Debbie Allen Reveals Catherine Fox's Unwavering Commitment to Richard Webber on 'Grey's Anatomy'

Debbie Allen Says Grey s Anatomy Character Catherine Fox Is Never Letting Richard Webber Go

ABC/Raymond Liu

Debbie Allen is confident that nothing can come between Grey's Anatomy power couple Catherine Fox and Richard Webber. Allen, 74, shared with us exclusively that she considers Webber to be her husband and is determined not to let him go anywhere. She stated, "He is not going too far away from me." Allen made these remarks while promoting her Gr8 Eye Movement campaign in collaboration with Prevent Blindness and Regeneron.

Catherine and Richard (James Pickens Jr.) have faced challenges on Grey’s Anatomy, such as cancer diagnoses and near-relapses, but their story continues with no end in sight.

“I started directing on Grey’s Anatomy in season 7, and then, [creator] Shonda [Rhimes] enjoyed the energy I brought. Then she said, ‘I’m going to put you in the show.’ And then Jim Pickens was like, ‘If she’s coming on the show, she needs to be with me,’” she recalled. “It’s developed into a wonderful relationship that the fans love and stories that they relate to.”

Allen and Pickens are very familiar with the characters' story lines on the show because they are considered the seniors. They believe that viewers can easily connect with the experiences their characters go through.

Allen joined the cast of Grey's Anatomy in 2011, while Pickens has been a part of the original cast since the show first aired in 2005. Their characters have been married since season 11 in 2015, and their love story will continue in season 20, which premiered on Thursday, March 14.

Grey's Anatomy season 20 will consist of just 10 episodes due to the SAG-AFTRA strike ending in November 2023. Allen hinted that viewers can expect each episode to be filled with exciting new characters, compelling storylines, and realistic medical scenarios.

Debbie Allen Says Grey s Anatomy Character Catherine Fox Is Never Letting Richard Webber Go

Allen mentioned that there are always some exciting medical cases on the show. She pointed out that some cases are so surprising that even the cast members are unaware of them at first. The actors sometimes learn about these cases as they film because the writers are constantly searching for new ideas.

Allen, besides her work in acting and directing on the Grey’s set, is dedicated to her own health. This commitment has led her to collaborate with Prevent Blindness and Regeneron, resulting in the creation of the Gr8 Eye Movement.

Speaking to Us about the Gr8 Eye Movement, Allen shared, “We received an amazing response from people across the country after its launch in September 2023. Our aim was to raise awareness about retinal diseases that can be particularly challenging for individuals, especially as they age.”

People like Allen, who are pre-diabetic, have become aware of wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Allen shared, "These were things I learned about because diabetes is prevalent in my family history. I have always been vigilant about it. It is a personal matter for me. Using my platform to promote being proactive, spreading awareness, and directing people to our website through The Gr8 Eye Movement campaign is a win-win situation for all."

Grey’s Anatomy airs on ABC Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET.

Editor's P/S:

Debbie Allen's unwavering determination to keep her on-screen husband, Richard Webber, close by is a testament to the enduring power of love and the importance