The Real Reason You Won't See Sandra Oh Return To Grey's Anatomy

As fans prepare for Sandra Oh's exit from her explosive role as Eve Polastri in "Killing Eve" in its final season, many may recall a similar dramatic exit when Oh left her post as Christina Yang in the long-running "Grey's Anatomy." Oh was certainly not alone in leaving the series, as only Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) remains of the original cast of five interns among many, many other fan favorites who bid the show goodbye.

Oh was on "Grey's Anatomy" for ten seasons which won her accolades and fans alike. However, her final bow as Dr. Yang almost came two seasons earlier. "I've gone through a lot of therapy over this," she told The Hollywood Reporter in 2013. "I started thinking about it because I had to prepare myself. I gave myself two years to emotionally let go." 

And, unfortunately for fans who may be hoping for one final guest appearance, Oh is certain that it won't happen. Is the reason Oh won't be making any returns to Grey-Sloan Memorial Hospital because it's just too emotional?  Or is there another reason she's said goodbye to the Seattle doctors for good?

It's been seven years since Sandra Oh left "Grey's Anatomy" and while many former cast members have returned Grey-Sloan Memorial — including T.R. Knight, Patrick Dempsey, Eric Dane, and Sarah Drew — Oh will not be one of them. During the premiere episode of the "Los Angeles Times' Asian Enough" podcast, she confirmed that she won't return, but that she really appreciated and loved the show. She also understands that not returning as Christina Yang might be hard for fans who aren't removed from the show.

"It's very rare, I would say, to be able to see in such a way the impact of a character," she told the podcast. "In some ways, you do your work as a bubble and you let it go. I left that show, my God, seven years ago almost. So in my mind, it's gone. But for a lot of people, it's still very much alive. And while I understand and I love it, I have moved on."

Even so, not returning to "Grey's" hasn't stopped Oh from wondering what Christina might be up to — especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Cristina, like I imagine all the healthcare workers, [would be] wickedly at the front line trying to solve the big problems," she told the "Asian Enough" podcast. "This pandemic [has made] the wealth gaps ... even more obvious and problematic, so [she] probably [is] attacking the systematic problems, not just the day in and day out."

With "Killing Eve" about to join "Grey's Anatomy" in Sandra Oh's rearview mirror, a new film will have the star hitting the open road — literally. An untitled estranged sister comedy starring Oh and Awkwafina is forthcoming. While details are scarce, Deadline said the story follows a "Jeopardy" crazy woman, portrayed by Awkwafina, who teams up with her estranged sister (Oh) for a mission to cover their mom's gambling debt. Together they set off on a cross-country adventure to win the funds on "Jeopardy." Between these two superstars, misadventures are bound to ensue. 

Obviously Oh has enough going on that even fitting a fleeting visit to Grey-Sloan would be tricky. Though her decision not to return may be disheartening to some fans, there is always a streaming service with those early "Grey's" episodes. Christina Yang lives on in all of her snarky glory on the web and in our hearts.