Debbie Allen Talks Intern Challenges in 'Grey's Anatomy' Season Premiere: Catherine Keeps a Close Eye (Exclusive)

Debbie Allen Says Catherine Fox Has Eyes on Interns in Grey Anatomy

Disney/Nino Muñoz

Dr. Catherine Fox is making a comeback on Grey's Anatomy season 20, according to Debbie Allen. She is now in charge of training the interns at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

Debbie Allen, 74, shared with us exclusively while talking about Prevent Blindness and Regeneron's Gr8 Eye Movement campaign on March 14th, that this season is going to be exciting. She mentioned that the first episode of the season starts off with a bang.

In the season 19 finale that aired in May 2023, we witnessed Kim Raver's character Teddy Altman collapsing in the operating room. Owen Hunt, played by Kevin McKidd, was there by her side while the interns were left to deal with the situation of a body on the operating table.

Allen hinted at the interns being in trouble, even in the teases. This implies that Catherine Fox is closely monitoring their every move.

Grey's season 20 has been shortened to 10 episodes due to the SAG-AFTRA strike ending in December 2023. However, Allen assures fans that each episode is filled with new characters, compelling stories, and realistic medical situations.

There are some significant changes in Grey's this season. The new showrunner, Meg Marinis, is highly praised by Allen. Although Ellen Pompeo is no longer a series regular, her presence is still evident in the show. Allen even mentioned filming with Pompeo before speaking with Us.

Along with playing Catherine, a role she’s held since 2011, Allen is “busy directing” and “helping to supervise casting scripts” while on set.

Debbie Allen Says Catherine Fox Has Eyes on Interns in Grey Anatomy

Regeneron/Prevent Blindness

"There are some exciting medical developments on the horizon. Some are truly remarkable and unexpected," she said. "We often discover them as we go along, as our researchers are constantly exploring new possibilities."

Real doctors are always on set for Grey’s Anatomy to provide input on medical scenarios. Allen shared with Us that this is deliberate.

“A large number of individuals gain knowledge about medical conditions from watching Grey’s Anatomy. They have learned a great deal,” the actress mentioned. “Therefore, I understand its significance.”

Allen always prioritizes her own health while working on medical storylines for Grey’s Anatomy. In September 2023, she collaborated with Prevent Blindness and Regeneron to launch the Gr8 Eye Movement. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the risks of serious retinal diseases such as wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), diabetic macular edema (DME), and diabetic retinopathy (DR).

According to Allen, the concept of truth has become subjective. She emphasizes the importance of accessing accurate and honest information to protect oneself. Retinal diseases are severe, but there are preventive measures that individuals can take. It is crucial not to simply attribute these conditions to a normal part of aging.

Allen herself was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, which inspired her to create the campaign. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing eye health on the eighth of every month with regular checkups.

Diabetes runs in Allen's family, making this cause personal to her. She believes in using her celebrity status to raise awareness about being proactive in taking care of our eyes. The Gr8 Eye Movement campaign aims to provide information and encourage people to visit their website, creating a win-win situation for all.

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

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming season of Grey's Anatomy promises to be a thrilling ride, with the return of fan-favorite Dr. Catherine Fox and a host of new medical dramas. As Debbie Allen, who plays Fox, hinted, the season kicks off with a bang, leaving interns in hot water. The arrival of Fox as their new trainer adds an extra layer of tension to the already chaotic world of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.

While the season has been shortened due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, Allen assures us that each episode will be packed with compelling stories, new characters, and realistic medical scenarios. The presence of real doctors on set ensures the accuracy of the medical storylines, which have become an important source of medical knowledge for viewers. Allen's involvement in the Gr8 Eye Movement campaign, which aims to raise awareness about retinal diseases, further demonstrates her commitment to using her platform for good. while providing engaging entertainment makes it a valuable resource for both entertainment and health awareness.