since we’re going on all assumptions here) .. i mean, everything seems too good to be true and kinda weird .. i mean .. george and callie are married, meredith and mcdreamy are back together, and yang and burke are getting married .. it just happened so fast with the two marriages being sprung in there .. maybe all of that is a dream and denny, in reality, got the heart and didnt die or something. i have no clue, but apparently i heard that Denny’s coming back is NOT a flashback or a dream .. i guess we’ll have to wait and see
Here’s how it goes down… Meredith is dead, she drowns and she meets Denny - and probably other dead patients - in heaven, hell, pergatory, some spiritual plane - whatever you prefer to believe in. Of course, they will all have messages for their loves ones back at Seattle Grace, and the ask Meredith to deliver those messages as she gets dragged back to the living after her Mc-Knight in Shining whatever rescues her from the drink (this time it is not the tub) and brings her back. Of course everyone will think she has brain damage after she starts rambling on and on with all of these messages from the other side. Could be a really interesting couple of episodes coming up.
I think that Izzie should just completely lose her mind and go bonkers. She could just start “seeing” Denny and talking to him all the time, even though he’s not really there. Now that would add some drama to the show! And it wouldn’t involve corny dream sequences or cause the show to lose credibility trying to bring someone back from the dead. And honestly, I don’t think it would be too hard for anyone to believe that Izzie’s mind would finally crack under the pressure.
cadiex: LMAO. I was thinking that they were going to do that, but then everything would be too confusing to later on really explain, too many people would be left wondering, etc.
I can’t seem to read anymore of the comments. D= I got to Grey’s Anatomy rules! (no offense) but I just… can’t.
Josh, I have to agree with you 99.98%. It’d be such a pain to see once again ANOTHER television show do much the same as another - and as someone mentioned, the whole episode… not even an episode, the whole season being a dream? How UNREALISITIC is that?
Unfortunatly, it’s also the most plausible reason. To have Denny come back in a dream. The whole “brother look-alike” thing doesn’t suit to my tastes, for I see it as a bit too much fan-based and over done. Let the creators have their fun with it - besides, I’m absolutly 100% positive that Shonda will surprise us with this.
Somehow.
Lauren. No plot spoilers. >O Um. I don’t have much to say to that, really. It confuzzles me and razzles my brain. (Or something like that). But, all is not well between Derek and Meredith: Meredith does NOT seem as happy as she should be (maybe that’s because she’s naturally ‘dark and twisty’), but then again she never has been.
Izzie CAN’T go crazy, she’s already done it once by cutting his LVAD wire and becomming emotionally involved one too many a time. If it happens again, she’s gone from Seattle Grace. D= No more Izzie. And what happens to Karev? We know he has the hots for Addison (AKA Addex or Addisex), but we also know that he has a relentless and every lasting love for Izzie.
No Aliens! xD
i dont want denny to come back.
Carole of Washington State, I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your idea. I don’t think that we have seen the real Izzie since Denny died, and I want her to laugh again. I think that she has formed some attatchment to George or something like that - something that she thought would help her replace Denny. I think that it would be wise for Shonda to do something like that for Izzie. She needs closure. She never got to say that last “i love you” She never got to even date him outside of the hospital. And when you truly love someone, those last moments are so prescious, and she deserves to have something close to “last moments”. She has just been too bitter! I want the old Izzie back!
I would love to see Jeffrey come back. If there is a way to make it realistic Shonda will find it. She’s great and deserves a lot of credit.
AHA!! Denny lied! He lied, His parents didnt know, he was dying, didnt want to hurt them. He didnt want to hurt Izzie, but he was so stinkin rich he wanted to take care of her financially. He set it up somehow and faked his death. Living in a hospital under an assumed name. When he realized that things werent working with the new heart he made the arrangements and did it quickly (reason for prom nite death). While in the other country or after returning to another united states hospital they fixed his heart. Hence Denny’s healthy return.
If I could think of this great detailless quick dont make a llot of explanation Shonda type story line. I am cetain her awesome writers could.
At first my comment was going to be, no way, forget it, not gonna happen. I can’t see Shonda allowing the ghost thng? Still you could start a story line science vs. religion in the healing world. Which is quite a controversy! At this time I will now move on and once again return denny to the never coming back file.
Thanks for giving me a shred of hope. Seriously?
I love Diane’s idea…plus, they didn’t show Denny’s face when he was taken away…but then, it also seems a bit unrealistic.
The best explanation is probably a dream sequence that izzie has in the morning or something like that…I can’t think of any realistic way in which Denny comes back *though we all want him to*!
let’s hope it doesn’t go into fantasy. That would be tooooo NOT grey’s anatomyish>.
According to the update on our boy Denny, He is not the only one we see? Yet its not a dream, blah blah blah. What do ya call it when someone almost dies? See’s the light? See’s your life flash before HER eyes. Denny is cheering go back Mer, tell Izzie I love her!
I am sure I’m all wet. Still like my idea about he’s not really dead. I thought about it cause his parents thought He was dead cause he didnt want to hurt them. It’s not too wild not if he has mega bucks and explains to the Chief listen man, I love her and Don’t want to break her heart any more than I have to?
Aha! Look how the Chief and Baily respected George’s Dads wishes about cutting out that ole tumor. Chief said in his Chief like voice, We must respect the wishes of our patience.
I am just so shocked and tickled pink that Denny is returning. I hope he is returning or I am going to be siick with disappointment. Maybe it has something to do with Dr. Burke, cause they kept saying he had a major story line in February, can’t just be the
wedding, or lack of wedding.
Ii am done and will enjoy each and every episode remaining this season.
Thanks Shonda and company
Who couldn’t want Denny to “come back”…What a dream boat. He was beautiful,and so sweet…any girl’s dream guy. If GA pulls off bringing back Denny, this will be the show of the CENTURY. I don’t care how it happens, I’ll be glued to the tube on Thursday…I can’t wait.
I Love Denny and all but how the hell is he going to return!!
I love Denny and everything, but how is he going to come back to life?!
I think they should bring Denny back. I liked an idea of having him fake his death due to the witness protection program. risking his life to come back to see her next season or in season 5. right when izzie is about to marry her ” new love” on her wedding day, he runs into the church
omgsh i just wanna know if meredith is gonna live:(
it would so suck if she died i mean seriously. it’s like killing barney from… barney.
and is next week the season finale already?
Oh..BRING HIM BACK, PLEASE! I agree about the twin, but not an evil twin. No. Grey’s Anatomy’s creator took Meredith’s life and it was sad, unexpected and, somewhat, disappointing…She should make it up to us by bringing Jeffrey Dean Back: maybe as a sexy, incredible, good hearted twin surgeon? or some kind of GOOD doctor?
Yes, and this doctor turns the clinic upside down! I’m a huge fan, BUT IF YOU BRING HIM BACK? YOU’LL HAVE ME FOREVER! I don’t care how: JUST DO IT!
Oh, and if you’re wondering why I stated that Meredith died? IMHO, seems obvious after last night’s episode..
Don’t know how will I feel not having her around..sigh
ohhh please bring him back!..Jefrey Dean Morgan is like the most handsome guy in the world and a great actor,+ his voice is sooo sexy ,and his character Denny was beautiful..and sooo sweet, charming and really like every girl’s dream guy! and Izzie seems so happy next to him..the episode that he die..i cry soo much! it was really really sad..so i think that if he returs it would be great,,it is true that it would be a little unrealistic, and some teories that they say are crazy, but cool, the less unrealistic idea i think is the fact that he lied and faked his death, and he will return when everything seems calm. ok i really don’t know..i just know that i want Denny back..i don’t care how…every possibility will be fine!…i will be a little, i don’t know crazy? maeby.. but the show won’t losse credibility..because a loooot of people specially girls loves Denny,,and we would be so happy that he returns that we wouldn’t be asking how he did it. because he has been a key character 4 the show.
Just bring him back!!!!!!
I would love to see Denny come back, but as much as I would love to have him back on the show, JDM would need to play another character. GA is realistic. They deal with life and death and if you break those “rules” the show would lose credability.
I could accept JDM playing another character (brother or another person who looks like Denny). One way might be to have someone come to Seattle Grace to the ED brought in from an accident. After some investigation, he is Denny’s biological brother. There could be a variety of reasons Izzie never met him. He ran away from home as a teenager and has not come back to the area. Maybe Denny’s brother was born before his parents were married and his mother decided to place him up for adoption. Also we are dealing with a show that deals with medical technology, so maybe his dad was a sperm donor because someone he knew was impotent (his best friend or his brother) or because he needed the money (or out of the kindness of his heart) he donated sperm. Then when Denny’s brother arrives at Seattle Grace they begin to find out what happened to him providing the explanation.
It would be great for JDM to come back. Maybe Denny’s brother, “Steve” (as a previous post suggested) comes to Seattle Grace as a doctor for a special case or in the process of transporting a patient to the hospital. Hey, even cousins can look similar! JDM could have a different hair style or a beard or something to distinguish him from his role as Denny. Okay, now I am grasping at straws. But if JDM comes back, my point is, it must not be “from the dead.”
Now, Meredith is another story, she has to survive somehow. I agree with what others have said, she used to be a go-getter and now she has been depressed. She needs to be a survivor. She now has McDreamy….we have all been waiting for this. It has been great to see her learn how to have a real relationship, where McDreamy demonstrates his faithfulness and she learns about what commitment is all about.
