Grey's Anatomy's Top 20 Characters Ranked: You Won't BELIEVE #1!

Maintaining a devoted viewership is challenging in itself, but TV producer Shonda Rhimes excels at it, particularly with her long-running series “Grey’s Anatomy“, which has held its audience for more than 20 seasons. The show continues to captivate viewers with engaging storylines and a rich cast of endearing characters.

Since several original cast members have either departed or been written off “Grey’s Anatomy” since its debut, Shonda Rhimes consistently introduces new characters who can match the excellence of the originals. She achieves this by giving each character a rich backstory and narrative arc, ensuring that they fit seamlessly into the show’s existing dynamic. From endearing characters like Lexie Grey to charming figures such as George O’Malley, “Grey’s Anatomy” is brimming with memorable characters.

Patrick Dempsey Played Derek Regularly Until Season 11

The storyline of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ unfolds the day following a romantic encounter, where Meredith Grey, the primary character, stirs her male guest, Derek, who is later revealed as the new chief neurosurgeon at Seattle Grace Hospital – and her superior. Over time, he gains his famous moniker, McDreamy, due to his good looks, captivating personality, and talent for performing extraordinary medical feats on screen.

In the long-running TV show Grey’s Anatomy, there’s just as much focus on romance and melodrama as there is on medicine. For a significant period, Derek played a pivotal role in this intricate dynamic. His bond with Meredith Grey is one of the most iconic and cherished relationships in the series. Many fans adore Derek for his allure and undeniable skill, but not everyone shares Meredith’s deep affection for him. Throughout Seasons, McDreamy displayed moments of arrogance, self-centeredness, and glaring hypocrisy, with some of his questionable actions including performing a brain surgery on a pregnant woman to prove he could remove an inoperable aneurysm, and belittling Meredith for moving on while being married.

Jesse Williams Played Avery Regularly From Season 6 to Season 17

Jackson Avery first appeared on “Grey’s Anatomy” during Season 6, when Seattle Grace merged and formed a new group, known as MAGIC. He was one of four residents who moved into the territory previously occupied by this group. Initially presented as rivals to the existing residents, an incident from an episode featuring gunshots brought the remaining group together. It also softened the image of the initially unlikeable Avery, leading fans to fondly refer to the period as the MAJAC era. Jackson had a cocky demeanor at first, but his abilities justified it somewhat. He was much like any other resident until his grandfather arrived in the ER, confirming Jackson’s status as the ultimate nepotism case in the “Grey’s Anatomy” universe.

In the medical drama series, Jackson’s grandfather, Harper Avery, is renowned as one of the most influential figures in medicine. The Harper Avery Foundation manages hospitals and offers the prestigious Harper Avery Award. His mother, Catherine Avery, later Fox, also made a name for herself as a powerful surgeon, reviving Harper Avery’s legacy and renaming the Catherine Fox Foundation and award. Jackson, being one of the privileged characters on the show, worked tirelessly to uphold the Avery family’s reputation. His struggles offered valuable character development throughout his time on the series. By the end of his tenure on Grey’s, Jackson had become a skilled plastic surgeon and ENT, an involved father, and an active participant in his family’s foundation. He eventually left Seattle to utilize his privilege in addressing racial disparities within the healthcare system.

Jessica Capshaw Played Robbins Regularly From Season 5 to Season 14

Arizona Robbins made her debut on Seattle Grace’s medical team during Season 5 of “Grey’s Anatomy,” taking over as the chief of pediatric surgery following the unfortunate demise of the previous pediatric attending. Her arrival was marked by her distinctive style, with wheeled sneakers, a tiny Polly Pocket scrub cap, and an upbeat demeanor that provided a refreshing contrast to the characters’ often gloomy outlooks. Throughout the series, Arizona Robbins stood out as one of the most accomplished doctors, having started as a pediatric surgeon and quickly earning a prestigious grant to aid in the development of a pediatric surgery program in an underprivileged region of Malawi with poorly developed healthcare facilities.

In subsequent seasons, she embarked on an additional fellowship, focusing on mastering the challenging field of fetal surgery within six months, all while managing pediatric cases and motherhood. Arizona Robbins, known for her upbeat demeanor despite numerous traumatic experiences, is particularly recognized as the first openly and self-assured LGBTQ+ main character on Grey’s. However, her beloved relationship with Callie Torres sparked a contentious custody storyline, leading to her departure in Season 14.

