Sandra Oh changes her response about potentially returning toGrey’s Anatomy.For ten seasons, Oh played Cristina Yang in the long-running medical drama. However, her departure was announced in 2013, and season 10, episode 24, “Fear (Of the Unknown),” which aired in 2014, marked Cristina’s last episode.The star has been vocal about not wanting to return to the series, though her character still exists canonically in the franchise.
In an interview withEntertainment Weekly, Oh reflected on 20 years ofGrey’s Anatomyand offereda different response about returning. The actor admitted that while her answer had been “a hard no,” she was starting to reconsider, though she didn’t “feel the need to revisit.” Oh shared that she had “consciously” tried to put the character and her time onGrey’sbehind, but she still felt a little attached to the role. Check out what she said below:
I am glad for the show to use the character as they see fit. Absolutely. The character should still be there to service the story— and so, yay! As for actually physically inhabiting the character of Cristina and coming back…. For the longest time, it has always been a hard no. And it’s just…. I don’t know. I just don’t know. When you finish something, it’s a deep process…. I just cannot tell you…. I can’t stress to you enough how consciously I tried to fully process leaving. I don’t feel the need to revisit, but I also profoundly understand the audience’s love for this character, because I’ve seen it for the past 10 years. That’s the part that makes me just go,hmmm.
What Sandra Oh’s Comment Means For Grey’s Anatomy
Sandra Oh Left Grey’s Anatomy For A Reason
Oh initially commented on why she leftGrey’s Anatomyafter 10 seasons. She shared thatshe felt that she had fulfilled everything she wanted to achieve with the roleand wanted to pursue other opportunities that would challenge her as an actor and a creative. After the medical drama, she co-headlinedKilling Evealongside Jodie Comer while serving as an executive producer on the thriller series that follows MI6 agent Eve Polastri (Oh), who becomes obsessed withinternational assassin Villanelle(Comer).
Grey’s Anatomy’s Best Cristina Yang Quote Has A Deeper Meaning Than You Realized
One of Cristina Yang’s best and most memorable quotes from her time on Grey’s Anatomy has a deeper meaning and backstory than you probably realized.
In the same interview, Oh revealed that she initially auditioned for Miranda Bailey but felt drawn to the intern instead, so she asked to audition for the role. She also shared that the contract renegotiation around the time of season 8 served as a pivotal moment for her, andshe took the decision “very seriously.“After deciding to leave, she worked with the creative team to plan Cristina’s departure so that the character would have a proper farewell.
Our Take On Sandra Oh’s Possible Return In Grey’s Anatomy
Cristina Yang Is Being Missed Sorely
Oh leftGrey’s Anatomyafter careful consideration of her career. She has done so much in the past decade, and it seems that nostalgia, fans' love for the show, and the show’s legacy have started to work their magic with the actor. Shonda Rhimes' long-running medical drama has managed to bring back many beloved characters. Even actors who left on relatively bad terms get to reprise their roles.
There’s always a place for Cristina in theGrey’s Anatomyuniverse, and the choice is largely up to Oh. With Oh having second thoughts about returning, it seems that one day, it might just become a reality. It’s been a really long time sinceMeredith and Cristinahad a dance party, and it’d be phenomenal if it happened, even just in one scene.