By the way, I think Izzie thinks George made a mistake when he married Callie for two reasons. One because she may have a personality conflict with Callie, but more likely because she may be jealous of Callie. Sometimes when men and women are best friends they can be protective and now she has to share George with Callie. Also sometimes there are more serious feelings. So I think nobody would be good enough for George in Izzie’s eyes. In the moment of stress, worrying about Meredith, I think Izzie just started spouting off and that is why she said “inappropriate” comments to George. Izzie has been through so much. She has just overcome the tragedy of Denny’s death, and she gets the ‘high’ of helping that patient trapped under the car and now she finds out about Meredith.
I just hope Grey’s Anatomy doesn’t lose Grey that makes the whole show!
I’m hoping that Mer had a “Life After Death” experience and thats how she sees Denny. I don’t feel after this you could really bring Denny back.
I do think you should bring him back as someone who really resembles him & have Izzie and him fall in love. He should be a Dr. also, You will figure out something. This should win all awards possible for TV, I love the show.
Please let Denny appear again…Like in a sex dream with Izzie - how awesome would that be!!!
I believe we all have some kind of look alike out there, wether we are born twins or to completely different people. I personally have experienced this with people I knew and have seen. Plus, who hasn’t had someone come up and tell them that they look like someone else or that they know you for some reason. People have actually argued with my husband that they knew him or thought he was someone else.
BRING JEFFERY DEAN MORGAN BACK AS SOMEONE ELSE. Change his appearance a little, make him a Dr. or something.
BRING JEFFERY DEAN MORGAN BACK AS SOMEONE ELSE, great idea!!! Change his appearance a little, thats how you can bring our JMD back!!!
seriously. the show would be soooooooo much better if denny came back. i have an idea…..since his parents are LOADED…..they could be like….oh ya they froze him…and then do some creepy procedure like a pulse transplant and GET HIM BACK ASAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don’t care how you bring Jeffery A.K.A. Denny back. Just do it please!
Ok, to begin, let me be the first to say that I loved the Denny storyline. JDM was absolutely fantastic in the role. He bought it all the heart (No pun intended) and sensitivity the character needed. If it had gone on any longer they would have had to hand the man an emmy.
Any woman breathing air into her lungs and also had a pulse got their fix every Thursday night at 9:00 p. m. during the 2nd season!!
That being said, I think it would be really silly to bring back the character of Denny. How would you go about doing that? The man walked into the white light for Christ’s sake. He had a stroke, he is no more, he ceases to be. He is worm food. He is taking the eternal dirt nap. Sleeps with the fishes. Plays the harp. Wears wings…Get it?? (See Monty Python’s Parrot sketch)
For God sake we really need to let it go.
Besides….My main complaint is that JDM is not in more stuff! Let’s get this man his own show stat!
One where he walks and talks and laugh’s and cries and eats and sleeps, loves— and does all the things that a non-dying, non missing, non-video taped previously dead character gets to do!! (See Weeds and Supernatural!)
The guy is a great actor…we want to see more of him, not necessarily Denny!
J
I am writing from Italy. Jeffrey is great!! He is fantastic…. please let him live as Denny twin or as Denny himself!!! Nobody saw his funeral…. probably Doc. Bailey noticed he was not dead so she moved Denny in the reanimation dept…… he ramained in coma for a few months then he returned back to life!!! Beautiful idea, isn’t it????? Pls Shonda use my idea!!!!
in order to bring denny back to life we should dig him up from the grave, put his new heart in him and shock it to bring him back then izzie would be so happy
but thats just an idea that i thought of u dont have to use it
cant wait to see jeff again. this is cool, plz come back for us. we all miss you.
Doesnt matter HOW - just bring Mr Denny BACK! oh LORDIE he is a doll!
there are no words to describe Denny. i love him.
poor izzie.
poor denny.
i wanna cry just thinking about it.
imagine if izzie decided what dress to wear to the prom a few minutes earlier.
she would have gotten there sooner.
and before it happened.
she could have saved him.
i guess t.v. just doesn’t work like that.
every time anyone mentions strokes i freak.
Would the idea of “Cloning” Denny be to far fetched …
Jeffrey dean is an absolute DISH. I’m from the UK and only just had the pleasure. OMG (oh my god) he is beautiful! What a smile, what a Voice, Beautiful eyes. I want more!!!!
I think that izzy get a viral infection that goes to her brain. She comes in and out of consciousness/delerious but all the time, her dreams become reality for her and she believes that she and Denny are still an item and together.
I agree to all the people to bring Jeffrey Dean Morgan back, possibly in a dream of izzie’s, maybe of their wedding day! But Please, please, PLEASE, don’t make him an evil twin. Denny’s heart and his personality was what made him shine on Season 2, and it would absolutely be unmentionable to make him evil just to see Jeffrey on screen again! I love Jeffrey and all, and would love to see him again on Grey’s, but I don’t know if I could watch him as an evil person.