The series Grey’s Anatomy is one of the biggest hits of recent years, but Katherine Heigl and Ellen Pompeo have revealed that it risked not making it to the screens.
Grey’s Anatomyone of the most successful series of the last two decades, was almost never aired. Ellen Pompeo e Katherine Heiglduring a conversation organized by Varietyshared anecdotes about the medical drama and the years they spent on the set.
The memories of the two protagonists
Ellen Pompeo, speaking with her colleague, recalled that initially among the ranks of ABC there was not much faith in Grey’s Anatomy, the medical drama created by Shonda Rhimes. Katherine Heigl had indeed underlined: “I remember being nervous that it wouldn’t be on the air. There was a moment when it wasn’t clear. He didn’t like it“.
Meredith’s interpreter explained: “We’re going to be really nice and not mention the executive who almost let Shonda Rhimes slip. She won’t tell, but she almost didn’t air the pilot! You can do your research and find out who she was. Try to imagine that she is that person“.
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An unexpected success
Based on the story of the protagonist, the “culprit” could be Stephen McPherson, the president of ABC Entertainment who was rather against the production of the series. The show is currently at its 19-season mark and will return next season despite Ellen Pompeo taking time off from the show, remaining involved as a narrator and producer on the show.
Ellen, speaking with Katherine, also recalled the reaction to the debut of the series: “It had aired Sunday night after Desperate Housewives. On Monday morning we had the last day of filming for the first season. We got to work and everyone was freaking out. Viewership figures were high“.