How A United States Tragedy Inspired Shonda Rhimes To Write ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Shonda Rhimes opened up about how a United States tragedy inspired her to write "Grey's Anatomy" in the early 2000s. The How A United States Tragedy Inspired Shonda Rhimes To Write ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ first appeared on The Blast

Shonda Rhimes, one of television’s most influential writers, is opening up about how she came up with the idea for one of her longest-running shows.

During an episode of Serena Williams’s “Stockton Street” podcast, Rhimes revealed that a tragedy in the United States was the driving force behind Meredith Grey, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, and the ABC mainstay “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Weeks before Shonda Rhimes’ confession, the “Year of Yes” author shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram after learning one of her former actors, Eric Dane, had passed away after his battle with ALS.

How 9/11 Played A Role In Shonda Rhimes Creating One Of Her Most Popular Television Shows, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

“Grey’s Anatomy” aired on ABC in March 2005. However, before it became one of television’s longest-running programs, it began with a conversation Rhimes had with herself after the tragic events of 9/11.

“And I said to myself, ‘If my life ended tomorrow, what will I regret having not done?’ And the answer was be a mom,” Rhimes told Williams. “So nine months and two days after 9/11, my daughter was born,” describing her adoption of her daughter, Harper, as an “amazing” experience.

But becoming a parent also presented challenges, said Rhimes, who later shared that she found herself staying indoors because of her demanding schedule. “You know, you have a baby, you don’t want to go anywhere. You want to be at home,” she said.

Being stuck inside also allowed Rhimes to consume more media, and that’s when the legendary writer noticed that the shows airing weren’t even slightly interesting to her.

“And so Grey’s was literally a show that I wrote because I wanted to watch that show,” she said. “I learned how to write TV by writing that show.”

Shonda Rhimes Learned A Lot About Television When She Was First Starting Out

The ABC medical drama has since claimed its place among TV’s elite, currently airing its 22nd season and continuing to draw attention during awards season.

And while Rhimes had never written television before creating Meredith and the rest of the “Grey’s Anatomy” crew, she implied that she learned the basics as she went along.

“There’s a lot of things I tried. There’s a lot of things I didn’t know if it would work,” she said. “And what was great was the thing in my head was the thing that audiences really wanted to see.”

Rhimes’s admission about her work on “Grey’s” has stunned some, who shared their surprised reactions on X, formerly Twitter.

“I did not know Grey’s was the first show she ever wrote,” someone shared. “D-mn. She did so well for herself.”

Why Shonda Rhimes Has No Problem Killing Her Fictional Characters

“Grey’s Anatomy” is not the same show it was in 2005, and that’s by design, said Rhimes. While speaking with TODAY, Rhimes explained why she’s not afraid to kill a beloved character of hers.

“My job is to be the keeper of the story,” she said. “My job is not to be the keeper of the fans. My job is not to be the keeper of my friendships with actors. My job is to do what the story dictates.”

Rhimes described her work as “hard” but also “really important,” adding that keeping her mind in the right place helps her create the best product.

Rhimes Has Looked Back On Faux Deaths And Wondered What Happened

Rhimes went on to call out Meredith Grey’s relationship with Patrick Dempsey’s character, McDreamy. While their relationship began as an on-and-off again fling, they tied the knot in a later season and remained married until Dempsey’s character was killed in a car crash.

At the time, Rhimes said the story called for McDreamy’s death, adding that keeping him would’ve made the show stale and “boring.” But after reflecting on some of the show’s fictional deaths, Rhimes admitted she’s often scratched her head in confusion.

“I look back on some of the deaths, on some of the characters, and I’m like, ‘Oh my God. I can’t believe I did that,'” she said. “Now in perspective, but at the time it was what the story dictated to me so clearly that there was no other choice.”

Rhimes Shared A Heartfelt Tribute To Dane Following His Death

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Rhimes’s long-running TV show was in the news in February 2026 following the death of one of the program’s former actors, Dane. He was 53.

The actor passed away after being diagnosed with ALS, or Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a nerve-system disease that causes loss of muscle control, according to Mayo Clinic.

Dane was part of “Grey’s Anatomy” from season 2 in 2006 until season 12 in 2016, according to The Blast. Following his death, several people affiliated with the program shared tributes and sent well wishes to the actor’s family, including Rhimes.

“Eric Dane was a beloved member of the Shondaland and Grey’s Anatomy families. He was truly a gifted actor whose portrayal of Dr. Mark Sloan left an indelible mark on the series and on audiences around the world. We are grateful for the artistry, spirit, friendship, and humanity he shared with us for so many years. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and all who were touched by his work,” Rhimes captioned a photo of them on Instagram.

The How A United States Tragedy Inspired Shonda Rhimes To Write ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ first appeared on The Blast