The ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy follows surgical students in the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital through their internship and residency. They lean on, compete with, and become romantically entangled with each other.

• Several cast shake-ups have occurred on the show, starting with the 2007 controversial remarks made by Isiah Washington regarding co-star T.R. Knight's sexual orientation. Washington was subsequently released from his contract. Brooke Smith joined the cast as Dr. Erica Hahn for season five but was fired a few months later. Smith's last appearance was in the November 6, 2008 episode. Then, in December 2008, it was reported by the gossip blog, Just Jared, that T.R. Knight quit after he allegedly walked off the set. However, Entertainment Weekly reported that Knight did not storm off the set but did request to be released from his contract, a request ABC and Shonda Rhimes are reportedly considering.EW: T.R. Knight Negotiating Grey's Anatomy Exit (December 9, 2008)

Entertainment Weekly reports that Melissa George shot her last episode of the program in January 2009.Entertainment Weekly: Melissa George Checks Out (January 12, 2009)

During a particularly grueling day on set Isiah Washington was allegedly heard to use a particular slur in the direction soon to be openly gay cast member T.R. Knight. A fist fight between cast member Patrick Dempsey and Washington erupted. Later Washington denied using any slur, but apologized for the incident. During the Golden Globe Awards Washington publicly shouted the word. Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes and ABC sent Washington to rehab to work out his anger issues. At the end of television season, his contract was not renewed. He was written out of the script when his character left Sandra Oh's at the alter.

• Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
• Patrick Dempsey as Dr. Derek Shepherd
• Katherine Heigl as Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens
• Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
• T.R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley
• Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Baily
• Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
• James Pickens Jr as Dr. Richard Webber
• Sara Ramirez as Dr. Callie Torres
• Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan
• Chyler Leigh as Dr. Lexie Grey
• Brooke Smith as Dr. Erica Hahn
• Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Montgomery
• Isaiah Washington as Dr. Preston Burke