It’s been a long time since Sandra Oh exited Grey’s Anatomy, with Cristina Yang telling Meredith in one of the medical drama’s best episodes that McDreamy “is not the sun. You are.” In the 12 years that have passed, Cristina Yang has remained a fan favorite, with near-constant questions about a potential return. However, everything could have played out differently, as Oh originally auditioned for a different role. The actress opened up about why she fought to be Cristina.
When Grey’s Anatomy Season 23 premieres on the 2026 TV schedule in October, Chandra Wilson will return as Miranda Bailey — one of just two OG characters remaining after 21 years. I think Wilson would agree with Sandra Oh that everything worked out the way it was supposed to, as far as casting goes. Oh sat down with Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Dinner’s On Me, where she revealed:
