Grey’s Anatomy creator reveals major scandal on set almost 'killed the show'

The creator of Grey's Anatomy has opened up about a moment on set that is 'still talked about' by actors of the show, after she admitted those that were there at the time are still 'traumatised'.

Shonda Rhimes, the mastermind behind Shondaland, admitted the incident could have spelled the end of Grey's Anatomy forever as she spoke out in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

The producer and screenwriter has a ton of hit series on her roster including Scandal and Bridgerton, but she noted that an on-set incident in 2006 has never left her.

Shonda Rhimes opened up about a moment that could have been 'the end' for the medical drama. (Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)

It was actor Isaiah Washington who at the centre of the controversy. Washington played Dr. Preston Burke in the medical drama, but reportedly got into a physical altercation with co-star Patrick Dempsey.

The fight included the use of a homophobic slur towards another co-star, T.R. Knight, who played the beloved George O'Malley on the hit medical drama.

Ultimately, this led to Washington being fired from the show, but Rhimes worried at the time that it could well have been 'the end' of Grey's Anatomy altogether.

Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter, she said: "I think the thorn was having the bubble of joy burst so early on Grey’s [with the Washington incident].

"And not having anybody interested in helping us deal with it, because that really shaped a lot of how we looked at the world going forward."

Despite denying the claims, Washington later apologised for his actions. (Scott Garfield/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)

Reflecting on the incident, she added: "It’s funny, every Grey’s actor I talk to who was there during that time is still traumatised by that incident. People still talk about it."

Washington initially denied his use of the slur on set, but later admitted he had used it and apologised in 2007.

He released a statement via The Showbuzz, which said: "I apologise to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance.

"I can neither defend nor explain my behaviour. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help."

Rhimes also noted that she had learned a valuable lesson from this experience in the early days, as she said: "If you are the creative brain, you not only have to share your brain with other people, but also everybody looks to you as the leader.

"I had to figure out how to be a great leader, and that took a while."