The Hollywood Reporter: What was your reaction when you heard Sandra Oh would
not be returning? Were you surprised?
Shonda Rhimes: I know Sandra pretty well. It was one of those things where I so wished it wasn't true for many reasons. For me, as a human being, I love spending time with Sandra, and as a writer, writing for Sandra is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I would hope that it wouldn't be happening -- but I also know Sandra, and I know that it's time for her to have new challenges. I get to have new challenges all the time because I get to create other shows, but she doesn't get to do that, so I fully understood it.
THR: Are you expecting any other cast departures besides Sandra? Would you like to keep the rest of the original six (Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr., Chandra Wilson, Justin Chambers) beyond season 10?
Rhimes: I have no idea at this time. Everybody has different factors that influence whether they want to stay or go, none of which is they don't want to be there. Everybody really wants to be there. It's a family at this point; everyone is very close- knit. Everybody who is there is somebody who is really happy to be there. Everybody has their different reasons. For Sandra, it was about her desire to stretch herself as actor. For everyone else, we'll see. Everyone has different factors: people have families, some love the stability, some will not love the stability. It depends. I'd have all of them until the end of time. I joked with Ellen that one day her daughter Stella is going to play Meredith Grey and my daughter will run the show. (Laughs). I want everybody for as long as they want to stay.
Read full interview at THR
Shonda Rhimes: I know Sandra pretty well. It was one of those things where I so wished it wasn't true for many reasons. For me, as a human being, I love spending time with Sandra, and as a writer, writing for Sandra is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I would hope that it wouldn't be happening -- but I also know Sandra, and I know that it's time for her to have new challenges. I get to have new challenges all the time because I get to create other shows, but she doesn't get to do that, so I fully understood it.
THR: Are you expecting any other cast departures besides Sandra? Would you like to keep the rest of the original six (Patrick Dempsey, Ellen Pompeo, James Pickens Jr., Chandra Wilson, Justin Chambers) beyond season 10?
Rhimes: I have no idea at this time. Everybody has different factors that influence whether they want to stay or go, none of which is they don't want to be there. Everybody really wants to be there. It's a family at this point; everyone is very close- knit. Everybody who is there is somebody who is really happy to be there. Everybody has their different reasons. For Sandra, it was about her desire to stretch herself as actor. For everyone else, we'll see. Everyone has different factors: people have families, some love the stability, some will not love the stability. It depends. I'd have all of them until the end of time. I joked with Ellen that one day her daughter Stella is going to play Meredith Grey and my daughter will run the show. (Laughs). I want everybody for as long as they want to stay.
Read full interview at THR
The Hollywood Reporter: Were you surprised to hear that Sandra Oh was leaving?
Kevin McKidd: Sandra and I have been friends for as long as we've worked together, so I had a feeling it might be coming and that it was the right time for her. Selfishly, I was hoping and wishing she might make a different choice and decide to stay because I love working with her. I've had the great fortune and luck to be her acting partner and for her to be my acting partner for the last half a decade. It wasn't a surprise; I was aware of where she's at but was wishing and hoping that despite all that she might stick around so I might get to still act with her. It wasn't a surprise, but I was still sad when she told me.
THR: What was your conversation with Sandra like when she told you?
McKidd: It wasn't a long conversation; I just got really sad. I'm really happy for her, too, because it's the right thing for her right now, too, to take that new step forward in her life and career. She's an amazing talent. She has so many parts that she needs to play and work she needs to tackle, so it's obviously the right time for her. I'm happy for her, but I'm sad for me. (Laughs.)
Read full interview at THR
Kevin McKidd: Sandra and I have been friends for as long as we've worked together, so I had a feeling it might be coming and that it was the right time for her. Selfishly, I was hoping and wishing she might make a different choice and decide to stay because I love working with her. I've had the great fortune and luck to be her acting partner and for her to be my acting partner for the last half a decade. It wasn't a surprise; I was aware of where she's at but was wishing and hoping that despite all that she might stick around so I might get to still act with her. It wasn't a surprise, but I was still sad when she told me.
THR: What was your conversation with Sandra like when she told you?
McKidd: It wasn't a long conversation; I just got really sad. I'm really happy for her, too, because it's the right thing for her right now, too, to take that new step forward in her life and career. She's an amazing talent. She has so many parts that she needs to play and work she needs to tackle, so it's obviously the right time for her. I'm happy for her, but I'm sad for me. (Laughs.)
Read full interview at THR
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