Grey's Anatomy Cast

Grey's Anatomy is an American medical drama that centers on the personal and professional lives of attendings, residents, and surgical interns at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital, which was subsequently renamed the Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. The pilot was written by Shonda Rhimes, who also served as executive producer, head writer, and showrunner until her departure in 2015. ABC debuted the series as a mid-season replacement on March 27, 2005.

The show centers on Dr. Meredith Grey (Pompeo) for most of its run, following her journey from surgical intern to fully certified physician to the chief of general surgery at the hospital. Throughout the series, there have been significant changes to the cast.

Grey’s Anatomy's Original Main Cast

Ellen Pompeo

Actress Ellen Kathleen Pompeo was born in the United States on November 10, 1969. She was chosen to play the titular character, Dr. Meredith Grey, in ABC's hit medical drama. Her performance brought her international acclaim, and Pompeo became one of the most well-known television actresses due to the character's widespread popularity.

Patrick Dempsey

American actor and racing driver Patrick Galen Dempsey was born on January 13, 1966. His most well-known performance was in the ABC medical drama series as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek "McDreamy" Shepherd. Dempsey's role as Dr. Shepherd opposite Ellen Pompeo gained him wide popularity. Dempsey left the show after 11 seasons.

In a dream situation during the two-part season 17 premiere of Grey's Anatomy, Dempsey returned to his role as Derek. Throughout the season, he made a few more appearances, making his brief but significant reappearance to the show.

James Pickens Jr.

Actor James Pickens Jr. was born in the United States on October 26, 1952 or 1954. Pickens was chosen to play Dr. Richard Webber in the ABC medical drama, in 2005. He is one of the remaining original cast members in the show since its debut in 2005.

Chandra Wilson

Actress and director Chandra Danette Wilson was born in the United States on August 27, 1969. When Wilson tried out for Grey's Anatomy pilot, she used to work at a bank. She was chosen to play Miranda Bailey, who was originally supposed to be a Caucasian woman with blonde hair. She is one of the remaining original cast members in the show since its debut in 2005.

Sandra Oh

Sandra Miju Oh is an American and Canadian actress, born on July 20, 1971. Oh was chosen to play Cristina Yang in the first season of Grey's Anatomy, the ABC medical drama that became an instant hit. Throughout the show’s run since its debut on March 27, 2005, Oh’s character, Cristina has remained one of the most important characters even after she bid farewell to the show after 10 seasons.

Katherine Heigl

Actress Katherine Heigl is an American actress. She portrayed Dr. Izzie Stevens in the medical drama Grey's Anatomy on ABC television from 2005 until 2010. Heigl got the part of Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens, a medical intern, which would turn out to be her most well-known performance to date. She gained several awards for her role as Izzie Stevens. Heigl bid farewell to the show after 6 seasons.

Justin Chambers

American actor and former model Justin Willman Chambers was born on July 11, 1970. In August 2004, Chambers was offered the role of surgical intern Alex Karev in the American medical drama. Chambers’ character in Grey’s had an impacting growth since his debut. He abruptly left the show during the 16th season.

T.R. Knight

Actor Theodore Raymond Knight was born in the United States on March 26, 1973. Knight was cast as a surgical intern on Grey's Anatomy in 2005. He played the role of his career as Dr. George O'Malley in the American medical drama. Knight quit the show after 5 seasons as a regular. He later appeared once as a guest star in the 17th season’s 4th episode.

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington IV is an American actor and producer who was born on August 3, 1963. Washington devised the character of Dr. Preston Burke, a talented cardiothoracic surgeon, for the ABC medical drama in 2005. He rose to prominence in the series, but he was fired because of an alleged dispute with another cast member.

Burke reappears once in Season 10 while managing a cardiothoracic research hospital in Zurich, Switzerland. Cristina is asked to talk about her studies by him. Burke allows her to take over his hospital, which is his real motivation for bringing her to Zürich. By accepting the opportunity, Cristina opens a new and important chapter in her professional life.

Grey’s Anatomy's other cast

Here is a list of all the other cast and characters in the medical drama: