'Grey's Anatomy' Creator: Smith Not Fired for Playing a Lesbian

Copyright 2008 Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images
"Grey's Anatomy" creator Shonda Rhimes is commenting on the recent dismissal of actress Brooke Smith from the hit ABC show.

In an Entertainment Weekly article, Smith told the mag, "I was very excited when they told me that [my character] Erica and [Sara Ramirez's character] Callie were going to have this relationship. And I really hoped we were going to show what happens when two women fall in love and that they were going to treat it like any heterosexual couple on TV. And so I was surprised and disappointed when they just suddenly told me that they couldn't write for my character anymore."

For her part, Rhimes said in a statement to "The Insider," "Brooke Smith was obviously not fired for playing a lesbian. Clearly it's not an issue as we have a lesbian character on the show -- Calliope Torres. Sara Ramirez is an incredible comedic and dramatic actress and we wanted to be able to play up her magic. Unfortunately, we did not find that the magic and chemistry with Brooke's character would sustain in the long run. The impact of the Callie/Erica relationship will be felt and played out in a story for Callie. I believe it belittles the relationship to simply replace Erica with 'another lesbian.' If you'll remember, Cristina mourned the loss of Burke for a full season."

Published 11/4/08 by the Insider

Comments (9)

  • orLogin
  • Dear Shonda, My friends and I have been loyal Grey's fans since the beginning. Your writing and story lines have been thought provoking and intelligent up until the last several months. Izzie's sleeping with a spirit is stupid and boring. His...
    Anonymous 11/28/08 Reply
  • It definitely lacked chemistry! This is my favorite show and I liked the story line but no connection was there.
    Anonymous 11/24/08 Reply
  • I was fast forwarding through these sick scenes. I'm not going
    to change my views just because it's on TV. Just as in the marches,
    you are preaching to the choir, Yes, God is loving but he has laws
    to follow. You can cry civil rights, "oh you're...
    Anonymous 11/11/08 Reply
  • Bullcrap.
    Rhimes should be ashamed of lying through her false teeth like that.
    Anonymous 11/5/08 Reply
  • Thank God! I'm so sick and tired of homosexuality being shoved down the throats of the American people! Hollywood is desperate to make it normal, and guess what? The voters have spoken. It is NOT normal and that message needs to be conveyed LOUD and...
    Anonymous 11/5/08 Reply
  • Why does everyone think Angelina is so great, I think she is a home wrecker.
    DorisN 11/4/08 Reply
  • I totally agree that the coming out seen was exceptionally played and written. But Grey's fans tend to react to chemistry, and a lot of people felt the relationship lacked chemistry. Some will argue that is inherently a homophobic opinion. Hard to...
    tvfannyc 11/4/08 Reply
  • I really enjoyed Brooke Smith on the show and thought Hahn's "coming out" scene was bryllant. It's hard not to question the reasoning of her termination right after the character comes to terms with being gay.
    Anonymous 11/4/08 Reply
  • Bullcrap. You're not fooling anyone, Shonda. This was total homophobia.
    Anonymous 11/4/08 Reply