Shonda Rhimes has finally broken her silence.
Ever since Grey's Anatomy actor Isaiah Washington was released from the series two weeks ago, the world surrounding TV's top drama has been in a state of and upheaval.
But Rhimes, in an interview with Access Hollywood Thursday (June 14), as reported by Entertainment Weekly, says she is happy with how Isaiah Washington's character's story ended.
"I feel like we wrote the show in a way that really completes the story of Preston Burke, and that is a really strong thing," she said.
Burke broke off his wedding to Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) and skipped out in the May 17 season finale of Grey's Anatomy.
The show will not recast the role with a new actor.
"I've said it before, I and I will say it again," Shonda Rhimes said. "I don't believe in replacing one actor with another. I think a replacement is a little bit odd in terms of somebody who has been on the show for three years."
The decision not to bring Washington back next season was the culmination of months of speculation after an ugly incident last fall, when the actor was accused of referring to co-star T.R. Knight by a gay slur in an on-set disagreement with castmate Patrick Dempsey.
Washington then reignited the turmoil when he dubiously repeated the slur in front of reporters backstage at the Golden Globes in January.
The embattled actor spoke publicly about his being let go for the first time earlier this week when he talked to EW.com.
"I'm saddened by the outcome," he said. "I did everything the producers and the network asked me to do. I came back under great duress and stress, and thought I was doing the job I was hired to do. I thought that was going to speak for my future at Grey's, but apparently that wasn't the same vision that the network and studio had for me."
Despite the controversy over Washington's remarks - and over the star being dismissed, Shonda Rhimes told Access Hollwood that she viewed Season 3 as a positive one for the show.
"We won the Golden Globe this year," Rhimes stated. "I think the show took itself to new heights this year, I think we explored different things for women this year, I think we have had amazing guest casts this year. I think it's been a sweet, sweet year for us."
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62 Comments
June 17th, 2007 9:17 AM
And the tap dance stll goes on. We've heard this over and over. It still does'nt clear up anything. It may have ended Burke and Cristina's relationship but not everything else. You can't take strong character's and have them all beat down like that. I mean there was'nt a happy person at the end of the finale. I know life is'nt perfect but it is'nt that depressing either not for that many people who are that close.
June 17th, 2007 10:15 AM
Well said Bonnie M.
June 17th, 2007 10:38 AM
Well said Bonnie M. And I will add this as well: The way she ended Burke's role was TERRIBLE.
June 17th, 2007 10:47 AM
I agree. She can hardly call it a complete story, if she ends a character like Burke in one episode. Now there isn't one solid relationship on the show (George & Callie don't count) and season 4 will all be about: Who sleeps with whom? Will they be together or not? It's getting old. I don't think I'll continue watching.
June 17th, 2007 11:25 AM
i agree. i dont think that burke running off on his wedding and the woman he loved so much he let her go was a good ending. its all up in the air and incomplete.
i also think that the show will suffer from not having the character of burke. not just because people will stop watching but because burke and the burke and cristina relationship was such an important piece of the show and he was such a strong character. i dont think letting washington go was an appropriate decision.
June 17th, 2007 11:57 AM
It was interesting to see what Shonda had to say on the home page about IW. There is not really a lot about the firing, but more about the show, story wise. I agree that the character of Burke does have some closure and it was a more dignified exit than being written out quickly in the middle of the season. I would have liked to see a final scene with Burke and Derek though. I really feel like they became close enough for them to need some closure. I will miss Burke and I am glad that he was around till the end and not just cut.
I think that season 4 will be about having theses characters move on and use the lessons of the last 3 seasons to make them more confident and secure in who they want to be.
June 17th, 2007 12:14 PM
So they knew all along that they would fire him! Or at least I get the feeling after reading this article.
It was really a badass move to led him to believe that there was still a chance! They could have told him way earlier that he would not come back for the next season!
Yeah, what can I say, I only watched GA because of Burke and his relation to Cristina! That is "so over" now, so thanks to ABC and their - excuse the word - fucking stupid decision I can stop counting the days to the beginning of the 4th season!
June 17th, 2007 12:24 PM
Yeah, Shonda, it's been a sweet, sweet year, but not for us, the fans. Why doesn't she say it is a terrible loss for Grey's? It is. Maybe it is the right decision for the sake of a peaceful production but still it is a loss and I would respect her more for admitting this. She always talked about symmetry and about those tiny hints and developments - there is no space for characters to leave if you go on that path. It was odd to see Addison leave and it is odd to think of Grey's without Burke.
June 17th, 2007 12:27 PM
I would wish more people stop viewing- maybe then the writers learn to not simply ignore the viewers opinion.
I mean, they made so many stupid moves which led to a lot of protest- just look at the comments on the writers blog. But Shonda still thinks she knows better- now look what happened to Grey's!
June 17th, 2007 1:04 PM
I was a huge fan. I am still undecided if I will be watching season 4. Season 3 was awful.... almost from the very get go.... it went way downhill after the January episdoes started. The writing staff obviously does not care for the opinions their fans share. I love the comment I read somwhere online about Shonda saying she burned down the house in the season 3 finale and a fan wrote that season 4 would then be nothing but ashes and smoke. KUDOS to that comment.