Featured Image Credit: ABC
Topics: Grey's Anatomy, TV And Film, Celebrity, Entertainment
Ella Scott
It’s unbelievable to think that Sandra Oh left Grey’s Anatomy ten years ago - but thankfully her exit was less tragic than some of her co-stars.
In 2005, the world was introduced to the fiery and competitive surgical intern, Cristina Yang (played by Oh) for the first time.
Alongside characters Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo), Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl), George O’Malley (T. R. Knight) and Alex Karev (Justin Chambers), Yang quickly became a fan favourite and loyally served on Grey’s for ten seasons.
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However, in May 2014, Yang hung up her lab coat once and for all and said farewell to Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital in the series ten finale, 'Fear (of the Unknown)'.
The departure was brought about after her former fiancé Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) invited her to Switzerland and offered her a job at the Klausman Institute for Medical Research.
At the time of her departure, Oh, 53, revealed she wanted a new challenge after being at the helm of Shonda Rhimes’ medical drama for the best part of a decade.
In a statement, she wrote: “It's been a great privilege to play the character of Cristina Yang on GA and I am both sad and excited to see where this, her final season will take her.
"It was an emotional and deeply creative decision for me and I feel fully supported by Shonda Rhimes and the writers.
“It's so rare in an actor's life to be able to explore and grow a character so fully, so completely. I am profoundly grateful to everyone at GA for the opportunity.”
Of course, Yang's exit from Grey's makes sense where her character is concerned.
The doctor was always striving to better herself and when the opportunity arose to change the world, she grabbed it with both hands and ran.
But else what makes Oh’s exit from Grey’s so unique?
Well, her character wasn’t killed off like so many other main cast members.
Instead, she had the opportunity to say her farewells and drive off into the distance to enjoy a brand-new, success-filled life.
Of course, fans of Grey’s will already be aware that this is a rarity as writers on the show like to end characters’ lives on a dramatic note.
For example, O’Malley tragically died after being hit by a bus; Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) died in a traumatic plane crash; Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) had his life support turned off.
Of course, there are so many more, but Oh’s Yang being sent away on good terms is a breath of fresh air.
It also means the door remains firmly ajar for her to make a long-awaited return.
Earlier this year, the Canadian was asked whether we could see her reprise the iconic character soon - and her response may surprise some fans.
Speaking on the red carpet of HBO’s The Sympathizer, Oh told Entertainment Tonight: "I love that people are still [fans].
"I love that you asked me that, because Cristina Yang is, of course, near and dear to my heart. [But] I will say, not anytime soon, my love.”
Grey’s Anatomy series 21 is set to premiere on ABC and Hulu on Thursday, September 26.