Grey’s Anatomy fans are going to get a blast from the distant past this May. As Sandra Oh prepares to leave the series at the end of season 10, ABC has announced that original cast member Isaiah Washington will reprise is role as Dr. Preston Burke.
Grey’s Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes said that Burke’s return is important to say farewell to Cristina. “Burke is vital to that journey — he gives her story that full-circle moment we need to properly say goodbye to our beloved Cristina Yang.”
Burke was Cristina’s first love interest on the show as well as her teacher, the cardio surgeon whose brilliance inspired her to follow that career path. Their relationship was rocky, including a miscarriage, but they eventually got engaged. However, Burke left Cristina at the altar when he realized that it would never work out.
Washington left Grey’s Anatomy after season 3 in 2007, which coincided with controversial reports over his use of homophobic slurs on the set around openly gay co-star T.R. Knight.
Now, seven years later, he will finally return in one of the final episodes of season 10 this May. You can also see Washington on the new CW drama The 100, premiering Wednesday, March 17 at 9pm.
Grey’s Anatomy airs Thursdays at 9pm on ABC.
(Image courtesy of ABC)
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John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire Diaries, Supernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.
