Overview

• In the HBO documentary, Rhimes recounts challenging the network president during 2005 casting after being shown mostly white actors.
• She intentionally left character race unspecified in the pilot and declared she would not make an all-white series.
• Casting director Linda Lowy then broadened outreach to agents, leading to a flood of new auditions from a wider range of performers.
• The expanded search let actors previously considered only for minor parts read for major roles, shaping a diverse ensemble that defined the show.
• Grey’s Anatomy premiered in 2005 and returns for Season 22 in October on ABC.