Grey’s Anatomy Fans can collectively agree on one thing: Sandra Oh was meant to play Cristina Yang. The now-Killing Eva Star caught everyone’s attention the instant he appeared in the Shondaland pilot. But it turns out Oh didn’t originally audition for the iconic role. Instead, she went looking for Miranda Bailey, who then went to Chandra Wilson. This is how Oh knew that Cristina was the perfect one Grey’s Anatomy part of his career.
Sandra Oh originally auditioned for Miranda Bailey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
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In 2006, Oh revealed that she auditioned for Bailey before being cast as Cristina in Grey’s Anatomy.
“I auditioned for Bailey first,” he said during the show’s PaleyFest LA panel. “And that god I didn’t understand that part. Can you imagine not having [Chandra Wilson]? Forget this.”
Oh, then he shared that he wanted to practice asking what he wanted during his Grey’s Anatomy hearing. So when he gravitated toward Cristina, the actor told creator Shonda Rhimes, executive producer Betsey Beers, and director Peter Horton that he wanted to play the person of Meredith Gray (Ellen Pompeo).
So, as they say, the rest was history. Oh, I went on to portray Cristina in Grey’s Anatomy for 10 seasons
Sandra Oh explains why she wanted to play Cristina Yang about Miranda Bailey in ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
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When you talk to The Hollywood Reporter Chatter Awards On the podcast in July 2020, Oh delved into why she wanted to play Cristina about Bailey, who was, at the time, described as “the little blonde.” And although the actor had nothing against the character, Oh didn’t want to play an authority figure.
“I originally went for the role of Dr. Bailey. I really auditioned. ” Grey’s Anatomy alum said. “At the time, I wanted to change my career in the way of … I don’t want to play a person of authority.”
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She continued: “I felt at that time, because I had played an assistant, who was still in his 20s and 30s, people thought he was much older. So, in a thoughtful and strategic way, I said, ‘I don’t want to play a person of authority.’ I want to play junior. Because at that time, the only other part that was open was for Cristina. “
Oh also admitted that he wanted to play Meredith’s counterpart.
“This was the most interesting part for me because she was the foil,” said Oh. “[Cristina] It was on the other side of the lock and Meredith Gray’s key. I thought, ‘I want to play that part.’ She was also very tough and I liked her assertiveness and I liked her spikes. “
Will Sandra Oh ever return to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ as Cristina Yang?
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Oh’s reasoning for wanting to play Cristina coincides with why the public fell in love with Grey’s Anatomy character. So it’s no wonder fans were ripped apart when the actor left the Shondaland series after 10 years. But still, Oh is unlikely to return to the show anytime soon.
“Creatively, you have moved,” Oh told Extra TV when asked if he would return for a cameo in Grey’s. “As long as I know, and I deeply appreciate … how much [fans] I love Cristina and how the program keeps Cristina alive, for me, Killing Eva it is my home now This is where I am I am Eva and that is where I plan to stay while the program has me. And that’s where I really want to be. “
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