Katherine Heigl Tears Up Talking About Her Former Co-Stars In Grey's Anatomy At The Emmys

The recently concluded 75th Emmy Awards have left fans buzzing with excitement over the star-studded evening. Amid the glamour and accolades on the red carpet, it was a moment of nostalgia that truly stood out. The cherished cast of the long-running medical drama, Grey’s Anatomy, gathered on stage, creating a heartwarming reunion that resonated with fans. At the 75th Emmy Awards, Katherine Heigl, known for her role in the show and a past controversial exit, joined fellow cast members Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, James Pickens Jr., and Chandra Wilson.

Ttalking to the media before the cast went together on stage, in a candid moment, Katherine expressed her joy, stating, “Oh, I am so glad. That is why we do it but it is also fun for us.”

Reflecting on the reunion, she described it as a stroll down memory lane. “It’s this odd, nostalgic walk down memory lane. I mean I haven’t seen Chandra and Jim in 15 years. I haven’t seen Justin in maybe 10. I did just see Ellen a year ago or so, but we don’t get to see each other much. These are people that mean a lot to me, meant a lot to me. I had seven years, 24–31, those are pretty intense years of young womanhood — and those were with them.”

Her voice cracked as she added, “I really miss them and yeah, it is nice to be here.”

Notably, Katherine had won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2007, becoming one of the few actors, along with Loretta Devine, to receive this recognition for their time on Grey’s Anatomy.

The Emmys played a significant role in discussions surrounding Katherine’s departure, as she had reportedly withdrawn from the 2008 Emmys race due to concerns about the material’s quality.

At the evening of the 2024 Emmy Awards, as the show celebrated its enduring success as the longest primetime medical drama, Ellen acknowledged its impact, saying, “When the first episode of Grey’s Anatomy aired in March of 2005, I’m not sure if Shonda Rhimes knew that she had created a show that would have a lasting imprint on television and create lifelong friendships.”

Highlighting the steadfast fanbase, Katherine noted, “But the one constant is the amazing fanbase.” Chandra continued, “You stayed with us through plane crashes, superstorms, earthquakes, and a global pandemic, and as we start our 20th season, we are officially the longest-running primetime medical drama in TV history.” James concluded, expressing gratitude to the fans.

Watch the cast together on stage here:

The American drama series, premiering on March 27, 2005, follows surgical interns and their supervisors on a medical journey filled with heart-wrenching stories and life-changing decisions. Now, as it gears up for its 20th season, Grey’s Anatomy holds the distinction of being the longest-running primetime medical drama in television history.