Giacomo Gianniotti Played DeLuca Regularly From Season 11 to Season 17

Initially introduced on Grey’s Anatomy in Season 11 as an intern, Andrew DeLuca had an intriguing debut at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. On his first day, a tunnel collapse incident he encountered en route to work led to him participating in the rescue efforts, which caused some confusion as people thought he was a senior surgeon. This misunderstanding made his fellow interns suspect him of pretending to be an attending, but it didn’t take long for everyone, including the viewers, to grow fond of DeLuca. Apart from his quick wit, captivating personality, and surgical prowess, DeLuca is most recognized for his romance with the leading character, Meredith Grey, and his string of misfortunes.

During the early stages of DeLuca’s residency, his sister Carina causes him discomfort, his girlfriend Sam Bello leaves the country, and he experiences a regrettable misunderstanding that leads to an attack by his supervisor, Alex Karev, requiring hospitalization. Following this incident, it appears DeLuca has recovered, but his main storyline begins in Season 16 when he exhibits signs of bipolar disorder, a significant contribution to Grey’s Anatomy‘s portrayal of mental illness. In a similar vein, his impulsive and courageous nature puts him in harm’s way, leading to being stabbed and ultimately losing his life in Season 17.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan Played Denny For 23 Episodes

In the second series of Grey’s Anatomy, characters Preston Burke, Izzie Stevens (then an intern), and Miranda Bailey as her resident joined forces over a patient named Denny Duquette suffering from viral cardiomyopathy. Known for his frequent visits to Dr. Burke, even in the face of his deteriorating heart health, Denny’s charisma remained unwavering. Due to his critical condition, he was readmitted to Seattle Grace Hospital only a few episodes following his discharge, and from that point on, he would remain there until the end.

In the show, Denny was known for his humor, charisma, and flirtatious nature. He quickly developed feelings for Izzie, who disregarded the professional boundaries between doctors and patients by falling in love with him. This relationship significantly shaped Denny’s character throughout the series. Tragically, Izzie played a part in his death when she cut his LVAD wire to move him up the transplant list, leading to his stroke-induced demise shortly after receiving a new heart. Denny’s passing was one of the first major character deaths, following the heartbreaking loss of Doc the dog. However, Death didn’t seem to keep Denny away, as he made subsequent appearances in the show, returning alongside other ghostly figures from Seattle Grace after Meredith’s drowning incident. In Season 5, Denny was portrayed as a recurring character, appearing as Izzie’s cancer-induced hallucination. Despite his brief tenure, Denny remains one of the most cherished characters in the series.

Sarah Drew Played Kepner Regularly From Season 6 to Season 14

April Kepner debuted on Grey’s Anatomy alongside Jackson Avery during the amalgamation of Seattle Grace Mercy West, but unlike Jackson, she wasn’t able to survive the entire layoff procedure. One of the more authentic scenes in the series depicts April being dismissed due to an unfortunate mistake that led to a patient’s demise. However, she eventually proves her mettle as a skilled physician, even climbing up the ranks to become the chief resident. Interestingly, she also faltered in her resident exam, which adds a touch of realism since not everyone excels at tests, even in their areas of expertise.

Showrunner Shonda Rhimes is known for being tough on her character’s storylines. April, in particular, faced hardships after marrying Jackson, becoming pregnant, and discovering their baby had a lethal genetic condition. After the loss of baby Samuel, deeply religious April questioned her faith and delivered one of the series’ most impactful portrayals of trauma. At the close of Season 14, she moved away to help underserved communities with her husband, Matthew, but made a brief return. Her final scene on the show saw her and Jackson departing for Boston with their daughter, having rekindled their romance and hoping for a joyful future together.

Kelly McCreary Played Pierce Regularly From Season 10 to Season 19

Kelly McCreary’s character, Maggie Pierce, joined Grey’s Anatomy towards the end of Season 10, stepping into the role vacated by Cristina Yang, the esteemed cardio goddess. Unlike other fresh cardiothoracic attendings, Maggie had a pre-existing relationship with Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital: it was soon disclosed that she was adopted and sought to trace her roots, particularly in finding her birth mother, Ellis Grey. Intriguingly, this genealogical discovery also unveiled Richard Webber as her biological father, making Maggie one of Meredith Grey’s numerous siblings.

