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Katherine Heigl Sits Down With Ellen Pompeo To Reflect On Her Dramatic 'Grey's Anatomy' Exit
Two former Grey's Anatomy stars sat down for one of Variety's Actors On Actors sessions.
It allowed the former costars to catch up and clear the air on what led one to leave mid-season in the sixth season of the successful, 19-seasons-and-counting, medical drama.
Ellen Pompeo—who played the titular Meredith Grey and just wrapped after 19 seasons—sat down with actor Katherine Heigl, whose character Izzie was part of the original set of surgical interns on the show.
Heigl left abruptly in the middle of season 6, after speaking up about working conditions on set. That decision would color her career, but was upsetting to fans at the time.
Pompeo and Heigl talked for nearly an hour, reflecting on their time on Grey's and that dramatic exit.
You can see an excerpt here:
\u201c"That was emotional for everybody." Ellen Pompeo and Katherine Heigl talk about Izzie's exit from #GreysAnatomy. #ActorsOnActors https://t.co/lemCD7waYL\u201d— Variety (@Variety) 1686066000
Support for both Heigl and Pompeo poured in after the interview aired.
\u201c@KatieHeigl @Variety Loved the interview. Love you both. \ud83d\udc96\u201d— Katherine Heigl (@Katherine Heigl) 1686084265
\u201c@KatieHeigl @Variety my girls\u201d— Katherine Heigl (@Katherine Heigl) 1686084265
\u201c@KatieHeigl @Variety This was such a delightful interview to watch, I loved it SO much, you both are way too beautiful, inspiring, powerful and talented women \u2764\ufe0f\u2728\u201d— Katherine Heigl (@Katherine Heigl) 1686084265
For those who were Grey's fans from the get-go and really liked Heigl's character Izzie, this sit down was healing.
\u201c@KatieHeigl @Variety this interview healed my soul a little bit \ud83e\udd79 very grateful for you katie!!!!\u201d— Katherine Heigl (@Katherine Heigl) 1686084265
\u201c14-15 year old me is having a day\u201d— Fernanda (@Fernanda) 1686095144
Others spoke to the specifics of the interview.
Heigl was able to respond to her characterization as "difficult to work with" after her departure from Grey's.
\u201cLove how they TACKLED #GreysAnatomy's popularity & downside! And before social media, they had to deal with the fallout of Katherine Heigl (Izzy Steven) departure! Tbh, I think it was a relief to her to hear that she wasn't "the problem" #ActorsOnActors #variety\u201d— \ud83e\udd17\ud83e\udd17\ud83e\udd17 (@\ud83e\udd17\ud83e\udd17\ud83e\udd17) 1686095628
\u201c@KatieHeigl @Variety Thank you! As a mouthy woman myself, I feel validated and human just by hearing your experience. \ud83e\udd0d\u201d— Katherine Heigl (@Katherine Heigl) 1686084265
This conversation had many people thinking about reunions they'd like to see.
\u201cthe reunion we all waited for\u201d— aysia (@aysia) 1686112223
\u201c@KatieHeigl @Variety This will be amazing I'm sure, will be adding to my watch list. Miss the OG Greys crew \ud83e\udd70\u201d— Katherine Heigl (@Katherine Heigl) 1686084265
\u201cahhhh OG grey\u2019s anatomy cast reunion when \ud83d\ude2b\u201d— chin \u2740 (@chin \u2740) 1686111324
The full Actors On Actors episode can be watched here: