Isaiah Washington in the Role of Preston Burke
In the dramatic third season, Preston Burke left Cristina at the altar, then vanished into the horizon. He later earned the prestigious Harper Avery award and eventually headed to Zurich, Switzerland, to establish a cutting-edge medical facility. There, Burke built a life, complete with marriage and family. By the show’s tenth season, he reached out to Cristina, offering her the reins of his hospital as he stepped into retirement.
Isaiah Washington exited the series after an on-set confrontation where he allegedly used a homophobic slur against co-star T.R. Knight during a disagreement with Patrick Dempsey. Attempts to defend his actions only exacerbated the situation, leading to his eventual departure. However, it seems fences were mended with ABC, as he made a brief return to the show in 2014.
Reflecting on the incident, Washington later offered a public apology. He acknowledged the need for personal introspection, stating, “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.”
Post-Grey’s Anatomy, Washington took on the role of Thelonious Jaha in The CW’s series The 100, until his character’s demise in season five. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed Starz series P-Valley.