At first, Maggie didn’t quite gel with the audience favorites, a situation not unexpected considering her past experiences with bullying and her persistent need to demonstrate her abilities, given her young age. Moreover, she bears little resemblance to Meredith in terms of personality, being more upbeat and similar to Kepner in this regard. Despite the initial friction, it didn’t take long for Maggie to win over some supporters.

While Maggie may not be the most adored character on the show, many viewers find her behavior disrespectful and her character relatively unoriginal. However, she proved to be a valuable addition to the Seattle hospital’s cardiothoracic team.

Kim Raver Has Played Altman Since Season 6

In Season 6 of Grey’s Anatomy, the character Teddy Altman made her debut. Initially presented as a gift from Owen Hunt to his romantic interest, Cristina Yang – a dedicated cardiothoracic specialist – Teddy quickly caught Cristina’s professional admiration. Unbeknownst to Cristina, Teddy had a lengthy past with Owen, having served alongside him in combat for three years in Iraq and Afghanistan, and harboring feelings for him. Despite the underlying drama, Cristina was so impressed by Teddy’s surgical abilities and teaching skills that she considered sacrificing her marriage for the opportunity to learn from her.

In the world of Grey’s Anatomy, Altman stands out as one of the top-notch surgeons. She possesses a remarkable blend of skills and experience, but what truly sets her apart is her calmness and rationality, making her one of the most composed doctors in the hospital. Although her romantic journey with Hunt often steals the spotlight, Teddy’s character is deeply rooted in her complex love life. Her first lover, Allison, perished in the second tower on 9/11, prompting Teddy to enlist. Tragedy struck again when her first husband, Henry, lost his life on Cristina’s operating table, leading her to a military hospital in Germany. However, she eventually returned to Seattle in the Season 14 finale, carrying Hunt’s child, ensuring her continued presence in the show. Despite making contentious choices in recent seasons, Teddy remains one of the series’ morally upright characters.

James Pickens Jr. Has Played Webber Since Episode 1

Richard Webber made his debut in the premiere of Grey’s Anatomy, where his initial scene showcased one of numerous motivational speeches as the Head of Surgery at Seattle Grace Hospital. Despite not always holding the official title, he is consistently referred to as “the Chief.” Throughout the series, he assumes a mentoring role for every new surgeon, offering guidance and support. Additionally, characters like Meredith Grey and Miranda Bailey often look to him in a fatherly manner, as he has played a significant part in their professional development, having essentially witnessed Meredith’s personal growth over the years.

Webber hasn’t always been a beloved figure due to his tendency to dismiss other cherished characters and frequently portraying as an antagonist in various scenarios. However, it’s undeniable that he plays a crucial role in the series. He was the initial character on the show to grapple with a substance-abuse issue, being a recovering alcoholic throughout most of the series, and slipping up occasionally. Moreover, he has been among the three main characters since the very first episode.

Ellen Pompeo Has Played Meredith Since Episode 1

In the continuous saga of “Grey’s Anatomy”, a multitude of characters enter and exit the scene with differing levels of significance, yet none can deny the pivotal role Ellen Pompeo plays as Meredith Grey. She is the central figure, capturing attention from the very first frame, setting the stage for the show’s exploration of the delicate interplay between surgeons’ personal and professional lives. Meredith serves as the primary storyteller, her voice introducing and concluding many episodes, weaving a narrative tapestry. She is the binding element that keeps the story cohesive. Similar to Jackson, Meredith is a “Grey’s Anatomy” offspring, being the daughter of the legendary surgeon Ellis Grey, much like how Jackson is the son of the renowned Richard Webber.

In the heart of surgery, Meredith thrives, but it’s her vibrant personal life that truly colors her character. The opening episode unveils her battles with her mother’s Alzheimer’s and the intricate tapestry of her relationship with the late Derek Shepherd. Meredith is undeniably human, a woman of complexity, harboring a lifetime of trials, a knack for making tough choices that spark both admiration and criticism among fans.

She takes bold steps, navigates dysfunctional bonds, and carries an edge, yet she’s also a celebrated surgeon, a nurturing mother, and a steadfast friend. One might even label her as an inspiring figure, paving the way for a new era of television where young girls could witness a successful and powerful woman shining brightly on screen.

2025-05-21 08:30

Grey’s Anatomy’s Top 20 Characters Ranked: You Won’t BELIEVE #1!