entertainment / Tuesday, 26-Aug-2025

“Makes Me Just Go, Hmm…”: Christina’s Potential Grey’s Anatomy Return Addressed By Sandra Oh, Who Admits Her Stance Has Softened After Years Of “Hard No”

Sandra Oh changes her response about potentially returning to Grey's Anatomy. For ten seasons, Oh played Cristina Yang in the long-running medical drama. However, her departure was announced in 2013, and season 10, episode 24, "Fear (Of the Unknown)," which aired in 2014, marked Cristina's last episode. The star has been vocal about not wanting to return to the series, though her character still exists canonically in the franchise.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Oh reflected on 20 years of Grey's Anatomy and offered a different response about returning. The actor admitted that while her answer had been "a hard no," she was starting to reconsider, though she didn't "feel the need to revisit." Oh shared that she had "consciously" tried to put the character and her time on Grey's behind, but she still felt a little attached to the role. Check out what she said below:

I am glad for the show to use the character as they see fit. Absolutely. The character should still be there to service the story— and so, yay! As for actually physically inhabiting the character of Cristina and coming back.... For the longest time, it has always been a hard no. And it's just.... I don't know. I just don't know. When you finish something, it's a deep process.... I just cannot tell you.... I can't stress to you enough how consciously I tried to fully process leaving. I don't feel the need to revisit, but I also profoundly understand the audience's love for this character, because I've seen it for the past 10 years. That's the part that makes me just go, hmmm.

What Sandra Oh's Comment Means For Grey's Anatomy

Sandra Oh Left Grey's Anatomy For A Reason

Oh initially commented on why she left Grey's Anatomy after 10 seasons. She shared that she felt that she had fulfilled everything she wanted to achieve with the role and wanted to pursue other opportunities that would challenge her as an actor and a creative. After the medical drama, she co-headlined Killing Eve alongside Jodie Comer while serving as an executive producer on the thriller series that follows MI6 agent Eve Polastri (Oh), who becomes obsessed with international assassin Villanelle (Comer).

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In the same interview, Oh revealed that she initially auditioned for Miranda Bailey but felt drawn to the intern instead, so she asked to audition for the role. She also shared that the contract renegotiation around the time of season 8 served as a pivotal moment for her, and she took the decision "very seriously." After deciding to leave, she worked with the creative team to plan Cristina's departure so that the character would have a proper farewell.

Our Take On Sandra Oh's Possible Return In Grey's Anatomy

Cristina Yang Is Being Missed Sorely

Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey hugging in Grey's Anatomy season 2 premiere
Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang and Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey hugging in Grey's Anatomy season 2 premiere

Oh left Grey's Anatomy after careful consideration of her career. She has done so much in the past decade, and it seems that nostalgia, fans' love for the show, and the show's legacy have started to work their magic with the actor. Shonda Rhimes' long-running medical drama has managed to bring back many beloved characters. Even actors who left on relatively bad terms get to reprise their roles.

There's always a place for Cristina in the Grey's Anatomy universe, and the choice is largely up to Oh. With Oh having second thoughts about returning, it seems that one day, it might just become a reality. It's been a really long time since Meredith and Cristina had a dance party, and it'd be phenomenal if it happened, even just in one scene.

Source: EW

Grey's Anatomy Poster

Your Rating

Grey's Anatomy
9/10
141
8.5/10
Release Date
March 27, 2005
Network
ABC
Directors
Rob Corn, Kevin McKidd, Debbie Allen, Chandra Wilson, Allison Liddi-Brown, Jeannot Szwarc, Tony Phelan
Writers
Shonda Rhimes, Julie Wong, Jen Klein, Tameson Duffy, Meg Marinis

Cast

See All
  • Headshot Of Ellen Pompeo
    Ellen Pompeo
    Dr. Meredith Grey
  • Headshot Of Chandra Wilson
    Chandra Wilson
    Dr. Miranda Bailey

Creator(s)
Shonda Rhimes, Michelle Lirtzman

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