Grey's Anatomy Creator Turned Down Key Roles for Two Well-Known TV Stars

Summary

According to former showrunner Tony Phelan, creator Shonda Rhimes stuck to her vision for Grey's Anatomy and rejected established television stars for key roles.

Executives advocated for the inclusion of renowned actors, such as Rob Lowe from West Wing, to portray the character of Dr. Derek Shepherd, along with Kristin Chenoweth, also from West Wing, for the role of Dr. Miranda Bailey.

Rhimes expertly gathered a group of gifted theater actors, including Patrick Dempsey and Chandra Wilson, who showcased their exceptional skills in both comedic and dramatic performances.

Grey’s Anatomy creator, Shonda Rhimes, stuck to her vision for the series by rejecting two notable television stars for key roles. Despite being a long-standing hit on broadcast television and achieving high streaming numbers, Rhimes emphasized the importance of developing the main ensemble without specific actors in mind during the show's development in the 2000s. This approach faced some resistance from executives at ABC. Writer and producer, Tony Phelan, who later became co-showrunner with his wife Joan Rater for eight seasons, reflected on the early years of Grey's Anatomy in an interview with the Hollywood At Home With The Creative Coalition podcast. Phelan revealed that ABC executives wanted Rob Lowe and Kristin Chenoweth, both known for their roles in West Wing, to play the characters of Dr. Derek Shepherd and Dr. Miranda Bailey, respectively. However, Rhimes rejected their casting suggestions to stay true to her original vision.

In the early days of Grey's Anatomy, the cast was primarily made up of theater actors rather than those with previous television experience. The only cast member who was already a star was Patrick Dempsey, although it had been a while since he had been seen in that light. The network wanted a more established star to play a particular character, with Kristin Chenoweth considered for the role of Dr. Bailey. However, Shonda, the show creator, insisted on sticking with the original cast members. She had the ability to assemble a talented group of actors who were capable of both comedy and drama, seamlessly switching between the two genres.

Grey's Was Better Off With A More Unknown Cast

When it comes to casting for popular television shows, there is often a push to feature familiar faces. The belief is that having recognizable actors can benefit the show's advertising and help to attract a larger audience. However, it is important to note that some of the most beloved shows in recent years, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The X-Files, and Friends, have successfully relied on relatively unknown actors. Grey's Anatomy is another example of this phenomenon.

There are advantages to having a cast of lesser-known actors. It allows them to fully embody their characters without any preconceived attachments to other roles, just like Ellen Pompeo did with her portrayal of Meredith Grey, one of television's most memorable doctors. The same can be said for Chandra Wilson's portrayal of the no-nonsense Dr. Bailey, who has become a guiding presence in the entire Grey's franchise.

Moreover, opting for lesser-known actors has the added advantage of allowing the audience to establish a connection with them and witness their professional growth. This phenomenon has been observed with various cast members of Grey's Anatomy since the show first aired in 2005. Granted, this doesn't imply that established actors cannot contribute value, particularly when it comes to showcasing different talents and defying expectations. Nonetheless, it is crucial to avoid overestimating the significance of factors such as fan preferences and network executive recommendations.

Source: Hollywood At Home With The Creative Coalition