The actor may have left on his own accord, but not because he wanted to.
As many people today look back on Grey’s Anatomy through the lens of the current ethical standards that viewers hold for the media, the earlier seasons of the show are revealed to be much more questionable than they once seemed.
While some characters were guilty of some questionable actions or words, others should have been completely rewritten.
One of the prime examples of a character who would not be liked by anyone in 2023 is George O’Malley, one of the first 5 interns introduced to the audience at the beginning of season 1.
Viewers were led to believe that he was a kind and gentle guy who had a bit of bad luck when it c ame to dating, but in reality, he was nothing more than a typical Reddit-coded “nice guy.”
At times, George tried his best to charm the women around him, but he often came across as manipulative and insecure.
However, no one really expected him to leave so abruptly, with no way of coming back, since his character was dead.
T.R. Knight, the actor who portrayed George throughout his run, was involved in a conflict with another actor who was fired from the Grey’s Anatomy set that shook the media.
After his former co-star Isaiah Washington used a derogatory homophobic slur against Knight, he decided to come out to the press. And although everything was eventually resolved, the tension never went away.
The allegations Knight held against Shonda Rhimes, who, according to his claim, tried to dissuade the actor from coming out definitely added to the pressure:
“My five-year experience proved to me that I could not trust any answer that was given [about George]. And with respect, I’m going to leave it at that,” the actor commented on the situation to Entertainment Weekly.
Rhimes, however, denied the allegations, claiming that she didn’t show anything but support to the actor when he decided to go public with his statement.
Since leaving Grey’s Anatomy, the actor has continued to work in television, appearing in shows like The Good Wife and The Flight Attendant.
Grey’s Anatomy, on the other hand, continues to this day, with the 20th season expected to premiere on ABC in mid-season 2023/2024. Stay tuned for news and behind-the-scenes updates.
