‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ is one of the most successful medical drama series. The initial ensemble cast featured Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey, Sandra Oh, T.R. Knight, Katherine Heigl, Chandra Wilson, and Justine Chambers. The cast has undergone major changes through the years. By the time season 19 was released, the show featured a cast of 17 actors, out of which only three were from the original cast – Ellen Pompeo, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickins. Jr. The show now has three spin-offs: ‘Private Practice‘, ‘Grey’s Anatomy- B team‘, and ‘Station 19′.
‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ doesn’t have all to do with Meredith Grey, instead, it is an allusion to ‘Gray’s Anatomy‘, a famous book on human anatomy written by Henry Gray. The show focuses on the lives of interns, residents, and attendings in their journey of becoming seasoned doctors and how they juggle their relationships and careers. Over a period of time, ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ started killing off its main characters. The death of George O’Malley, played by T.R. Knight, marked the first of many deaths of the original characters.
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The Behind-The-Scenes Drama Of George O’Malley’s Death On ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
For those who have followed ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ since season one, it is impossible to forget the first group of residents headed by Dr. Miranda Bailey. Since season one George O’Malley became everyone’s favorite till his demise. Initially, he struggled a bit but later became a very skilled and talented surgeon with the support of his best friend Izzie Stevens played by Katherine Heigl. Just as fans were warming up to him, the show killed him off early leaving them shocked. O’Malley faced a very tragic ending, but it was the behind-the-scenes drama that drove Knight to leave the series.
Season six, episode one, ‘Good Mourning’ witnessed the death of our beloved character. Just when George seemed to have found his path in medicine as a trauma surgeon, he suddenly decided to join the U.S. Army in Iraq, leaving Seattle Grace at the end of season five. Chief Richard Webber gave him the last day off so he could spend time with his family. Unfortunately on his way home, he jumped in front of a bus to save a woman’s life which left him severely disfigured. When brought in, none of the doctors recognized George and labeled him as ‘John Doe’. Until he managed to trace “007” on Meredith’s hand and rechecked for a Texas-shaped freckle by Calli Torres, his wife. Derek Shepherd and the rest tried to prevent George’s death, but his brain swelled during surgery, and he was declared brain dead.
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George O’Malley’s Return To The Show
George O’Malley’s demise left the fans heartbroken and disappointed, but his return for a cameo appearance stirred up excitement among the fans. Knight’s Grey’s season six departure was announced in June 2009, and he revealed to EW not long after that the reason behind it was a gradual “breakdown of communication” between him and Rhimes, who he also said tried to discourage him from coming out. This led him not to ask what was going on with George’s storylines anymore, and he simply asked to be released from his contract. In addition, Knight wasn’t comfortable with the storyline where George cheated on his wife, Callie Torres with Izzie.
While T.R. Knight found peace in George O’Malley’s death and his decision to exit ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ in season six, the actor and character have not returned since. In season 15, George O’Malley made a posthumous return in the episode ‘Flowers Grow Out of My Grave,’ briefly appearing as a ghost who visits Meredith Grey on the Day of the Dead. He later reprised his ‘Grey’s Anatomy‘ role in season 17, appearing in one of Meredith’s unconscious beach visions while suffering from COVID-19, in which they reflect on George O’Malley’s season six demise.
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